Trying to get back to basics - Help!

What kind of protein shakes and vitamins are you guys taking these days?  I started making protein and fruit smoothies yesterday and my sugar bottomed out about 1.5 hours later.  I used EAS Vanilla Soy Protein, 1/4 cup of FF Vanilla Yogurt/Frozen Pinapple and Mango.  The fruit had no additional sugar.  I figured that adding protein would make my sugar NOT do this. 

What do you guys think?

Thanks a bunch!

I don't use any-a band rule is to not drink any calories if possible.  I do use the Pure Protein bars for breakfast every day-really like the chocolate peanut butter one.

Sorry, I can't provide an answer concerning  your sugar bottoming out. That happens to me occasionally but I can never seem to pinpoint what caused it.  I don''t do shakes much anymore. I used Slim-Fast Lo Carb shakes when I did the 5-Day Pouch Test last week.  Each can is 180-190 cals, 20g protein and 2g net carbs and they taste pretty good to me.   If you buy them please buy a pack of Gas-X  while your'e at it.  The shakes contain Sucralose (I thinks it's Spenda) and sometimes causes excess gas and bloating.  I have just discovered the Pure Protein Meal bars mentioned by Judy in a previous post.  I had the Peanut Marshmallow Eclipse and the Chewy Chocolate Chip flavors.  They have ~200 cals, 20g protein, 15g carbs and 3g fat,  I can't say which one I like better. They are very yummy and filling.  I take a Centrum multivitamin every day.   I also take calcium citrate chews, iron and B12 but not with consistently as I should.   Hope you fnd something that works.  Good luck and many blessings.

Where can I find the Pure Protein Meal bars you are talking about? 

I found the Pure Protein bars at Wal-Mart in the section with energy bars, protein powders...etc.  In our Wal-Mart they were not in the same section as Slim-Fast  Bars or Atkins bars.

I've taken Bariatric Advantage chewable multi-vitamins, chewable chocolate calcium, and sublingual B12 since I was five months post-op.  They are pricy but I figure the money I save on junk food and snack junk I'm putting towards vitamins.  I also really like the taste of the chewables so I am consistent with them. 

I thought protein drinks were nasty.  The aftertaste, the taste, the texture - yuck.  I've been drinking Fit365 with 2 Tablespoons of PB2, with ice mixed in my Magic Bullet and I LOVE it.  It is so good that I consider it a treat.  Pre-op, I'd liked those foo foo expensive Starbucks frozen drinks.  With my protein drink now, I get great nutrition plus I really like it.  I'm a very picky protein powder drink person but I really like this.

Good luck!!

Cathy

Hi Kristina:

I still use the Flintstone chewable vits with iron, b12 sublinguals, oscal with vit D and sometimes an extra calicum chew at night.  I have also started adding benefiber for bathroom help.  So far, so good.  I use the unjury chocolate protein shakes and use the unjury unflavorable protein powder in my pudding and soups.  These are not chalky.  I mix the chocolate powder with water and it taste like a yoohoo drink.  I just discovered the pure protein bars and so far I have not found a bad tasting one.  The chocolate chip and peanut butter are both delicious.  I believe they come in about six different flavors.  I have two more to sample this week.  I eat them for lunch since I am usually on the run.  I try to keep my protein levels around 90 grams or more a day.  With the help of two shakes, bar and protein pudding, I do not have any trouble.  On most days I have a sensible dinner to look forward.  I get the bars at Walmart for about $1.23 each.  The protein powder I order online from unjury for about 17.95 a canister which makes about 17 shakes.  A little pricey but great quality and taste.  I am about 28 months out and made my goal of 155 lbs over a year ago and have been maintaining ever since with the exception of about six weeks ago when I had hernia surgery.  I gained about 10 lbs but since then have taken it back off.  I am faithful with the scale each morning and I record my food on the daily plate.com.  Let me know if I can help you with anything else. 

Tess

I drink a belgian chocolate protein shake - IDS - every day.  I order mine through dpsnutrition.com but bariatriceating.com has them too.  Been drinking these since surgery 3 years ago and they pass by my nut.  For the multi vitamin I use the VistaVitamins.  I also order those online, they are bariatric formulated and I choose the auto ship option and never have to worry about running out.  They are in convenient individual dosage pouches and my labs are great.  I think you can find them at vistavitamins.com

Hi..............Regarding:  Vitamines
I use GNC Ultra Mega for women over 50.  I take 3 a day.  My labs have been great and I feel great.  I also take zinc 250 mg, & biotin 600 mg daily.  I take a thiamine weekly.  B12 injection every 2 weeks.  I've been an asthmatic since childhood and struggled with colds, bronchitis, ashthma constantly.  I started this vitamin program 1 1/2 years ago.  I haven't had a cold, asthma issue or bronchitis since.  I'm an RN and obviously around sick folks constantly.  I love the GNC product because I don't ever get a yucky aftertaste, or burping thing with them.  I've also had the low blood sugar issue.  To combat, eat at least every 3 hours......I try very hard to always add a small amount of protein when I snack.  Try not to eat a carb only for a snack.  If you're a sweet potatoe fan  this is a great snack that can be savory or sweet; combine with a bit of protein and you've got a great portable snack.   Cube sweet potatoe and toss with just enough olive oil to moisten.....experiment with salt and other spices.  Roast @ 400 till nicely carmelized.  Cinnamon etc can make them a yummy dessert type snack.  Good cold too.  Roasting broccoli and cauliflower flowerettes till carmelized also great for meal or snacks for quick low glycemic carbs.  Roasting  till beginning to carmelize really brings out the natural sweetness.  Another option for that sweet & salty crunchy factor is kettle corn.  I find that every kernel doesn't get coated with sugar and you get the taste but not a ton of sugar.  Great fiber...combine with a little protein and there ya go!  The kettle corn doesn't have that evil corn syrup and the big fiber  helps to diminish the absorption of the sugar.  Recipe:  1/2 cup popcorn kernels, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup oil, & 1 teaspoon salt.  Put it all in a big kettle and pop over medium heat.  Stir and shake constantly.  Make sure kettle is big enough for the popping corn to move...........Hope some of this helps.  Take Care! Tgarr
 

Someone brought up Starbuck's.  They now have a Chocolate Banana Vivano.  It is a whole banana blended with cocoa, protein powder (whey protein), and 2% milk and ice.  It is 270 calories, and as far as I know there is no sugar added.  I tried it and it was very good and filling.  If I can't get breakfast, I get one of these.  It has 23 grams of protein so that is good to get in your protein.  I have gained back 15 lbs. in the last four years since my surgery.  I basically eat  two pieces of raisin bread, two ounces of Brie cheese, a handful of walnuts and all the fruit I care to eat every day.  I spread the brie on the bread and sprinkle the walnuts on top.  It tastes great and gets in some protein and fat for the day.  I don't eat hardly any meat anymore.  I just don't like it.  I try to get my protein other ways.  My main problem is I don't want veggies anymore either, but I make myself eat salads a few times a week with extra veggies in them.  Sometimes I get a grilled chicken salad.  I crave fruit, especially raspberries, blackberries, red bananas, and strawberies.  Fortunately these are good for me.  One weird thing though:  I crave my calcium pills so much that some days I take more than four.  I let them dissolve in my mouth and crunch them.  They taste great to me, so I figure maybe my calcium is low and my body needs it.  But it's strange because I would almost rather eat calcium pills than food.  Some days I eat up to 12 of the 250 mg. calcium pills and I am afraid it may harm me to take so much, but I crave them so badly it's hard not to eat more than recommended.  Anyone else had this problem?