Question:
Protein Shakes
I read this site daily and I am hoping to get some good advice. I am scheduled for surgery on the 5th of December and will start my pre-op diet this week. I am concerned because I can not find a protein shake that I like. I have tried many, many samples from the Dr and from web sites but I just can't drink them. They make me gag or they give me an instant stomach ache. The only one I can handle without gagging is Ensure with added protein, but they have too much sugar. Does anyone have a suggestion for any that taste good? I am starting to worry that I will never find one I can drink. — Marcie H. (posted on November 17, 2008)
November 17, 2008
Try mixing 1/2 vanilla and 1/2 chocolate. That is what I used to do.
— Carlyn M.
November 17, 2008
the only kind I use is eas super whey , you can get a 5 pound bag at sams
club, i get the chocolate kind, it is smooth and mixes easy, it is the only
kind i will drink, i have tried others, but none compares to this kind.
— Lisa Koch
November 17, 2008
I had the same trouble and can only use Carnation Instant Breakfast; all
the rest either make me sick while I drink them or after I drink them ...
even the unjury that everyone recommends. Talk to your dietician about
other ways to get protein. Like two glasses of skim milk gives something
like 18 Grams of protein.
— nofrogs29
November 17, 2008
I had the same problem. I found hot chocolate with mini marshmallows at
Nashua Nutrition. They also have other stuff there as well.
Jacque
— letsonj
November 17, 2008
Marcie, This is what I did. I went to my local GNC store and asked if I
could try there protein powders in a dixie cup. They made up of all there
different brands. I like the one called MAX and it was chococlate. They
make Strawberry and vanellia also. There was no drug or chemical smell at
all. I am a very picky, picky eater. Ask them to mix them up and let you
try all. Keep me posted on what you decide. Your taste buds are going to be
changing all the time. Good luck ! Dawn
— [Deactivated Member]
November 17, 2008
I am sorry to hear you are having trouble.
You might want to ask you dietitian whether you might have some intolerance
to lactose.
If you cannot reach your dieitian about the lactose intolerance, just give
us a call...we might be able to help. Jerome UNJURY (R) Protein 1 800
430 2221 Mon-Fri 9 am to 6 pm Eastern
— UNJURY
November 17, 2008
try www.myvictory.com. The shakes are delicious
— bariatricdivalatina
November 17, 2008
Your tastes will change after surgery too...What I thought I could somewhat
tolerate before surgery , I could not after. It took me literally 4 years
to find one that I like and doesn't hurt or taste gross to me...That is the
one by EAS from Costco. It's Whey and Soy Isolate Blend. I can only drink
Isolated whey in small doses. I cannot tolerate whey that is not isolated
or refined to a top quality whey. Chances are if whey bothers your stomach
now...It will most likely be worse afterwards...I suggest you get a few
bottles of Isopure carb free whey isolate...It is TOP quality whey in a
clear formula...and while the taste kinda freaks me out a little...It
doesn't hurt like all other whey and doesn't smell like monkey butt! Try
it and see how you like it. It was my life line for 3 months. I only had
to use this for about 3 months at a bottle a day... until I was able to eat
my protein...I didn't use protein supplements the rest of my 4 years unless
I am working out hard...like now.... I try to eat my protein but over the
last year with nutritional problems I added a protein drink back. I cut
out my multi grain cereal to cut carbs a little while I was dieting and
replaced my coffee fru fru (regular sugar sweetened stuff) And now I have
my EAS protein in my coffee rather than breakfast or fru fru...and it's
worked out great for me. I never thought I'd find a protein that didn't
hurt...The taste takes a week or so to get used to...I love it now...I add
cinnamon to it too for a chai coffee taste now...The chocolate is less
sweet than the vbanilla, but the vanilla you can use in more recipes
too...I add it to all kinds of baking recipes too. It bakes well...and you
can always add unsweetened coco if you want chocolate flavor...So...try
Whey Isolate and if that still bugs you, try a whey and soy blend...Hope
that helps! But don't stock up until you've had surgery...I had hundreds of
dollars of wasted whey...that mostly went in the trash...Some places like
Vitamin Shoppe allowed me to return 3 canisters of the Nectar I bought and
actually liked before surgery (with receipt).....after surgery I could
barely get the top off before the smell made me gag. Good luck with your
protein supplement and your surgery!
