PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN

Confession - I am not getting in NEARLY enough protein. That is going to change though. I am going to the vitamin shoppe today and I am GOING to get a protein powder. 

Now is where I need advice. 

Protein powder brands that are good along with flavors? I don't want anything fruity. I want something I can doctor it up to make it real good. Last night I made isopure chocolate powder shake and it was DISGUSTING. I don't want anything disgusting!! 

At this point I am so desperate because I haven't been getting protein in and I know it needs to change. I have click but I can't drink it everyday because of the caffiene and it only has 15g of protein in. I need to be getting in at least 70 gr a day. I figure if I find a shake  I can make with milk and get 30 gr in and have it for breakfast and before bed then I will be so much better off. 

I know there have been posts about this before and my next hour will be searching all the previous posts. I am so ready for this. Please give me some help! 

Ok, so here's a secret I try not to harp too much about (lest nobody will come to my blog for recipes anymore!)

It doesn't matter what protein powder you use. It could be any powder. Why?

Protein powder is an INGREDIENT in a good protein shake. It, in and of itself, is not the protein shake.

I have not found one protein powder I could not make at least tolerable with the right ingredients. Even Unjury (which, btw, I don't dislike the taste of. It's that smell!).

Check out Bariatric Foodie and get acquainted with one of the many shake recipes there. Check out Eggface's site. You'll see we both adhere to the philosophy that protein powder is just one part of a whole good shake.

But for the record, there are some powders I use to make ok shakes and some I use to make AWESOME shakes. Here's what I like (which, in all fairness, may NOT be what you like)

-Syntha-6 chocolate peanut butter: one of the few powders I'd drink by itself without adding anything.

-Any of the Nectars (they make chocolate, vanilla, etc.)

-Pure Protein

-Body Fortress (from Wal-Mart)

I wish you good luck finding YOUR protein and for great shakes to come!

I use GNC's Vanilla Whey Protein Isolate, it has 28 grams if protein.  I mix it with skim milk and I dilute instant coffee for taste.  Mix in a blender ball cup that takes 28 oz of liquid.  Total, it's about 55 grams of protein.  It's the only thing I have found that I could drink.  If I have time, I place it in the freezer to get a little slushy.  It is sooo good.

Also the Click can be made with 16oz skim milk and it will be 31 grams protein and adds to your fluid for the day.

It would also end up with more carbs than protein. Not a boatload more but more. 31g protein: 36g carbs. You have to be careful about how you add to your protein drinks or you can easily tip the balance and eventually it ceases to be a protein drink anymore.

In this case it's not bad, but you ideally want your protein in a protein drink a LOT higher than your carbs and you definitely don't want your carbs to be higher.

I would dump from so many sugars.

I tried a whole crapload of protein powders (thanks to Vitalady's samples) and the one I like the best is Unjury, which Nik hates the smell of. My point being...any of us can recommend a brand to you, but individual tastes vary, so you have to figure it out on your own.

I love Unjury Chicken Soup protein! One scoop in 8oz of water and you have a nice cup of soup (tastes just like Lipton to me) with 20 grams of protein.

I also like Unjury vanilla, but that one I throw in a blender with 8oz skim milk, a few ice cubes, and a small banana. Yum! 28 grams of protein.

If you have access to a Sam's Club or a Costco, Premeir Nutrition RTD shakes are yummy and have 30g of protein. Tastes like chocolate milk to me.

Good luck finding one you like!

I never found a protein powder I liked just mixed with milk or water.  However, I found nearly any brand works fine in a good shake.

Try making your shakes different ways.  My favorite is skim milk, vanilla protein powder and a spoonful of Maxwell House International French vanilla cafe mix.  I put it in the blender with a handful of ice.  I think it tastes a lot like an expensive coffee drink you'd buy at Starbucks or somewhere like that.

But try different things.  Try chocolate protein powder with coffee and ice.  Or chocolate with a banana and ice.  Or vanilla with half a banana and a handful of frozen strawberries.  Experiment with different things.

And try hot drinks, like hot chocolate with chocolate protein powder, topped with the low sugar cool whip.

You know what else worked really well for me?  Protein ice cream.  I would basically make a shake in the blender, then pour it in the ice cream maker.  I loved the one with French vanilla cafe mix, with a handful of sugar free chocolate chips added.

Definetly Jay Robb chocolate no sugar low cal low carb and its good

This kind of thread makes me laugh a bit - because the answers are all so different!

I can't stand the smell of vanilla or unflavored protein powder. And I don't like the overly sweet cookies & cream type flavors. And I don't like having to order proteins. And I don't use caffeinated beverages so Click is out.

So my choices are for pure convenience - Body Fortress at WalMart is far and away the best deal you will find. GNC AMP protein is less sweet and if you don't like it, they will accept returns. I stick pretty much with chocolate flavors.

Lately I am using Premier Protein ready to drink shakes from Costco. I blend in a little water and extra ice to get it to a thinner consistency, which I like much better.

And ultimately, I switch off every so often just for some variety. But nobody likes exactly the same ones it seems - I once drove a friend to a far off health food store to get a type that she swears by. I got a tub on her recommendation....and found it flat and flavorless. Who knew?

And the comments about experimenting with recipes is right on the money! It's well worth the investment in a few SF syrups and a good blender! My favorite is one of the easiest - caramel hot cocoa with a little salt.

Now all that being said - I *do* enjoy browsing at the Vitamin Shoppe!