VF Smoothie Review
I just tried the vanilla , I used soy milk with it. I really wasnt jumping for joy. It was ok , but I think if I was even slightly nauseas I would not be able to drink it. They said there is not artifical sweetners in it but it does leave a after taste . They charged me $11.95 to try it (included large canister, shaker cup that was broken, some chewables of something I didnt try). If I do not call them within 10 days My card will be charged an additional $59.95 .Also they will be sending me a canister each month , in which they will automaticly charge me $79.95. This was my first try (except the walmart version that is tasteless, I like that one) .
My question to you all----Is this the average cost? Are there places that just send a sample to taste instead of a canaster that you need to return? Please tell me some of your experiences.
PS..Day 13 without smoking! Im doing very well , My neibor said I could use her yard to bury the bodies , since I ran out of room at my house!......................Kitty
GLAD to see your face on your posts kitty.
CONGRATULATIONS on smoke free for 13 days WOW
i do know the sites that advertise here on OH do
offer samples and in varities...i dislike most shakes
but love the ready made advantage EDGE shakes!
ALSO a good product is HOOD carb countdown chocolate milk
which i use when i mix powder shakes! MAYBE you will like the
sugar free carnation instant breakfast my surgeon suggests those
but for me it was too sweet for me ....KEEP trying and you will
find smoething but be ware, what you like now may not be the
same post op!
HOPE you can stop in tonights chat
lisa
aka: fr1endly2
Hey Kitty! I dont know, i tried a few protein drinks and i really didnt like them at all. The only one that seems to sit nice with me and does not have a bad aftertaste is the Jay Robb brand. I found it at whole foods store here in manhattan but they do have a website. Not sure if they would send you a sample but you can write to them from the website and they might. I am really happy with the chocolate and non flavored. I put it in my coffee everyday.
Good job with the no smoking that is great!!! 
Keep it up. Hope to see you tonight. LisaMarie
Keep it up. Hope to see you tonight. LisaMarie 
Hi Kitty,
I like the Designer Whey and the Jay Robb brand as well. Dean's Natural Foods in Westgate Plaza in Albany ( near Central and Colvin Aves.) has invididual packets of the Jay robb and other brands including Isopure. Jay Robb had fruity protein packs as well. I buy the individual packs and use them inbetween the walmart purchased "Designer Whey" (chocolate).
Hope this helps you out -
Linda
Kitty,
I don't know much yet about protein powder. I did buy a sampler from bariatriceating.com and have not tried one yet that hasn't been totally gross! I hear Anywhey is good. I'm tryin' that next. Don't know about prices either! Sorry! I just wanted to give you a virtual high five for staying away from tobacco! You go girl!
Hugs,
Amy
Kitty: (*warning long email!) 
I had never heard of this product you mentioned, so I googled it and found more about it: http://www.vfsmoothie.com/vfsmoothie.html
From the label they have it says 105 cal/serving, 17 grams carbs (12g is sugar! you may dump 
on this post-op especially if you added it to milk w/ the additional 13g sugar!), and only 10g protein (albeit a good source it is whey protein), (not sure fat content it doesn't list, and has no list of ingredients? humm that gets me wondering!) it is full of things I am unsure of what they are for or safety of etc. Basically it looks like a crushed vitamin, some protein, sugar and herbal diet pill into one! I give it probably 2 stars out of a 5 star rating! 
PLUS HOLY MOLEY it is $80/can for 30 servings! EXPENSIVE!!!! (I pay $21.95-$25.95 for 30-70 servings!) 
I give milk the same 2 stars, it is ~90 cal for a cup of skim, 13g carbs/sugar, 8 g protein, 0g fat...much cheaper too! (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)
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...
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) , 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) 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 AT: (beth's is only site I have seen pvl samples)
www.bethsproteinboutique.com $1.99/ea.
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
_______________________________________________________________
The key is find what you like, add water/ice use the magic bullet for a smoothie consistency, spruce w/ extracts SF syrup, a little sf jello or pudding powder and voila! I now use 2-3 frozen strawberries or 1/4c pumpkin in shakes also (watch calorie and sugar in beginning stages!) Skies the limit! I have over 24 sf syrups, 5 flavors of protein at any time! It doesn't get boring! Happy Sampling!!! 
Take Care,
Jamie
Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh
320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
I had never heard of this product you mentioned, so I googled it and found more about it: http://www.vfsmoothie.com/vfsmoothie.html
From the label they have it says 105 cal/serving, 17 grams carbs (12g is sugar! you may dump on this post-op especially if you added it to milk w/ the additional 13g sugar!), and only 10g protein (albeit a good source it is whey protein), (not sure fat content it doesn't list, and has no list of ingredients? humm that gets me wondering!) it is full of things I am unsure of what they are for or safety of etc. Basically it looks like a crushed vitamin, some protein, sugar and herbal diet pill into one! I give it probably 2 stars out of a 5 star rating! PLUS HOLY MOLEY it is $80/can for 30 servings! EXPENSIVE!!!! (I pay $21.95-$25.95 for 30-70 servings!)
I give milk the same 2 stars, it is ~90 cal for a cup of skim, 13g carbs/sugar, 8 g protein, 0g fat...much cheaper too! (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)
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...
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) , 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) 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 AT: (beth's is only site I have seen pvl samples)
www.bethsproteinboutique.com $1.99/ea.
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
_______________________________________________________________
The key is find what you like, add water/ice use the magic bullet for a smoothie consistency, spruce w/ extracts SF syrup, a little sf jello or pudding powder and voila! I now use 2-3 frozen strawberries or 1/4c pumpkin in shakes also (watch calorie and sugar in beginning stages!) Skies the limit! I have over 24 sf syrups, 5 flavors of protein at any time! It doesn't get boring! Happy Sampling!!!
Take Care,
Jamie
Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh
320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!" Most Active
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