Question:
Why can I not find ANY protein that I like? I think I've tried everything!!!
Okay, sorry but I have to whine! Why can I not find any protein products that I like? I've spent so much money on countless proteins that I cannot stand. I've tried shakes and can't stand the gritty & thick consistancy. Plus I don't really have a blender on hand at all times to mix it. I've tried every flavor from fruit to chocolate in the shakes. From the powder to the pre-made shakes. I even went as far as to get the samples from vitalady in the powders & the same thing. It's too gritty for my taste. I've tried the bars. I can handle maybe a few bites then I get full & disgusted with the taste so I never end up finishing it. I've tried the liquids. From protinex to vita4life to fruit punch flavored that I ordered from vitalady. I try to take it as fast as I can because I cannot stand the taste. Every time I take the liquid form I gag & nearly throw it back up. Then I get nauseated from it for about 1hr afterward. This is so FRUSTRATING!! Is there any alternatives out there???? Will I ever find something out there that I can tolerate with out getting sick or nauseated or too full & not be able to finish it? I honestly don't know what else to try but I really want to take my protein like I am suppose to. Any suggestions that helped you or things that taste good to you? Please?? — Allison T. (posted on June 30, 2002)
June 29, 2002
Our surgeon is one of the leading pioneers in the field of WLS and lists
"No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast" mixed with skim milk
as one of the "acceptable protein supplements" for his patients.
Pre-op, he gives each patient a large canister of Designer Protein, but
lists several other alternatives in his information packet. Like you, our
family tried the Designer Protein as well as several other products, but
just couldn't stand the tastes. The No Sugar Added CIB was convenient,
inexpensive and tasted good. The topic of protein supplementation always
generates a great deal of controversy on this site because surgeons and
nutritionists all seem to have slightly different after-care programs for
WLS patients. Our surgeon has a very simplistic approach and only
prescribes protein supplements for the first 3-6 weeks post-op, then
expects his patients to begin to eat "normally" and obtain their
necessary protein through their diets. All I can say is that the four of
us are 17-32 months post-op, blissfully healthy/happy/at goal, and our
serum protein levels have always remained in the high normal range. Our
surgeon's approach has worked for us, but I would recommend that you sit
down with your surgeon/nutritionist and ask if the No Sugar Added CIB is an
acceptable alternative with them. Good luck!
— Diana T.
June 29, 2002
The first thing you need to change is your attitude. Once you view this as
something you need to do for the rest of your life, your attitude changes
from "well I need to find something I like" to "I need to
find something I can tolerate". I knew that I HAD to do this so I
just kept trying a different shake a day (thanks to vitalady samples) until
I found one I could TOLERATE. Tastes change and tastebuds eventually get
used to what you're eating. The 2 I found that I could TOLERATE are now 2
that I actually LOVE and look forward to making 3-4 times a day (ProScore
100 Chocolate and ProBlend 55 Mocha Cappucino). I travel weekly for my job
and bought a mini blender (palm sized) that mixes the ProBlend quite well).
Change the attitude. Diabetics don't look forward to taking a shot of
insulin, but they must do it to live. I'd wager to guess that it isn't as
bad over the longrun and that the 100th shot is more routine than the first
10. You need protein to live. Look at it in a different light. Try some
more -- even some of the old ones that were maybe ok on the first sip but
nasty after the 3rd...say to yourself "ok, this isn't so bad",
then continue to try it. Tell your body to accept it. I can't put it any
other way. Good luck and God Bless!
— Kimberly L.
June 29, 2002
Hi: I couldn't do the protein drinks or the bars either. They all made me
SO SICK....so I have just adjusted my lifestyle so tht I nibble all day and
the majority of my nibbling is protein like: 1 chicken breast cut into
little tiny pieces, cheese chunks, yogart, carob covered almonds,peanut
butter and crackers.....great little snacks, HIGH IN PROTEIN and I feel
satisfied all day...never have that hunger feeling...I get in my liquids
also....I do have to say, I drink more ice tea than water, but at least I'm
drinking the clear stuff.....about 100 ozs a day....this is what works for
me....10 mos post op and down #136...try this way...AND... not everyone can
do the drinks and bars...I've tried for 10 mos now and it just doesn't work
for me....good luck
— Joi G.
June 29, 2002
Hi Allison. I could have written this myself up until a couple of months
ago. Then I found ProCel and UpCal-D. ProCel is an instantly dissolving
protein powder that is virtually tasteless (Personally, I think it adds a
little bit of a "milky" flavor to whatever you mix it with).
UpCal-D also dissolves instantly and is a combination of protein, calcium
and Vitamin D3. You can put this stuff in almost ANYTHING and you will not
get that nasty protein taste that I'd get with EVERY other protein powder I
tried. I mix this stuff in Reduced Acid Orange Juice almost every morning
(3 oz. OJ, 2 oz. Cold Water, Powder, Shake Well). I get a fat free latte
around mid morning and put the powder in it - no problem. I put this in
spaghetti sauce, soup, sauces, etc. My kids eat it along with me and
nobody has ever noticed. When I have access to a blender, I throw ice, a
splash of fat free half and half, water, and sf white chocolate jello
pudding in with the protein supplement and get the BEST white chocolate
shake you'll ever taste. ProCel and UpCal are a bit more expensive to use
than regular protein mixes but I think they are SO worth it. We MUST have
a certain amount of protein to maintain our health. This stuff actually
makes it tasty rather than a chore. Vitalady.com carries the products and
I'm pretty sure that samples are available. Check them out -- it could be
a lifesaver for you too! Good Luck.
