Want my opinion on the best protein powders and shakes?
Hello everyone! Today Cindy asked me if I had some protein shakes and powders I liked more than others and as I was writing up my answer, I thought perhaps I would copy and share with everyone (mainly for those who have just gotten started). I was very interested in this type of info when I was first starting out. Please beware that this is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. It was a trial and error kind of deal.
To all you wise veterans, please feel welcome to share your favorties in response!
Laura's opinion on Protein:
Your tastes could change after surgery (though mine didn't really change all that much...at least in relation to protein) so you might want to buy small amounts for testing at first and then buy more of what you know you like. Here are my faves:
Favorite ready-to-drink shakes (already made) in order of preference:
1) Atkins Advantage shakes - They have a bit more fat in them than some of the others but they are darn good.
2) Myoplex Light - pretty good and definitely low on sugar and fat
3) Muscle Milk Light - These are good and you can buy them at GNC, but they don't have as much protein in them as some of the others.
I've also tried the ready to drink Optisource (which is what they generally give you in the hospital after surgery and it has the most protein) and they aren't as enjoyable. Very thick and they don't come in chocolate and I think chocolate or coffee flavor covers up the protein flavor the most. If you're looking for more protein, which it is likely you will be, then the powders are generally your best bet. Mix with skim (or 2%) milk or water. Here are my faves:
Favorite protein powders (in order of preference):
1) Max Protein - this is hard to find. Here is where I got it. https://www.seipharmaceuticals.com/products/Max-Protein.html
Max Protein is expensive but it is hands down the best protein in my opinion and it's recommended by: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/04/heads -up-max-protein.html (good site for us). Another great site for us is Nikki's site: http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/
2) Body Fortress - you can find this much more easily (walmart). Chocolate peanut butter is my favorite.
3) Unjury - this isn't my favorite but it's not bad at all. I think you have to order it online though. If you're looking for an unflavored powder to add to foods after surgery to get your protein in, Unjury is the best. You can hardly taste it, if at all.
I've tried a lot of protein powders but those are the ones I tolerate best above.
Two more related recommendations: 1) sugar-free syrups. A couple pumps of those in your shakes is delish. Here is where I got mine. http://www.davincigourmet.com/products/sugar_free_flavored_s yrups/
2) I invested in a Magic Bullet Blender before surgery and it is so awesome. Love that thing!
Good luck!
To all you wise veterans, please feel welcome to share your favorties in response!
Laura's opinion on Protein:
Your tastes could change after surgery (though mine didn't really change all that much...at least in relation to protein) so you might want to buy small amounts for testing at first and then buy more of what you know you like. Here are my faves:
Favorite ready-to-drink shakes (already made) in order of preference:
1) Atkins Advantage shakes - They have a bit more fat in them than some of the others but they are darn good.
2) Myoplex Light - pretty good and definitely low on sugar and fat
3) Muscle Milk Light - These are good and you can buy them at GNC, but they don't have as much protein in them as some of the others.
I've also tried the ready to drink Optisource (which is what they generally give you in the hospital after surgery and it has the most protein) and they aren't as enjoyable. Very thick and they don't come in chocolate and I think chocolate or coffee flavor covers up the protein flavor the most. If you're looking for more protein, which it is likely you will be, then the powders are generally your best bet. Mix with skim (or 2%) milk or water. Here are my faves:
Favorite protein powders (in order of preference):
1) Max Protein - this is hard to find. Here is where I got it. https://www.seipharmaceuticals.com/products/Max-Protein.html
Max Protein is expensive but it is hands down the best protein in my opinion and it's recommended by: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/04/heads -up-max-protein.html (good site for us). Another great site for us is Nikki's site: http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/
2) Body Fortress - you can find this much more easily (walmart). Chocolate peanut butter is my favorite.
3) Unjury - this isn't my favorite but it's not bad at all. I think you have to order it online though. If you're looking for an unflavored powder to add to foods after surgery to get your protein in, Unjury is the best. You can hardly taste it, if at all.
I've tried a lot of protein powders but those are the ones I tolerate best above.
Two more related recommendations: 1) sugar-free syrups. A couple pumps of those in your shakes is delish. Here is where I got mine. http://www.davincigourmet.com/products/sugar_free_flavored_s yrups/
2) I invested in a Magic Bullet Blender before surgery and it is so awesome. Love that thing!
Good luck!
Laura 
Thank you for the suggestions. I'm writing these down in my notebook. 
Follow me on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/seelessofme22
HW - 311; SW - 296; CW - 191; 1st GW - 190; 2nd GW - 180?
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."
HW - 311; SW - 296; CW - 191; 1st GW - 190; 2nd GW - 180?
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."
Great post, Laura!!! And a great way to pay it forward!!!!
I'll add my two cents:
Several websites offer protein samples - www.vitalady.com; www.unjury.com; and www.bariatriceating.com.
My personal faves are RTD's (ready to drink) shakes - EAS Advant Edge - I use the French Vanilla and Rich Dark Chocolate as creamers in my coffee. These are in a 4-pack at Walmart for about $5-6. I also love the Pure Protein RTD's - usually get them at Target or GNC-type stores.
My fave bars are the Pure Protein - strawberry shortcake and chewy choc chip rock! You can get these at Walmart, Trader Joe's, some Rite Aids, CVS and GNC-type stores.
Same thing with Power Crunch bars - My fave is the Peanut Butter Creme. You can get these at Trader Joe's, some Rite Aids, and GNC-type stores.
Thanks again!!
Hugs,
Tia
I'll add my two cents:
Several websites offer protein samples - www.vitalady.com; www.unjury.com; and www.bariatriceating.com.
My personal faves are RTD's (ready to drink) shakes - EAS Advant Edge - I use the French Vanilla and Rich Dark Chocolate as creamers in my coffee. These are in a 4-pack at Walmart for about $5-6. I also love the Pure Protein RTD's - usually get them at Target or GNC-type stores.
My fave bars are the Pure Protein - strawberry shortcake and chewy choc chip rock! You can get these at Walmart, Trader Joe's, some Rite Aids, CVS and GNC-type stores.
Same thing with Power Crunch bars - My fave is the Peanut Butter Creme. You can get these at Trader Joe's, some Rite Aids, and GNC-type stores.
Thanks again!!
Hugs,
Tia
My all time new favorite, and I saw this on biggest loser. Yoplait now has these pouches of frozen fruit and yogurt in the frozen section, you blend those with scoop of protein powder (I use Body Fortress Vanilla) and 1 cup skim milk and they are THE BOMB!!! My new favorite drink. Yoplait makes three flavors of the pounches; strawberry bananna, very berry and strawberry mango bananna.
They are yummy and packed with protein.
They are yummy and packed with protein.
Christy
Ok where can you find the chocolate peanut butter locally? I cannot find it to save my life!
RNY Gastric Bypass 1-8-08 350/327/200 (HW/SW/CW). I spend most of my time playing with my food over at Bariatric Foodie - check me out!
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