AchievOne

So, I had "won" a bottle of AchievOne at the Lunch Bunch.  I was a little hesitant to try after my last protein experience.  But, I took the bottle of AchievOne to work with me today and I thought it was GREAT!!! Such a different experience than the last time.  So, I'm wondering if anyone knows if I can get these locally or do I have to order online?  Also, are there other RTD's similar that taste as good?  And, is there a recipe using protein powder that would be similar in taste?  This thing got me excited today that I may just be OK with protein drinks after all.

Let's put it this way.  I just so happen to know where there are 3 1/2 cases, but I will never give my address. LOL You have to order them online.  Bariatric Eating has them  for 29.99 a case, 12 bottles.  Sometimes they offer 4 cases for $99; flavors are vanilla nut, mocha java, hazelnut, & cappuccino Glad to hear you found something you liked.  Beats Starbucks Frappuccino's which have over 30 grams of sugar! Let's see if I can answer your questions.  Yes there are other RTD's that taste good.  Labrada Lean Body Chocolate is wonderful.  I add water to it because it is thick and sweet.  You can add water until you get it to your liking.  Makes it last longer too! protein powder concoctions that you can do after surgery that is similar to achievone? Well kinda sorta..  I no longer like achievone as much as I used to.  I love love love my chocolate matrix and syntha 6 moccachino!  I will do 3/4 scoop of chocolate Matrix, 1/8 of a scoop of mochachino and one sleeve of sugar free kroger malt chocolate milk mix.  Makes it very creamy!  Very chocolately! 

Melinda... I loved this thing.  It tasted really good to me and not yucky at all.  I am thinking about ordering a case but kind of wondering what flavor to go with.  I'm going to do a little protein mix experiments with the samples you gave me.  I went to Wal Mart the other day and bought 4 bottles of the DaVinci syrups (SF) and bought a carton of the Hood's Calorie Countdown.  I'm excited to play around with it a little.  So, I'm guessing that amount of a scoop you add is trial and error?  So, if you are adding syrup to it then is that the same?  I guess what I'm getting at is, I want to know how much protein I'm getting in a drink.  And, when making the drink, is it standard that 1 scoop per 8 oz liquid?  So, could you do half water and half milk?  Or does that matter or is it to taste? Have you tried instant coffee grounds mixed into the drink?  OK, enough questions for tonight I guess.

Melinda, can you speak about the caffine that is in AchiveOne...??  Should we be concerned about it??

Surgeons have differing views on caffeine...  some say no caffeine for 6 mos...  others say stop it all together.  I do drink one cup of coffee a day, 1/2 caff.  Also, sometimes decaf.  I don't drink tea (maybe 1 glass every 2 mos) so caffeine isn't really an issue other than my coffee habit...  With the AchievOne, they do contain caffeine.  One lady recently on another thread said she has stayed free and clear of caffeine since her surgery and after having an AchievOne, she said it wired her up! But, she said she loved it so much that she kept on drinking it!? I was making espresso and doing that every day.  I did get a little concerned about the strength of the espresso and have squelched that.  I have been planning on biting the bullet and buying some Starbucks decaf espresso.  Not sure if everyone knows, but there is decaf espresso.  Kind of ironic, huh?

If I may add my 2 cents on the caffeine question... I specifically asked about caffeine prior to my surgery. I was concerned because I LOVE my coffee. I love the smell, the taste, everything about it. My surgeon told me I could still have it. I do make sure to take my Pepcid every day because I usually have 2 or 3 large cappuccini or latte's each day. That is the equivalent of 8 - 12 shots of espresso. There is some disagreement on the effect of caffeine on appetite. Some nuts say it stimulates the appetite, others say it suppresses the appetite. I find that it suppresses my appetite because it is so comforting to me. I do make sure I drink extra water because of the caffeine. I say, if caffeine does not leave you too wired to sleep or cause other tummy troubles, go for it. If you are concerned, there are some very good decaf products available. The most important thing is to use fresh, quality beans.  The same is true for decaf teas. A quality, decaf tea is going to taste as good as a caffeinated tea.

SuseeQ... good point about the appetite. I never even gave it a second thought.  I am really new to coffee... never liked it prior to surgery and still it took quite a getting used to after surgery...  but I like the protein coffee concoctions that i have...  I think it stops my appetite too now that I think about it.  In the mornings, I use it as my breakfast.  Instead of eating breakfast and having an early morning protein drink, I have a coffee and a protein shake...  usually around 6:30 and then later between 8-8:30.  It really helps me as right now this is the pattern I followed today, and I just got done eating my yogurt and its 9:55.  I feel full and not wanting a single thing until my lunch... For those who do want "some" caffeine, there is a 1/2 caff...  that gives you a little pep!

You might also try EAS AdvantEDGE Carb Control in Cafe Caramel flavor. Most Kroger's carry these in the "diet" food section with the Slim Fast. It's in a shiny silver pkg. It is regularly $6.99 for a 4 pack but they run them for $5.00 per pack fairly often.

Thanks Susan!  I'll have to check those out.  I'm just to gosh darn happy I found something that tasted good to me.  I didn't realize there was so much of an issue around caffeine.  Here I just thought it was tastey LOL

I guess I'll throw my 2 cents into the pot (The Coffee Pot) as well.  I did not see anyone mention the fact that cafiennated drinks can not be counted as fluids since they dry you out.  I was told by my Nut, that I could drink decaf coffee and it would not be a problem, and can be counted toward fluid consumption for the day.  I take a 48 ounce thermos to work everyday filled with decaf coffee flavored with Splenda coffee flavoring. I guess this is why we discuss these issues, because everyones Dr is different.  My suggestion is to ask your Nut /Dr and see what they have to say on the issue.