label reading and lesson learned

I know, some products can be deceiving...we've sure gotta look at those labels! I have been using Cytosport from Costco over the last couple months too. Really like it! I don't know if I'd like it by itself or not, but love it with my protein coffee. I've only tried the vanilla...have you tried the chocolate? If so, how is it? I have been thinking about getting that one next.

That red velvet and german chocolate sounds super yummy though!

Hi surgery sister. I also do protein coffee. DH & I have used both flavors and sometimes we change it up by adding a little SF coffee syrup (Davinci or Torrani) to prevent boredom.

Many people who work out use protein powders to build muscle.  In the case of people who lift weights or who run marathons - they will often need protein powder that is high in carbs for that quick energy.  These are people who don't need to lose weight but are looking to gain.  The stores like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe sell products that meet the needs of low carbers an those looking to gain.  Same is true for protein bars.

For the person who asked about drinking protein shakes for the rest of your life - no, if you can get all your protein requirements in without shakes then you don't have to drink them.  I do a lot of exercise so I keep my protein around 100 grams if not a bit more but my doctor's requirements are 80 grams.  My nutritionist is a little different, she says once your are healed from surgery 60 grams is enough but again, if working out your needs will be more.

This is true, I'm just kicking myself for not reading the label first. I should have known flavors like that were to good to be true.

There is a legitimate use for the high carb protein drinks amongst the weight training set as the insulin spike from the sugar aids in transport of the protein to the muscle cells that need repair after a workout (you frequently see a 2-1 ratio of simple carbs to protein recommended for this use,) so you will see them on the shelf at the nutrition stores -  yes, it pays to read the label! The product that's appropriate for your teenage son on a body building kick isn't the same thing that we need to simply maintain our lean mass during weight loss (and arguably a glass of chocolate milk will work just as well for the body building teen but isn't nearly as sexy as a well-marketed body building product!) Companies like Cytosport or EAS are marketing to a wide spectrum of users so they do have different products for different uses; I would hope that we wouldn't see the high carb protein drinks from the specialist bariatric houses!

Sadly, I knew that and just didn't look. I will not do that again. It is a bummer though, the flavors are good.