Protein Shakes or Not?

I give milk the ~ 2 stars, it is ~90 cal for a cup of skim, 13g carbs/sugar *yes I kbow natural but my body has yet to differ natural and processed in way it reacts/craves more!*, 8 g protein, 0g fat...(although I feel whey protein is better for wlser’s post-op, higher bioavailablity). Milk is a highly nutritious beverage however, it only contains about 1% of whey protein. In order to get all the benefits of whey protein, you need to take a concentrated whey protein powder like whey protein isolate. Sometimes post-op people become lactose intolerant and can not do milk!

Soy is also a good protein, (I'd give it 3 stars!) less bioavailable than whey but a close 2nd in my opinion. Whey protein does not contain isoflavones or any other components with potential hormonal effects like soy does. I use soy slender soymilk in my decaf teas, they have plain, vanilla, chocolate, and cappuccino all have only 60-70 cal/cup & only 0-1 g carbs (vs. regular soy having 10-14g cup!)  http://www.westsoy.biz/products/slender.php I get mine at super Wal-mart, Hannaford or Price Chopper $1.68-$2.19 depending on location!

My opinion on NSA CIB (yes I nickname it crap-in-a-box) is less than 1 star for a protein supplement: (it is not that at all!) You are better off with skim milk * has double the protein!*! 90 cal/8g protein! http://www.carnationinstantbreakfast.com/Products/PowderDrinkmix.aspx#

1 packet if mixed with water! Is 70 cal, ONLY 4 g protein, 12 g carbs (7g are sugar). If mixed with milk, you get 12g protein for 160 cal, 25 g carbs (19g sugar)…. Remember they ask us to keep sugar in single digits a serving! Or not in top 5 ingredients of a package! CIB may help give you some sugar cravings, yes even the NO SUGAR ADDED Variety, and not a good source of protein…To me a waste of calories! (*my opinion, we all have to do what works for us!)

Now, my opinion on a 5 star protein supplement (if that is what your looking for) is any one of the following.....(Whey protein’s)

Here are all the sites *I* know of for ordering samples of protein.

www.vitalady.com (a 10 yr+ postop who runs this business w/ her hubby who is also 10+ yrs out!) www.wlssupplies.com www.bethsproteinboutique.com (she is a wlser in NY, where you can get my fav PVL whey gourmet) she is having a going out of business sale has some cheap samples left so look!!! www.bariatriceating.com *run by a wlser Susan Maria, she has written a book before & after WLS... www.enjoyhealth.com

I will say tastes CHANGE for many after WLS so if you find some now you like you MAY not like them postop....BUT I agree samples are the way to go! (*saves you money from buying a tub of something you can't/don't like to drink!) ''I'' don't think GNC has much that is tasty though....So ordering online seems to be best (for me)! Powdered pre-digested whey concentrate, or isolate or a blend of the 2 proteins are the kind/s that gastric by passers can BEST absorb! and are highly bioavailable. And so much better tasting IMHO and cheaper (70 servings in a 5# tub champion Pure Whey stack for $25.99 + 4.95 S&H = 44 cents a serving!!! (canned can be $1 ea or more!) good in a pinch though…Walmart has body fortress protein many like and is inexpensive although I can notvouch at all have not tried only reports online and in my support group.

http://www.vitalady.com/why_protein.htm read this about postop protein!

So what is Biological Value:

Method of rating protein. Biological Value (BV) represents a specific protein's nitrogen retention qualities in humans. BV indicates the amount of nitrogen (body protein in grams) replaceable by 100 grams of protein in the adult diet. The higher the quality of a protein, the higher the BV.

Protein   BV

Whey    100

Egg        97

Milk        88

Soy        71

Casein   70

Whey protein is a high quality protein powder from cow's milk. Milk has two proteins: Casein (approximately 80%) and Whey Protein (approximately 20%). Whey protein is more soluble than casein and also has a higher quality rating. It is often referred to as the "Gold Standard" of protein as it is the most nutritious protein available. Whey protein isolate is the most pure and concentrated form of whey protein available. It contains 90% or more protein and very little (if any) fat and lactose. Whey protein concentrate has anywhere between 29% and 89% protein depending upon the product. As the protein level in whey protein concentrate decreases the amounts of fat and/or lactose usually increase. Another way that whey protein helps manage weight is by promoting satiety, or a feeling of fullness. One recent study showed that whey protein was superior to casein, the other protein in cow's milk, in promoting satiety.

