protein shake challenge - who wants to play?

There's a pumpkin cheesecake shake recipe on BF if you want to check it out.

Pumpkin also pairs well with caramel so I put a splash of SF caramel syrup in anything I put pumpkin in.

I've been putting a little caramel syrup in my pumpkin cheesecake stuff.  I'll check out that recipe, that might work better for me.  Thanks.

I'll play! Can always use new ideas!

1. I have pro flex (Melaleuca) vanilla and Jay Robb chocolate, I've also tried syntrax nectar vanilla bean torte. They're the soy free brands that I've found so far. I like Jay Robb and syntrax the best.

2. I've mixed with horizon 1% and water.

3. Since surgery Oct 13, I've only mixed in a shaker bottle. Tried one in a blender but taste and volume got it dumped out.

4. Add-ins presurgery were sf pudding mix, sf hot chocolate mix, sf syrups, Greek yogurt, almond butter, chia seeds. Post surgery I've added a bit of hot chocolate powder and that's about it.

5. The issue I'm having is they're too sweet and make me nauseous.

6. I like vanilla and chocolate both. Not as big on fruity flavors unless I can find one that really tastes like fruit.....or an original orange Julius.

7. I've tried protein hot chocolate, hot cider with vanilla protein, Kelly's latte, and chai with vanilla protein.

When was your surgery? That might be a function of being new out (if you are). Lots of people have a heightened sense of sweetness the first few months after surgery and that usually evens out a bit. I'd suggest using unflavored protein powder along with your other ingredients if you haven't already tried that. LIke for your cider and whatnot. That way you only have sweetness coming from one source.

Nik, it was Oct 13. I never thought to add unflavored to anything sweet. Yea, everything right now is wayyyy too sweet. Thanks for the idea!

Thanks for the ideas! I too find everything way too sweet. And I am having trouble getting past a psychological issue because the one and only time I vomited was trying to drink a protein shake... The sweet, and protein smell just sent me over the "edge." Now in my mind I am "sure" that I am going to smell that protein smell and that it will make me gag....

Hoping I can get over this, because I need to supplement my protein with a shake!!!

A lot of people have problems with things tasting too sweet right after surgery.  I think that often goes away in time.  Or at least improves. 

You could use less protein powder or more liquid to dilute the sweet flavor.  Of course, you'd get less protein that way.  But then, if it's so sweet you can't stand to drink it, you're not getting much protein that way either.

Coffee can cut the sweetness some, I think.  Or what about adding unsweetened cocoa to your chocolate shake?

If none of those things make them un-sweet enough you might want to try the Unjury chicken soup or just try adding unflavored protein powder to savory foods.

I've cut out the chocolate and just use the vanilla, I find that its not as sweet. Half a scoop but at least its protein. And since I made the latte its sooo much easier to drink!!

This may be just what I need because I am really struggling to get my protein in! No matter what I try, I can't seem to stomach these protein supplments.

1. What brands of protein shakes have you tried so far? And what flavors? Isopure (vanilla, chocolate, unflavered, orange juice ones), Oh Yeah(strawberry,chocolate) Pure Protein (chocolate, vanilla) Unjury chicken soup, unflavored

2. What are you mixing your protein powder with (skim milk, soy milk, water)? I normally mix them with skim milk, or Over the Moon fat free milk (it has extra protein)

3. How are you mixing your shakes (in a blender bottle, in a blender)? I use a blender bottle

4. What other ingredients have you tried adding to your shakes?
I mixed a scoopful of vanilla powder in a mug of hot cocoa, I couldn't finish the whole thing.

5. What specifically have you not liked about the shakes you've tried? The taste, the texture (too thick)

6. What sort of flavors do you like? Do you like chocolate, or dislike chocolate? Do you like coffee? Do you prefer fruity flavors? I love coffee, chocolate, fruity if not really sweet

7. Have you tried protein powder in warm drinks? Yes, hot chocolate

How much liquid are you adding to your shakes? You mentioned they are thick and that's what you don't like about them. Milk should be about 8 oz. If that's still too thick you can add about 2 oz. of water before you start to minimize the flavor.

Kelly's suggestion of coffee above is a good one. The amount you use determines what flavor you come out with. Just a teaspoon won't register as coffee, but as a more intense chocolate (in a good way). If you put 1.5 tsp then you'll start to "get" the cofffee flavor. Also unflavored cocoa powder (the kind for baking) can do wonders for a chocolate shake, especially if you like dark chocolate since unsweetened cocoa adds a bitter offset to the sweetness.