PROTEIN ! ! !

Hi everyone, I'd like to take a quick poll as to who uses protein drinks and/or bars -- when and how. I have yet to find a powder/drink I can get down regularly without gagging. I can use the unflavored powders to supplement foods (like sugar free pudding) and I did try a 1/2 bar this weekend and it was OK. How much of a bar would be a serving? I thought somewhere I heard a half. Also, how about the soups and hot chocolates we can get at the surgeons? I do OK with those too. I like hot vs. cold liquids. What makes "the protein whatever" a "meal" vs. "liquids"? So I am looking to alternatives to shakes/drinks. Are there really any? How do they fit into our meal plans?

Hiya Miss Kitty, I am currently using EAS AdvantEdge Whey Protein. I get it at Eckerds or BJ's. BJ's has it in twin packs for about $12.00. I like it because it has a very mild chocolate taste. Just enough to be good without being over powering fake chocolatish. I mix it with CarbCountdown 2% and get aprox 38 grams of protein in a shake. I also use the Zero Carb Isopure fruit flavored. I put these in my trusty Tupperware cup over ice. ( I swear I am NEVER without that shaker cup, thanks Kathy! lol ) a 20 oz bottle of the Zero Carb has 40 grams of protein. As far as bars go I didn't like any of them until I discovered the Q-Smart bars from Quaker. They have a chocolate peanut butter one and a cranberry almond, about 120 calories per serving and 10 grams of protein with NO funky after taste. I also buy the CarbWell peanut butter ones...a bit higher in calories and still 10 grams of protein. I eat the whole thing and consider that a snack mid morning or afternoon or evening. I usually have one a day at some point. Great to throw in your purse for if you are out and don't want to stop to eat at a restaurant. I didn't like the soups from the docs office but I did LOVE the cinnamon hot chocolate. I have an appointment next week for my 6 month check and plan of getting some. Warm liquids saved me in the beginning as pouchy here didn't like anything cold. That resolved itself in a few weeks time tho and I can do cold with no problems. The hot choc or soup packets are another easy thing to toss in your bag. You can order ho****er for tea in most places and just mix it up! As far as meals vs. drinks etc. I don't really worry about it. I get the vast majority of my protein through food. If I eat a bar I consider that a snack. My usual day consists of about 6 meals. When I drink a protein shake or Isopure, I just count that in toward my liquids. I still haven't regained any signifigant hunger sensations. I eat by the clock in measured amounts. Usually 3 - 4 oz of dense foods, maybe more if it's runny. Here is a sample day for me at 6 months out: ( yesterday ) Breakfast: Oatmeal ( the new Quaker low sugar brown sugar cinnamon ) mixed with Carb Countdown and a string cheese. (13 grams protein) Mid morning: 1/4 cup almonds ( 6 grams protein ) Lunch: Salad w/ lettuce, carrots, onions,tomato, cabbage ( probably 1/2 cup total ) Sprinkled with sunflower seeds and ground flax. 2 oz thin deli ham with one string cheese rolled up in it and cut up in the salad with some ranch dressing. ( 24 grams protein ) Afternoon: 4 oz leftover cold meatloaf ( 24 grams protein ) Dinner: Healthy Choice turkey and veggies ( 18 grams protein ) Bedtime: EAS shake w/ Carb Countdown ( 38 grams protein ) 123 total protein for the day Some days I might have a Q-Smart bar in there instead of the almonds. It's just kind of whatever fits into my schedule that day. I drink lots of Crystal Light and decaf iced tea in between times. I wait 45 minutes or so on average after I eat to start drinking. I am never without that Tupperware cup at home and in the car. It's a fact of life now. I am ALWAYS either eating something or drinking something. Some people have alot of problems adjusting to that and say they aren't hungry or can't drink that much. To me it's not negotiable, like Nike says I just DO it lol. Must be working as I just hit the 90 pound marker this morning...yaaaay! Hope this rather extended...LOL...reply helps you. Linda

