Protein samples

I had my labs done last week, I don't think they were very good.  My PC called and left me a message with an appointment time for next week.  The message said they wanted to discuss my lab work and then the NUT called me at work yesterday,  to tell me to increase my protein right away.  They want me to do the shakes, I was never able to tolerate them and used the whey bullets in the beginning.  Now I use an occasional bar.  I'm hoping that if I mix it in my coffee, I can get it down.  Plus it's 8 months later and I can eat most anything now. I know it's been posted tons of times before but I never really paid attention since I wasn't using them.
So the question is where is the best place to get samples of  different flavors?  I don't want to spend a fortune again  just to throw them in the trash.
Thanks
Doreen

I have some no-taste protien powder that can be added to regular foods to up the protien content. I have not tried it yet, but other WLS patients swear by it. They don't have to do the shakes and just add it to whatever they are eating to help get in the protien grams they need. The stuff I have is called "Any Whey".

MELOPENS, WHERE DID YOU BUY THE "NO-TASTE PROTEIN POWDER"?  I WOULD LIKE TO TRY IT.  THE OTHER PROTEIN POWDERS MAKE ME GAG AND NAUSEATED.

THANKS,
JOY

I ordered the "no taste" protien from www.bariatriceating.com. It's called "Any Whey" from On. It's good because it's not vanilla and has no taste. Someone also suggested "GenSoy" no flavor if you can't tolerate Whey protien. I have seen the GenSoy on this site also, as well as in the organic/protien section of my grocery store.

I did get a sample pack of powders for drinks, but since you're so far out and eating regular foods, this may be something that works best for you.

Good luck!

 Vitalady.com has samples.  

Good Luck.

Syntrax Nectar is another company that offers samples and has awesome products. All I did was send an email request and they sent a 5 pack of samples for free and they were here in like a week. And boy are they yummy!! You can send an email to [email protected] (be sure to hit the zero and not the o). Just tell them that you want the free samples they offer and send them your address.

Good luck.

Denise

I just ordered some samples from www.chikenutrition.com last night.  It was a grand total of $3 for 5 samples.  I'm not very familiar with Chike, there are probably those on the boards with experience, but I thought I'd give it a try.

BTW, they are also an advertiser here on OH.

best,
amy

PS:  I too got the samples from syntrex (sp?) mentioned above. They were completely free, not even any shipping and handling and came very shortly after I emailed them  my name and address.  Also, www.vitalady.com has reasonably priced samples of many products.  Good luck to you.  amy

 I would suggest going to Walmart and buying a jar of the Body Fortress vanilla protein powder.  It's cheap and tastes pretty good and mixes easily into anything (not gritty).  This will get you started immediately without having to wait for samples to arrive.  

Use that vanilla to start experimenting with various recipes.  I have compiled a HUGE amount of protein shake recipes.  Shakes don't need to be gross... just doctor them up to taste good with different additives.  Here's the link to my Protein Book: http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-protein-book.html

Now is NOT the time to be picky.  It sounds like your levels are very low and you need to take immediate and aggressive action.  I don't care if you have to plug your nose and chug a protein shake... get it in.  Get it down any way you can.  Treat it like medicine if you have to.  

 Make sure you get a copy of your full lab results so you can keep track of things on your own (in fact, get copies of all your previous reports too).  I keep all my labs in a   spreadsheet.

Let us know how the doctor appointments go. 

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Here's a list of resources for finding samples.  I had to try about 4 dozen different kinds before I found a few that worked... so don't give up.

www.enjoyhealth.com -- I ordered their 21-flavor pack which gave me a chance to try out the Nectar and Champion flavors.  I found a couple that I loved.

www.bariatriceating.com -- They also have samples at reasonable prices.  I ordered about a dozen different flavors from their ale-carte selection.  

www.vitalady.com -- I haven't ordered from her, but I hear that many have had great success with her samples as well.

GNC -- They have a few varieties for sale but also often have samples under the counter that they give away.  I was in my local GNC the other day and mentioned I was having problems finding a vanilla brand that I loved and the sales clerk gave me 5 packages of 2 different brands of powder to try.  For free.

Also, if you're a part of a support group locally, ask the members to all bring you a scoop of their favorite in a ziploc baggie.  This will let you try a variety without cost and they are always more than happy to help a fellow newbie out!

Thank you for all the information! I do want to give one small criticism though....

In your book you have "rules" for the pouch and eating and most actually are what my surgeon told me NOT to do or are nothing like what my surgeon/NUT have said. I do realize that every surgeon is different, but I think it would be a very good idea for you to preface your "rules" and when you post that everyone should follow what their doctor has told them to do, as they are the ones faminilar with the medical research, did the surgery, and know the patients' histories.

Just my 2 cents!

 The "Pouch Rules for Dummies' is a set of guidelines that have been available since the 1980's.There's a lot of outstanding information in that article that most people don't even know about how their pouch works, how different behaviors affect the effectiveness of the pouch and how the pouch changes over time as it matures.  

Many times surgeon's don't give patients any information about how their pouch works and patients are left on their own to figure it all out.  Or they are given "rules' but not told why those rules are important.  Some surgeons are very good at educating their patients and giving them very specific rules, but unfortunately that is rare.

So the Pouch Rules for Dummies should be used in conjunction with what your surgeon tells you -- of course follow your surgeon's rules.  But remember that your surgeon isn't God and doesn't know every single thing about everything ....so you need to also do your own research on your own anatomy.  

Here's a posting of the Pouch Rules for those who want to see them.
http://www.amylhwilliams.com/pouchrulesfordummies.html