Question:
I'm having such a hard time with protein..please help!

I am 2 & 1/2 weeks post-op. I have tried everything I can think of to get my protein in. I tried the predigested liquid protein. Gaged when I took one sip of it. The powders are too chalky tasting to me & I really don't like that taste either! It's hard for me to drink anything right now. I guess I just need to take it slower because even water hurts sometimes. Any suggestions on the protein? Things that taste better, not a big long involved process to prepare?    — Allison T. (posted on April 29, 2002)

April 28, 2002
The amount of protein your doctor/nutritionist give you is just something to aspire to but realizing you will not make it in the first few weeks. No one does. I use Isopure and you can get it at GNC. It has 40 grams or protein per 20 ounce bottle. It sort of tastes like crystal light - it's pretty good. I prefer the blue raspberry and the grape but it comes in cherry and orange also and some green apple flavor, I think. Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself. Sharon Robinson
   — Sharon R.

April 28, 2002
I take the protein pills MAP (aka protivity). It has made a huge difference in me and others that take them. The previous poster was right though; the protein levels that are recommended are next to impossible for you right now. As you can eat more, you will get more. Good luck.
   — Kristin R.

April 28, 2002
Hi Allison, I don't have my surgery until May 7th but I did do some grocery shopping yesterday. I bought some whey protein powder from GNC to put in my yougert and other things. I would never be able to drink it either. Like the other poster, I bought some isopure drinks that have 40gm is the bottle. I haven't tried them yet but heard they are pretty good. When you advance to the food stage my friend buys these roasted soy beans (at meijers) that come in b-que or honey roasted flavors. I believe they have 10gms of protein in just 1/3C! Hope this helps, good luck!
   — Tracy T.

April 29, 2002
Hi Allison. I choked my way through some truly NASTY protein drinks until a couple of weeks ago. I ordered ProCel and UpCalD from Vitalady and I've been singing it's praises ever since. It's protein powder but it's odorless and pretty much tasteless (I think it adds a little creaminess to whatever you mix it with). It's a very fine powder and dissolves almost instantly. You can put it in food or drink. I throw mine in the blender with about 8 ice cubes, 2 oz. of fat free half and half, a tbsp. of vanilla sf pudding mix, a blast of spiced chai sf syrup and enough water to give it a liquid consistency. Tastes sort of like an oatmeal cookie! It's very smooth -- none of that chalky nonsense I was drinking before. I've also put it in spaghetti sauce and chili -- even my kids didn't notice any difference. Check it out at vitalady.com -- I LOVE it! Best of Luck!
   — Pam S.

April 29, 2002
I found a recipe that is working well for me because the ones that I mixed with milk just wasn't cutting it - made my stomach upset. I get 1/2 cup ice chips, 1/2 cup iced water, two heaping teaspoons full of non-fat/no sugar/non caffeinated International coffee mix, 1 or 2 sweet n low packages, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and some sort of protein mix (I use NRG - two scoops is 28 g). I mix it in the blender to a consistancy of a Wendy's Frosty and it's really good. I could easily do two of these throughout the day and the water intake mixed in it is good for us as well. Also, I am 3 weeks out and I have to sip real, real slow to keep from getting an upset stomach. An 8 ounce glass of my protein drink takes me at least 45 minutes. It's slow, slow, slow but keeps my tummy from getting upset. Let me know how you like the shake, if you try it. It's TONS better than anything else I had tried - protein kind of tastes nasty but you barely taste it in this concoction....not bad at all. :) Good luck to you.
   — Lisa J.

April 29, 2002
Vita4life.net is the ONLY protein I do not gag on. I order the honey flavor (liquid) and mix one packet in my water bottle with about 1-2 ounces of FLAT diet-orange-soda & the rest is water to the top of the bottle. I sip-sip-sip one & sometimes two bottles per day :-) Now, I am -156 pounds, my labs are good again and I feel great! (except for my incision from my panniculectomy 1 1/2 weeks ago) :-) This is so quick and easy to fix! Takes about one minute and I have two bottles ready to go! I used to gag on ALL of them that I tried, until this. They will send you a free sample, try it! Good Luck.
   — Barbara B.