Overwhelmed by protein

My surgery isn't till March 22 but I'm planning early. I went to GNC to look at unflavoured protein and I just didn't know what to decide and the containers were huge. Seems like the choices are whey or pea protein . Something about the size of the container scared me. Maybe the hugeness of this decision for surgery i****ting me in different ways. Advice please. This should be simple. What's the best unflavoured protein.

pauline

I see a lot of people going out and buying unnecessary items before surgery. Don't over whelm yourself at this point. Concentrate on the approaching surgery, and the surgeon & clinic will let you know what is best for you and when and if you need it. Surgery is your main concern right now, with pro op appointments, optifast etc just take one day at a time.

I can't speak from experience because I'm not a fan of protein powders, I prefer the ready-to-drink. I have read from numerous people that pea protein is gross. I believe 100% Whey Isolate is best. You can buy unflavoured protein powder at the bulk barn, which I did and added to some foods. This way you can control how much you buy and if you don't like it you don't have to buy it again. But like someone else said, don't get too carried away as many people report their tastes changing after surgery and what the could tolerate pre-op they simply can't stomach post-op.

avoid pea protein like the plague...it is disgusting and it gets pasty and clumps. the bonus to GNC is that they let you return anything. open a container, try it, if the answer is blech...return it. the reality is that whey does not taste great either. but disguised in small quantities it may be tolerable.

I got some unflavoured. used a tiny bit to add to soups during full liquids...then i gave it away.

I ended up settling on premier protein which i get at Costco it is a blend of caesin and whey. I add the vanilla in recipes for cooking muffins and puddings etc. and chocolate i like chilled with two shots of decaf espresso, which turns it into my morning mocha.

i second what Ginny says....i found all whey isolate powders to be the same. Bulk barn is a good option to try small quantities.

I bought protein powders in the big containers thinking it would be smart - save money - it was a big waste actually. Two of the three different kinds I bought I didn't like at all. I am another vote for the Bulk Barn protein - it tasted good and I could buy in small quantities to see if I liked it. Just wait until after surgery as your taste buds do change and what you like now - you may not like or tolerate after.

Also I know Popeye's will give you samples at the store to try and will help you decide what protein is best for you

My surgeon has us on full liquids three days after surgery for four weeks so I'm thinking unflavoured would allow me to add protein to broths and yogurt. I think I will try bulk barn though. Good advice in clumping pea protein . I'll be glad when I get to real food stage. Between preop and post op I'll be living essentially on chemicals and artificial sweeteners for seven weeks.

I agree with everything that was said... don't buy in advance or stock up. It's a waste of money.

Another option for adding to soups etc is skim milk powder instead of protein powder. Less chemical, and also high in protein.

you want whey protein.. it's the best one for us to be able to absorb after surgery

Bulk Barn has unflavoured in the bins so just go buy one scoop. Also if you plan on adding to anything hot if it's too hot it will curdle and be disgusting. You have to make sure it's not too hot. You can add it to cold stuff too and don't be fooled by unflavoured thinking it means tasteless because there is a taste just not an added flavour. I forget the name of them but you can get protein powders at GNC that are more like a fruit drink and they are nice for a change from that clumpy, creamy crap. Splash comes to mind but I could be wrong. They change the names often but you could ask them if they have a whey protein that is more like a thin juice than the milky ones and they should be able to help.