— Pam S.
June 29, 2002
Hi Allison, Tastes do change...I too ordered the samples from Vitalady and
had a hard time with them the first few months after surgery. But I tried
again (went for the chocolate flavors) and found one I love! ProScore 100,
I don't need a mixer just shake it up in my tupperware cup with water. I
tastes great! I did have to change my attitude about food also, I choose
foods now for what they can do for me physically...not what they do for me
emotionally. Don't get me wrong tastes do matter but quality is more
important now
Peggy
— Peggy N.
June 30, 2002
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Protein/
Try this group for ideas. None of the ones I know today are gritty, and
not many are thick made with water. Perhaps you've been looking in all the
wrong places. This list is people who have found their favorites &/or
can make beach sand taste good! Recipes & mixing ideas. Many proteins
today shake up in 4 oz of water. There are so many choices! It doesn't
have to be gross.
— vitalady
June 30, 2002
Ok. I thought I was the poster child for gagging and throwing up all
protein powders & bars. I tried them all too. Well...ALMOST all. There
is ONE that I am ok with and have been doing, they will send you a FREE
sample. Try this: http://www.vita4life.net It is a liquid protein. Ask
for a sample of the "honey" flavor. Get your water bottle, fill
it with about 16 oz. of water, add 1 packet of vita for life and fill it to
the brim with flat-diet-orange-soda (about 2 oz. of soda). I PROMISE you
will be able to tolerate this one! I sip it and within an hour, or less, I
am done = 30 gm. of protein. My surgeon had said that I better fine one I
could live with, because my lab work was way too low. Now it is fine &
right where he wants it. Try it.
— Barbara B.
June 30, 2002
PS--another recipe for vita 4 life that I do: place frozen blackberries
with low fat blackberry yogurt, some fat free cool whip & a few ice
cubes in the blender. Add One packet of honey flavor liq. protein. Makes a
nice thick shake. Strawberry with strawberry yogurt, blueberry with
blueberry yougurt, etc. I do this one less often than the water &
flat-diet-orange-soda...because it is higher in calories as a shake.
Depends on my day. Did I mention that I am at goal weight now? Love this
new life! Barb
— Barbara B.
June 30, 2002
I also recommend the Procel and UpcalD which you can't taste. Vitalady has
the best prices by the way and you can order a sample for $1.99. This
protein is not cheap, but the way I look at it for all the money not spent
on restaurants and fast food, it is affordable.
— Joanie J.
June 30, 2002
I understand exactly how you feel. I dont like anything either. The only
thing I have even been able to not gag from are the Atkins shakes, but even
then you can imagine how often I have one (lol never). My surgeon is
actually not happy with his patients using shakes, etc. because he says it
is not natural or long term. So I concentrate on getting it strictly from
real food.....eggs, cheese, low sugar peanut butter, etc. I get in enough.
— emilyfink
June 30, 2002
Have you tried Isopure? Its like koolaid and doesn't taste bad. Only one
I've liked so far. You can get it at GNC and it's not too pricey either.
Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
July 1, 2002
The ones I have found easiest to tolerate are: NSA carnation instant
breakfast (mixes very smooth and you don't need a blender--just a spoon!),
pre-mixed zero carb isopure (just like koolaid--mix it with a little water
and lots of ice), pre-mixed carb solutions in chocolate or cappuccino (mix
with a little skim milk and ice), premixed EAS advantedge (again skim milk
and ice), pre-mixed Atkins in chocolate. I'm with you. If I use a blender
it puts too much air in it and I feel like I am going to explode. If I
don't use a blender, it is too gritty. I don't know how far out you are but
once you are off liquids, you really don't NEED to use a protein
supplement. You can get it all from food. Why make yourself suffer? If you
do need the supplements, try the ones I listed or at least go PRE_MIXED.
They got me thru the liquid stage!
— ctyst
July 1, 2002
So go to protien.....meat, fish, soy etc.....don't try to drink
them.......but I take from GNC a liquid one caled AMINO 1850 you can dilute
it as much as you want ......and if you hate it you can get your money
back. i add it to water and crystal light and don't even taste it.....i
take a quart bottle and put 3/4 water then 3 TBLS amino 1850 and then
crystal light mu favorite flavor is rasp ice and when i make that i water
it down a bit too...... can't hurt to try it. Sharon
— Sharon F.
July 1, 2002
I find that protein bars work better for me than the shakes or liquids. I
try to eat 2 or 3 a week- a daily one is just too much for me. I do eat
alot of chicken, shrimp, and pork and cheese, and I take a multivitamin and
B12 sublingual.
You can find protein bars in a GNC or health food store. There are many
brands. The one I like best is called
Solid Protein, and it is made by Nature's Best, Inc. They have several
flavors. To me, it is like eating a chocolate bar. One bar has 32 grams
of protein.
Hope this helps.
Peace,
Ginnie
— Ginnie P.
July 1, 2002
I pretty much hated everything. I am 4 weeks post-op. NSA CIB made me dump
at first, but I kept trying it, b/c it was the only thing that tasted
really good. And now I tolerate it great. I use SKIM PLUS milk, which has
11 grams of protein instead of 8grams in regular milk, and I add extra
protein from dry milk or other powder protein and make the shake a total of
like 25 grams. goodluck! :)
— Lezlie Y.
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