Premier Protein vs. Unjury
Premier Protein made me gag before surgery, but almost immediately after surgery I didn't like the taste of any sweet protein drinks.
Unjury makes an unflavored powder. It comes in individual packets but the canisters are much cheaper. A blender is indispensable.
After the first few weeks it was all I used. I added it to cow milk (110 calories) or cashew milk (40 calories), to cottage cheese and yogurt and also to (not to hot) soup.
I still make smoothies using ice, cashew milk, protein powder and flavor powdered peanut butter, unsweetened coco powder, sugar free syrups (banana and strawberry are my favorites) and once in a while I add 1/4 of a cup of good quality store bought juice like Boathouse "superfoods" or a small banana.
My taste buds changed a lot from early pre-op to early post-op to now. Initially sweet shakes really made me nauseous, so I exclusively used Unjury unflavored and Unjury chicken soup flavor. I don't use those now since my taste buds and tolerances have changed but they helped me out a lot!
Currently, I do like and buy Premier Protein's chocolate shake for convenience but I'm not a fan of the powder. I did find that the powder mixed okay (wasn't clumpy) but it just wasn't for me. I've not seen sample sizes of the powder anywhere though. I also like Quest Cinnamon or Quest Peanut Butter, they mix really well and you can get the single serving packets of their flavors directly from quest and I've seen them on Netrition and Amazon.
I also really like some of the Syntrax Nectar non-milk shake flavors such as the Lemon Tea and Fuzzy Navel, great quality protein and I like the change from the traditional ice cream/milkshake flavors. You can get single servings (15 flavors) directly from Syntrax but you have to order via phone, they don't sell it on their website. I also saw on a banner on OH that BariatricNutrition sells a sample bundle of syntrax (all 17 flavors).
If you can find single-servings of the protein powders that you want to try, you might want to invest in those first. Also maybe check with your local support group to see if they ever do protein tastings, or maybe you could coordinate with your friend that had WLS and exchange samples with each other.
I liked premier rtd before but for a while after surgery it was to thick for me to swallow. I started using Unjury Chocolate and the chicken soup ones. Thinner and easier to drink. Either one is fine now.
5'2.5" Surgery date/ 12-02-15 Dr.Valentine Boise ID
Highest:289 SW/212 CW 122
Goal/125-130
Goal reached at 10 months
on 9/24/17 4:37 pm - Amarillo, TX
Thanks for all the replies and information. I also got a message that was super helpful!
I will have the mola to try out a few single serving packets after the first of next month. I am open to anything so I appreciate all and any info! I know quest was awful for me clumpy and overly sweet. I have also had Jay Robbs unflavored in the past. I am pre-op so i'm wanting to get a handle on textures of shakes. Premier pre-made is good for the texture. I can also get it cheaper at Sam's Club. I have to look at it this way, I won't be needing regular groceries after surgery so it's really not to expensive.
Thanks again, so very much!
Mel