I am almost the opposite of Linda. I get most of my protein through shakes and drinks. I use the Syntrax Nectars (green apple, strawberry-Kiwi, Lemonade, and Chocolate) I also use Unjury in my morning oatmeal and if I have Crystal Light to drink. I'd say that I have protein in about 70 percent of my liquid. The other 30 percent is plain water. I eat a salad with cheese, carrots, cucumbers, and chickpeas for lunch. Dinner is usually chicken or ground beef of some form. But my favorite is Wendy's chili. I'll buy a couple and keep them in the fridge for those last minute dinners. My snacks are either a protein bar, nuts, cottage cheese, or beef jerky. I average about 120 grams of protein a day. I'm just over 5 months out and down 80 pounds. Ken

I too prefer warm liquids to cold. In the morning I use 24 oz warm water from the tap decaf instant coffee a scoop of unjury choc. or vanilla and a splach of Divinaci syrup. I count it as both my liquid and 20 grams of protein for the day. The rest of the day I use the unflavored protein powder in anything I drink (usually crystal light or SF Koolaide) and again count it both as liquid and protein grams. I am only 3 weeks out though, but by doing this im averaging 80 oz liquid and 80 grams protein. Right now I also only do 3 "meals" a day and thats hard enough lol. It is just easier for me to get my proteins in from the liquids..... Kristina

Ms. Kitty, I use mostly protein drinks, rarely use the bars these days. They are great to have on hand for when you are on the go though. I used to use Tri-O-Plex and thought they were wonderful ... however, they have since changed their formula and I no longer like the specs (although I hear they still taste wonderful). I think that protein drinks are considered a meal and fluids if the are combined with anything other than water. I believe that is what was told to me. I make one of mine with a few bits of frozen pineapple, carb countdown orange juice and vanilla pineapple proplete. Because of the added calories and the fullness factor, I consider this a meal or snack. But then I make another shake with water and proscore 100 and consider that fluids sometimes and then there are times I go ahead and count it as a meal and fluids. If I add ground flax or peanut butter to it, then it is a meal and very filling. As for alternatives, I really don't have a lot of information to offer you as I like my protein drinks, especially since I make them in my smoothie maker and they are my main source of protein. To me they are convenient, easy way to get it in. I consider them a real treat. But you can always do the protein puddings, add the unflavored to oatmeals and other foods, to crystal light, etc. Whether a 1/2 bar is considered a meal is dependent upon the stats of that particular bar. Too wide spread to really give a blanket statement. In the beginning I found a cookie (more like a little cake) that worked well for me to help me get in 15 gms of protein. I can't remember the name but it was sport cookie from Carb Busters, perhaps someone else will remember the name. I liked the trail mix one the very best. They also had some no carb chips with 15 gms of protein and 130 calories I think. They were made by BetaFoods. You can check them out at betafoods.com. They had two different kinds, some had some carbs, some did not. I really liked them at first, don't really care for them these days. But just thought I would through that out to you also. And of course, there is the good ole cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, cheese, chicken, beef, beans, etc etc etc. I really liked the soup, hot chocolate, kiwi strawberry, oatmeal, lemonade protein from the docs office in the very beginning. Now I can no longer eat the soup. The hot chocolate still works, but I can get the same thing with more protein per serving using my current protein powder and Davinci syrup and not have to make a special trip into the office. Which is a long trip for me, so I do that instead. But I really did like them and think they are a great idea, especially when out and about. The individual packets lend themselves well to travel. Perhaps you should consider ordering from places that have samples of protein shakes to help you find one that works for you. Also, have you tried the ready to drink varieties? Those were easier for me in the beginning than the thicker shake type varieties. I also found the fruity drinks easier in the very beginning than the chocolate. We are all so different, and even what works for me today, may not work tomorrow. Hugs, Tammy

I advocate the protein drinks, especially homemade smoothies. I have fairly "normal" meals but get most of my protein input from two smoothies per day, and my oatmeal morning "bomb". Don't like the bars, they remind me too much of my previous life, and prior craving of the dreaded candy bar. Easier to just look the other way, plus they never do much to help the appetite, and I have not figured out how to make one last 30 minutes without taking it out of the freezer. Your alternatives to shakes/drinks are the meats, fish (salmon and tuna), chicken, etal. Hey Linda, where do you buy leftover meatloaf? Rob

At the leftover meatloaf store...aka Mom's fridge while I was visiting