I HATE PROTEIN SHAKES!! (sorry for all caps) (Xpost)

I told myself I could handle drinking them when I was trying them out during my pre-op phase.  Now that I actually have to sip them and TASTE them, I can't stand it! 

New Slogan:
**Protein Shakes: Much Better When You Chug 'Em!**

I'm drinking a naturally sweetened Bluebonnet (uses Stevia), and have tried chocolate, vanilla and mixed berry.

Does anyone have any tips for getting through this early, liquid only, phase???

I don't wanna have to go around buying and trying every other brand.  Afterall, they all taste like whey protein, right?

Thanks,
Chad

The first week after surgery I thought I would never get them down. At 3 weeks out I am finding them much more tolerable, but not quite to my pre-surgery tastes. There is quite a bit of difference in the texture and after taste of different powders. The first week out I preferred the GNC unflavored mixed very thin in a shaker bottle with orange crystal light. Now I like a 100% Whey Vanilla powder mixed with a little frozen fruit , sometimes with milk, sometimes with water/crystal light. I like the vanilla because I find that I can do more with it. A 1/4 frozen banana (or tsp of banana extract if not allowed) blended in gives it a real nice texture and banana flavor without having to have a separate tub of artificial banana flavored powder.

Experiment with the amount of liquid and blending method/time. 

I also like Capella flavor drops - they are unsweetened, calorie-free drops intended for coffee but work very well in protein shakes. The nut flavors (almond, peanut, pecan) and candy-flavored drops (almond joy, butterfinger) are probably my fav's.

CHAD,
Don't worry, you're not alone. And also, you're not in trouble.

There are a million different types of protein powders out there, and they all taste different. A lot of people swear by ISOPURE. Personally, I'd rather swill out of a pig's ass than drink one of those.

My big tip is Unjury. (www.unjury.com) I've used it for almost four years now, and it hasn't gotten old.

The best secret is the unflavored variety. I mix a scoop with a packet of crystal light, and call it good. Now, these years out, I blend up a scoop with spinach and apples for a veggie shake, fruit, SF pudding, Jell-o, tofu, whatever. I've mixed it with cottage cheese, yogurt, etc..you name it, I've mixed it in there, even minestrone soup. The unflavored, to me, only yields a bit of a creamy texture.

Another favorite is the vanilla Unjury mixed with Crystal Light Lemonade. It's like a lemon-creme. Not bad for breakfast, or before a workout.

The big picture is that you have to keep trying them until you find one you like. And, if you can't find a mix you like, work with your NUT to find something else. Did you know that alfalfa sprouts can contain up to 35% protein?

Just keep talking, and searching, and you'll find something that works.

 I totally agree...by my 2nd week post-op, I could not stand protein shakes, especially ISOPURE (pure swill)...still can't stand the crap!

I also agree that Unjury unflavored is about the best option.  It mixes well with most anything and doesn't add the fake choco flavor.  I've tried the Strawberry cream as well.  Still have a container of it I mix with vanilla yogurt.

The real key is finding one or two you like or at best can tolerate, then alternate between those.

Good luck!

Go to the Diet and Nutrition Forum and look up Liquid Proteins and Protein Drinks.  The Diet and Nutrition Forum is not set up as a discussion.  It has info on the various WLS diets and peer reviews of products.  I noted that some people have listed Syntrax products as Liquid Proteins but they are protein powders.  The reviews include carb, protein, and calorie counts as well as costs ( but we don't know when they were purchased).  For comparison purposes, I suggest going to www.netrition.com where you can look up the manufacturers and read their nutritional labels.  I've been using them for 10 years, but I've alo used www.vitalady.com and others who have supported this site.  Actually I buy DaVinciGourmet sugar free syrups at Sam's Club (limited flavors) and protein powders at Walmart.

All protein powders are not created equal.  I have tried a number of brands and believe this is one area where you get what you pay for.  First thing you want to consider is what type of protein is it.  Isolate is going to absorb better than concentrate and costs more, but you can find reasonably affordable proteins that are a mixture.

I ended up with the GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey protein powder and actually like it (more than I do food at this point) .  It doesn't have the after taste or chalky texture that some have.  It comes in a number of flavors including an unflavored, which is great to add to soup.

After you have a protein powder that you like/tolerate you then need to mix it up so you aren't disgusted by having the same thing everytime.  This is where Sugar Free Puddings, and syrups come in handy. 

MAKE YOUR DRINKS WITH 1% or SKIM MILK!!!
this will give you an additional 8grams per measured shake.

Add a bit of SF pudding to thicking your drinks up or make protein pudding.  Mix and match flavors.  Banna Shake with Choclate Pudding gets you a nice chocolate covered banana, or add some SF Caramel syrup for a Banana foster.  FF Half & Half along with FF Coolwhip (Frozen also make great additions when used in moderation. Using these techniques I have even been able to do a Jamocha shake almost as good as Arby's.  My newest is adding enough SF pudding to thinking the liquid some and then freezing them in popsicle molds.  Desert last night was 2 Fudgesicles which equalled 1 whole shake.

If you try GNC sign up for their gold card gets you a nice discount like 20% or something.  They also do sales where powders will be Buy 1 get one 50%.  If you stick with the same store and it is a good one they may even do price matching, I saw one store doing a sale and the store I go to wasn't but he gave me the same price the other store had.

Depending on you tolerance for dense food as you progress through the post-op diet you may be able to phase out you use of protein shakes, depending on your exercise and other needs.  I personally can't stand eating food at this point and when I am done forcing myself to eat I will usually go have a drink. 

Remember if you can't get your protein in it will make life more difficult for you down the road, with exercise and muscle loss.

Thank you, gentlemen for all the great advice. I've picked up some Unjury samples, and will see how those sit.

Just a couple days before I can add in an egg, or some mushy tuna...

OK, tried Isopure: bleh! What is that horrible filmy sensation left on my tongue. No thanks.

Tried unflavored Unjury in SF/FF Choco Pudding with/out a banana blended in, and it's quite tasty. Definitely tolerable.

As for mixing unflavored protein in cream soups, should I mix when hot, or cold?

Thanks again...I'll keep taste testing.

 If using Unjury, let the soup cool a little.  If it too hot, the Unjury just clumps up.

Another mixture I like is a cup of Decaf Coffee, two splenda (I like it sweet) a little skim milk or cream, and a scoop of Choc Protein powder.  Mix in the blender and it's like a mocha.  I sometimes have this for breakfast.

I just got my weekly newsletter from www.netrition.com and they're having a sale on New Whey 42g Liquid Protein;  they regularly have the 12 pack for 29.99 and it's on sale for 25.99.  Their sales are usually for about 4 days.