People recommend making them with WATER only (not milk, which adds 90-100 calories/12 g carbs and 8g protein *not the kind we can utilize well and drinking to many calories=defeat the tool) , drink within 30 min also!   You can buy a magic bullet blender to make w/ ice, sugar free syrups, Davinci now has 51 Sugar Free flavors! http://www.davincigourmet.com can order from or www.netrition.com (local in Albany NY S&H is $4.95 no matter how little/much you order! there 5# tubs of Champion PW stack is $25.99, tjmaxx has them sometimes also! Artisan roasters and torani’s are other makers! http://www.artisancoffeeroasters.com/syrups/index.html

http://www.torani.com/create/fpsugarfree.shtml http://www24.netrition.com/champion_whey_stack_page.html also if you find you like the chocolate, banana or strawberry (*I do not know of anyone who likes their vanilla!)

http://www24.netrition.com/syntrax_nectar_page.html netrition has nectars for $26.95 extracts, spices, 1 tsp powdered sf/ff pudding powder or 1 tsp sf jello powder etc... www.walgreens.com has MB’s for $59 free S&H or www.buythebullet.com has BOGO free, I think Target and other stores have them too!

***#1***

I like PVL whey gourmet flavors the best, White chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, caramel dip, milk chocolate, PB chocolate, blueberry, orange cremescicle....This is where I order it online: (2# tub $21.95) *check as prices of all whey has gone up recetly like everything w increased fule costs!!! http://www.a1nutritionproducts.com/buy/pvl/whey_gourmet

Most 120 cal 23g protein a scoop 2.6 g carbs 2 g fat.... 15 Flavors to choose from and more to come!

NEW Arctic Cappuccino Frappe, NEW Creamy Dreamy Milk Chocolate, NEW Radical Raspberry Smoothie, Piña Colada Breeze, Creamy Orangesicle Swirl, Creamy Caramel Dip, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Mocha Java Madness, Smooth Peanut Butter Chocolate, Strawberry Banana Smoothy, Blueberry Burst, Chocolate Chip Mint Extreme, Vanilla Ice Cream Royale, Silky Smooth White Chocolate, Rootbeer Float, Cookies & Crème Supreme.

SAMPLES no one has them I can find anymore beth ued to have them but she is going out of business now.

Runners up: Champion Pure Whey stack chocolate, banana scream or strawberry are good

Labrada PV 60 vanilla is good

IDS cinnamon/vanilla, mocha, Belgian chocolate

The Nectars (fruit based) they also have a cappuccino my hubby loves! Strawberry-kiwi, fuzzy navel, Caribbean cooler, apple, lemonade etc….

ANYWHEY is an unflavored protein. You can cook with it too!

(***70 calories a scoop/0g fat/1g carb (no sugar carbs)/17 G protein)

60 scoops/container

http://www.optimumnutrition.com/anywhey/default.html they have recipes!

I think 34g protein for 2 scoops/140 calories is DARN GOOD!

Made by optimum nutrition.

GNC carries it I beleive.

or online many places but I use this site frequently.

http://www.netrition.com/optimum_any_whey_page.html

$22.95/2.7lb container

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Caramel dipped apple shake:

3/4 scoop pvl whey gourmet caramel dip protein

3/4 scop syntrax nectar apple ecstasy

6 ice cubes

6 squirts (+/-) sugar free caramel syrup

Water to fill magic bullet mug (~5-7 oz)

Whizz up in mb blender yummy!

I also add 1 scoop (500mg) upcald and 1t ground golden flax seed to my shakes 

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Jamie's berrylicious shake:

3 frozen strawberries

4 ice cubes

30g of protein powder (i love pvl whey gourmet's vanilla/white chocolate or raspberry) ~1.5 scoops

1 glug/splash of davinic's sf coconut, almond & strawberry syrups

1 tablespoon of flax seed groud (optional this is my fiber but adds nutty flavor!)

6-7oz of sf kooliad any flavor (cherry/fruitpunch/strawberry etc, i like walmart brand strawberry best!)

*1 tsp sf/ff of one of the following flavors: white chocolate/cheesecake/vanilla pudding also for a thicker shake (optional)

Mix all in magic bullet blender...vaaroom!

Awesome for a pre workout boost! Note strawberries do add carbs!

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Jamie's pumpkinlicious shake:

5 ice cubes

1/4 cup plain canned pumpkin (keep rest in fridge for more shakes!)

30g protein powder (~1.5 scoops) i like pvl whey gourmet vanilla or white chocolate for this best

Few dashes of either cinnamon/nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to taste

2 glugs/splashes of either: sf davinics spice blend or gingerbread syrup 

1 t flasx seed groung (*optional my fiber but goes well!)

Whizz up in magic bullet! Yummy! Like pumpkin pie almost! :-)

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Peach melba protein shake

1 scoop syntrax nectar fuzzy navel (which is peach flavored)

6 ice cubes

1/4 cup frozen raspberries

3 squirts peach sf syrup

3 squirts raspberry sf syrup (may use 6 squirts of one or other also)

Water to fill mb mug (or some raspberry ice cyrstal lite!)

Mix in mb blender yummy!

I also add 1t golden ground flax seed and 1 scoop (500mg) upcal d caclium citrate powder to my shakes!

Enjoy 

Holiday Eggnog shake

6-7 ice cubes

1 svoop white chocolate protein PVL brand

7-8 squirts davincis eggnog sf syrup

3 dashs nutmeg

1 tsp sf/ff white choc pudding powder

1 scoop upcal D

water to fill Magic Bullet mug

whiz around! YUMMY!