trying not to gag..

I am soon officially starting my 2 wk liquid protein phase before surgery.  I am having a real hard time with the protein shakes.  I have tried only two kinds-both chocolate--the whey kind from Wal-mart and the whey-bolic 60 (60g in 12oz water) from GNC.

Money is very tight, so I don't want to spend money on such big containers if I end up not liking them. I hear that my taste may change after surgery anyway. 

I have tried grape Isopure.  It was ok-didn't like the pastey film on my teeth and mouth in general. I have not purchased any SF syrups yet.

What are your favorites? Any helpful hints to get these drinks down? The GNC drinks have a full day's amount of protein that I would do in 2 6 oz drinks.  Expensive!! $4 for one drink although they sell the big containers for $56-59. If I could keep them down-it would be worth the cost to have to drink less in volume.

GNC sells smaller bags of protein powder for 15 bucks... might be cheaper... but they are in red and black bags... it is a lot cheaper to make your own protein drinks than to buy them... when I did my 2 week liquid diet before surgery I drank lots of chicken noodle soup broth... gave my daughter the noodles and meat I drank the broth... so that is another idea for ya...

the only shake i liked was

SF carnation instant breakfast
mixed with skim milk
and a scoop of unflavored designer whey protein powder

yum...been drinking em for over a year....

http://www.allthewhey.com/wpibvp.html

good with soy milk too

Also my fav.     The girl that runs this website is actually a friend of mine :)

They're so delish.

GNC normally has a policy that if you try something and don't like it you can bring it back.

I personally LOVED unjury chicken broth.  A little pricey - but it wasn't like drinking a protein shake.

I also used:

Nectar cappuchino + 1 cup skim plus milk + 1 envelope no sugar added chocolate carnation instant breakfast.  I found I could blend it with ice for an "iced mocha cappuchino" flavor or make it luke warm for an evening hot chocolate cappuchino (hint - NO protein powders can be heated very high...it needs to be just warmed...otherwise it clumps...)

As far as price...if it gets your protein in for a day and works out to be $4 like you said...$4 a day is probably far less than what you are spending daily for meals now.  It just seems like a lot because you have to pay for the big jugs all at one time.

Also....many GNCs will give out samples (so I have heard)

Also...allthewhey which Jen mentioned used to have a sample package...it was something like 7 individual servings for $9 so you could taste them before you bought a larger container of it.

Good luck.  I took norm's approach, especially on days when I felt like I couldn't get it down.  I didn't view it as something I needed to like.  I viewed it as medicine that HAD to be taken.  Granted....not a fun way to spend 2 weeks....but you do what you need to do.

Keep experimenting....

Pam

Hi
GNC will take back any protein that you don't like if you have the receipt.
they have a protein powder called MAX PROTEIN that is great the chocolate tastes like yoo hoo
they don't sell it online or at every GNC store only the franchise stores, so call & ask them
Susan

If you can, mix them with milk rather than water....just the thought of water mixed with protein powder makes me gag!  I really like the Nectar products. 

I do the nectar fruit powder line....
http://www.si03.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=23

The cherry and strawberry kiwi are the best flavors,  I get them from a place here in pittsburgh and they cost about $25-$27 a tub...they last me a month, so I pay $50 to $60 dollars for two, but you figure that's about a $1 a day.  I take one scoop in the morn with water and one before bed with a glass of water.  They taste like koolaid. 

The only protein I liked was Unjury Chocolate and Unjury Protein Chicken Soup.  I thought the chicken broth tasted just like Lipton's.  Anyway, you can only purchase Unjury on-line at www.unjury.com.  It costs 21.00 + S&H and makes 17 8-ounce shakes.  You can also purchase some samples.  Good luck!