Shakes, powders, bars... which is best??

I am over 2 weeks out and am still in the "liquids" phase ****il monday when i have my first followup, i hope i can move on to soft foods? i am so bored with my current diet!!!)

Anyway, I am just now getting to the point where i know i am getting enough water in, (kinda,) and am trying to focus on my proteins as i know i am struggling there. I found out about http://www.ibariatric.com/ and was wondering if it was worth shopping there or if there was a local option (GNC maybe?) what are your favorite shakes and supplements?

I am currently drinking these Atkin Advatage shakes that have 15g of proteins and i know there has to be a better option but i am terrified of sugars at the moment. (I am kinda clueless about how much is ok .... i read somewhere 2 grams of sugars? I havent dumped or thrown up yet and i'd love to keep it that way!)



any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi KarlaAnne,

I doubt that you'll be on protien drinks for the long haul and it's hard to tell what you'll like and not like. If I recall, I think that the program at UNC moves you off of protien drinks, etc... and onto 'real' food pretty soon. That said, I found that GNC and Vitamin Shoppe had a pretty good variety of protien powders and bars available and the good thing there is that you don't have shipping costs and if you don't like them you can return them. I found that I liked the "AmericanWhey" from GNC the best. Of course, I still have a huge jug of it left. I guess my Dear Husband will be all set ... unless his tastes change.

Contact your program and ask them for the guidelines for protien shakes, powders and bars. They will be happy to share that with you. The reason that I say to do that, is that the dietary component of each program is where there is honestly the biggest variance from one program to another. How they have your progress and what they allow varies greatly. For example, there are a number of programs that go from clear liquids, to 'full liquids', to pureed, to soft, .... Mine went from clear liquids to soft, but took almost a month to go from one stage to another.

I hope I'll meet you soon at an upcoming event.

Barb

Barb! thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to ask when i go for my appt on monday and keep doing what im doing until then.. i guess i can hold out for 3 more days :)

i just read about the raleigh meet-up, i wish i had known sooner....! I'll have to join the group and get to the next one!

KarlaAnne,

Unless you have other plans tomorrow morning, PLEASE COME!!! We'd love to see and meet you. There's always room for one more. If you want to come, just let me know.

Barb

Wow, you can return a flavor you don't like to GNC?  I had no clue! 

I just took it back with my receipt. They were very helpful and pleasant. I was able to find something else that worked better for me.

Barb

I have taken many protein powders back to my local franchise GNC. They use it to give free samples. I get a refund or exchange for something else, whichever I choose.
Jane J

I don't like any of the protein shakes.  I am 8 months out and still use protein supplements on weekends when i usually only eat 2 meals per day.   I do protein bullets which are 42g of protein for 3 ounces.   I like the grape or fruit punch and usually just swig half of it down one day and the other half the next.   Some ppl add them to their Crystal light.  The best price i found online is here.

http://www.nutrahealthy.com/servlet/the-28/New-WHEY-Protein- Bullets/Detail

Take care and good luck,

Pam

Congrats on the wls. As far as protein.....I drink a protein shake every morning. I add coffee, davinci syrups and change them around to get different flavors. I like GNC protein powders...100% Whey and Max protein are the 2 I use. I like the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry from the Max protein. I have only tried the chocolate and vanilla  in the 100%Whey.  I tried the Wal-Mart chocolate and the taste was good but I found it grainer then GNC. But it is a lot cheaper. I figure I am worth the extra cost for GNC. My frappachinos are as good as Starbucks.  Good luck  with recovery and use your imagination with protein powders.
Myrtis

I love protein shakes, even at 7 months out.  I make sure I get 80-100 grams of protein a day.
GNC carries the BSN Lean Dessert Brand - just mix with water in a blender bottle - they are some of the best I have had.  I love the vanilla and chocolate and the other flavors are good too.  I think they may carry the Syntha 6 brand too, but if not you can find them online.  These mix the same way and are great.

I also use at least a half bullet a day and sometimes a whole, depending on what else I have had.  I do mix mine with crystal light and get in protein and water at the same time.  I love these.  I keep several tubes plus a blender bottle in my car all the time just in case I get stuck out somewhere and need something.  All I have to do is buy a bottle of water and I am set.

Good Luck!!!  You know, I always read you taste changes after surgery.  Mine may have slightly changed, but not very much.  Nothing has made me sick, nothing is too sweet.