Is there any alternatives to protein powders?

I'm 8 weeks post-op and I haven't been doing good at all with getting my protein. I can't stand the protein drinks, and it takes me all day to get one down. Is there such thing as a pill of some kind, kinda like a fiber pill, but for protein? I'm noticing that my hair is starting to fall out a little bit more than normal, and I'm sure it's due to the fact that I have been eating next to nothing. I know it's bad, but my basic routine in a day is a glass of milk in the morning, followed by maybe half of a scrambled egg. Then maybe another glass of milk later on,and maybe a couple of bites of chicken/tuna. I know i'm not coming anywhere close to my goal of 78 grams of protein each day, but nothing sounds good at all. It's so hard to force myself to eat something when it's been the exact opposite my entire life! Does anyone have any tips besides to keep trying? Absolutely nothing sounds appetizing anymore and I'm burnt out on choking down another egg for the sake of protein. Help!

Someone told me once that they cant stand the taste of protein shakes, so... she uses the powder with a little bit of water, and makes like a syrup. and takes it like a shot. she does 2 'shots'= 50 grams. and gets it out of the way like that. I haven't tried it yet. reason being I have no prob with the shakes. anyway, maybe you can try that.

I am 6 weeks post op and having the SAME problem. I am going to try the shot idea...however I know it might be a good idea to spread it out. Our bodies don't absorb everything we consume (so a little shot might get passed up easily), but hey its worth a try! I have some post-op friends that drink the fruit Isopure shakes from GNC...Those have 40 each and they say they tastes better than powders.

Have you tried the pre-mixed protein drinks? (Like EAS, etc) Sometimes that's better and more blended, better tasting than making your own. There is also protein nectar, which is supposed to taste more like fruit juice. There are protein 'bullets' which you can mix with water or Crystal Light. (They're advertised a lot on here!) But you don't want to take the whole shot at once - your body can only handle 30 or so grams of protein at a time. So if it you put it into a pitcher of Crystal Light, or somehow separate it, that would be better. Also, Special K makes a protein water - they have premixed bottles that have 5g of protein in each one and 50 calories. Or they have small mix-in packs like Crystal Light and others. But also remember milk and soy milk have a good amount of protein in a glass. That may be a good alternative. And how much protein do you try to eat? Are you on liquid diet or pureed? I know it doesn't sound so appetizing, but cottage cheese or greek yogurt or even pureed chicken salad or something might be a better bet. The 'natural' stuff is much better for you, IMO, versus the bullets.

I tried over 20 protein samples before I found one that I liked... so I know you dont want to hear it... but keep trying. No there is no protein pill... you can order protein 'bullets' that are the size of a test tube and are made to take all at once. Easy and quick way to get in the protein. Isopure also sells protein drinks (GNC)... they are a little strange tasting but good if very cold. You could also buy unflavored protein and mix into things like soup, cottage cheese, milk, eggs etc.  I know nothing sounds good and you dont want to eat but you are going to have to force yourself. Make a food schedule and STICK TO IT! This will help to develop a good eating habit you will lose for life... you dont want to wait until you are super hungry to eat... eating every so often will keep hunger at bay and keep your metabolism going.  Try going to the grocery store and walking up and down every isle slowly. Check out all the products and see if anything looks good.. you may start to get ideas. Check out some online recipe sights (like food.com, lowfatcooking.com) and see if you can get some ideas from there. Its hard to get excited about food early out so you really have to work at it.

I'm still pre-op, so I don't know how crazy your tastebuds are going right now.  But I have ready MANY posts about Muscle Milk Light saving WLS patients!  Many people who can't stand protein shakes do pretty well using Muscle Milk Light protein products.  They make ready to drink shakes, powders, oatmeal and pudding.  So it might be worth a try.  I know the RTD shakes aren't gritty at all and have yummy flavors.  (Just be sure you're using the Light shakes, b/c the regular line is much heavier in fat and calories.)  I've found them at GNC and Vitamin Shoppes. Anyway, I hope this helps.  Protein shakes seem to be a staple in the WLS diet, so you may just have to keep experimenting.  Also, Susan Maria Leach has a great book FULL of recipes and shake suggestions "Before and After: Living and Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery." Last thought... www.unjury.com  Unjury makes tasteless protein powder that dissolves into virtually anything.  That might work. Good luck! Heather

If you haven't tried Muscle Milk yet I highly suggest it (I was told by Alex from this board that it was good and I had pretty much given up on protien drinks until I tried it). Another thing I have found is milk powder.  I stir it in to add protien to my coffee, I use it in cream based soups, in mashed potatoes, in s/f pudding, and even in my skim milk to add protien. Unlike protien powder (which I HATE) it makes things creamy and not gritty.   I am not a protien drink person.  I have hated them from day 1 (with the exception of muscle milk) and the further out I got I was more able to get my protien all through food.  Now I am able to get more than enough protien through real food.  So drink them now and think of them as medicine if you must because there isn't really another way (and protien is essential).  Later on work on getting protien through food and you probably will be able to do without them. DISCLAIMER:  I am not a nutritionist or anything, this is just from my experience.  My nutritionist wanted us to get 60-70 grams of protien and if we could do it without protien shakes that was fine by him.  But if your nutritionist thinks differently I do not advise ignoring their instructions.

At Wal-Mart they sell protein water too called "Stacker 2 Protein Water" I only saw two flavours- green apple and pink lemonade. So you may want to try that, apparently they're pretty good cold and it's more like you're drinking juice than protein junk!