Flavor busters' 1st report

Hello, For those of you I haven't talked to, my name is Tania and I will be having the LapBand surgery on Feb. 14th. I have been reading this list and others for over a year. One thing I dreaded was the protein drinks. I was overwhelmed with all the choices and had heard a lot of negative things about the taste. So, I'm experimenting with different stuff and different flavors. I will report to the group what I try and see if anyone has any additions. First day ingredients-------Body Fortress Vanilla (Wal-Mart or Target), Nestle's Fat free/Carb select hot cocoa, and DaVinci's sugar-free caramel syrup. Results: Body Fortress Vanilla is actually pretty good by itself!! I was surprised. I added a half package of the hot cocoa to 2/3 of it and again, very tasty. I took the other third and added a tablespoon(or so) of the caramel syrup........ok, I could drink it, but nothing special. Then I added the chocolate mix to the caramel mix........wonderful. So, this report is positive all the way around. Enjoy!!! And please send your additions to the subject.

Tania, It's wonderful that you are being so excited about this...and I really don't mean to burst your bubble....but.... Post-op, your taste buds change BIG TIME. What tastes good today, may taste like crap tomorrow. What you can't stand today may be your favorite post-op. Who knows why???? Pre-op, I HATED anything peach flavored (loved peaches though), post-op from my RNY, my favorite drink was Crystal Light's peach tea. Had my RNY revision and couldn't stand the stuff. So...it really doesn't do much good to taste test anything pre-op. Buy small quantities of whatever you do get or you will find yourself donating ALOT. Sherri

HI Sherri, Thank you so much for your response. Yes, I understand that is possible and likely . Meanwhile, I still have to consume these 2 weeks prior to surgery so, I was just trying to help out folks who couldn't see past the 'mix one scoop with water'. When I first heard about drinking protein it just sounded plain awful!!! So, I thought I would just help those getting started and having to do the pre-surgery stuff. If it changes after then there isn't much we can do about it. The tub of body fortress was only $12 and will last me long after the surgery (it's huge), so it wasn't a huge investment. Also, the DaVinci syrups (Wal-mart) were $3.50 and I can see potential other uses for those later besides adding to protein drinks. Did you know that the DaVinci line on-line includes sugar-free Toasted Marshmallow, Creme de Menthe, Peanut Butter, Amaretto, Khalua, and about 20 other exotic and unusual flavors. These would be terrific for flavoring just about anything. Total sugar, carb, fat and calorie free!! Nothing but flavor............and Splenda.

Hehehe...honey, you are talking to the sugar-free queen! I have about a dozen of DaVinci's sf syrups. I also have a sno-cone maker...to which, I use the syrups with. So far, root beer is my favorite! Sherri

That wonderful!!! Please share with everyone other ideas. I'm thinking the Coconut could somehow be used to make grilled coconut shrimp. When we get our bonus I'm going to order some of the flavors I can't find around here. Have you found them somewhere. I found a few at Wal-Mart, but RootBeer was certainly NOT one of them, LOL Tania

Hey I just wanted you two to know that I also have found and like cal, carb, fat, and sugar free salad dressings.... They are pretty good and come in a ton of flavors. They are mad by Waldon Farms and they also make several other sweet products that are all zero everything. I like the marshmellow fluff. I mix it with some ff cream cheese and dip fruit in it. (thanks Pamela for the idea) I would have to say that I like all the dressings, but my fav is bacon. Blessings, Carmen PS you all I see the PS on Wednesday at 2:45!!!! I am soooo excited, so wish me good luck!

I bought alot of Waldon things at our local LoBills but they still dont have the marshmellow fluff. I loved that dip so much pre surgery for fruit that I even now make the kind I shouldnt be eating on rare occasions....but I would love to find the sugar free type. Where did u buy it at Carmen ...did u get yours online or Costco?? I got your card in the mail today also ...so I just wanted to thank you for that. Im glad u like the fruit dip recipe too!!! Good luck at the plastics today. I got the name of a guy from a girl here at work tonight that had her tummy and thighs done after rny and she swears by him so I'll have to share that with u when I get home...I left it out in my car. Andys flying home tonight....So the next 2 days we will be cleaning out the basement AGAIN. I'll be so glad when we get that done. Pamela

I agree with Sherri, my taste totally changed and I wasted alot of money on protein. But we had RNY, and your having lapBand so we should defer to Jodi on this one as she had lapBand and did awesome. Where are you Jodi? You might want to ask If lapbanders taste changed on the LapBand board. I'm putting my vote in for profect, quick and easy, as most protein drinks make me sick to my pouchie. I also drink a ton of milk. Good luck and congrats on your upcoming surgery. Sarah