— .Anita R.
November 17, 2008
I like the SF Carnation Instant Breakfast mixes..specially the
chocolate...I mix it with 1% milk and add powdered milk and ice also...for
extra protein...mix in my Bullet mixer and drink..love it..I also like
Met-RX..I get that at my dr's office...they are pricier though...both are
excellent...but i agree with another poster...my tastes have changed after
surgery..so you won't want to buy too much...just in case they don't taste
good after your surgery...good luck...
— MaddiesMom
November 17, 2008
I had trouble with the protein shakes as well...I was given the OK to drink
the Slim Fast shakes...either High Protein or Low Carb...they tasted much
better than that awful protein powder.
Good Luck !!
deb
— debz_58
November 17, 2008
I really like the NEW WHEY brand. they come in 3oz. tubes in grape, fruit
puch, and orange in 42 grams of protein in each. I think they are really
great I usually mix mine with some crystal light. My best advice is just to
go to the health food store and buy several different things to try (not
big contatiners incase you dont like them) and it will be easier for you.
Good luck!
— beachbumlw17
November 17, 2008
Marcie,
Go to your nutritionist or dietician. See what they recommend.
The Ensure is a good choice. There is an Ensure that is metabolically
easier to digest; you might check into that. And Ensure Plus does work.
The advantage with a product like this is that it does come in many
flavors. Your taste buds won't be bored. Good luck to you! vinnigirl-post
op 10+ years
— vinnigirl
November 17, 2008
How about Isopure?
— edelmira44
November 17, 2008
I really like the protidiet, they are concentrate packets that you mix with
water and contain 15 grams protein and the flavor I like best is Kiwi and
Melon. Good Luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 17, 2008
I like Gold Standard 100% Whey
— jeffkopp
November 17, 2008
Hi Marcie, I don't tolerate protein drinks either. I had my RNY on Oct.
1st. and found that I do tolerate a drink that I get from Nashua.com It is
a grape drink with 17 grams protein. i put a lot of ice in it because it's
sweet. They also have punch and other flavors. It doesn't have as much
protein, but something is better than nothing. Good luck on your surgery.
Sueanne
— Sueanne M.
November 17, 2008
How about Herbal life protien drinks...it is powder form, add fresh fruit,
etc to it when you mix it in a blender...I like the vanilla flavor as I can
add what ever othr flavors to it. Farmgirl58
— Farmgirl58
November 17, 2008
Thank you all for your support, I will keep looking and trying, I mostly
appreciate the advice of not stocking up on things because of my tastes
changing.
I will continue looking until I find something I can tolerate.
Again Thank you everyone
— Marcie H.
November 17, 2008
I like the Atkins ready to drink shakes. If I make my own, I use an Atkins
shake, a scoop of why powder, 2 frozen strawberries, 10 frozen blueberries
and a handfull of ice cubes. Whirrr in a blender and yum. I don't know
the sugar content as I am a lapbander so if you are an RNY person, you'd
have to check into it. You can also add the sugar free syrups that come in
all kinds of flavors like they use at the coffee shop. They are yummy and
sugar free and just might be your saving grace.
Best of luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
November 17, 2008
I know what you mean about the bad tasting Protein. I have found that
Unjury ( unjury.com ) tastes great and mixes well with water or milk. I
make strawberry and banana shakes and sometimes just use unjury and milk.
They have several flavors: Choc, Van, Strawberry, unflavored, and chicken
broth. They all are 20G per scoop.
Good luck,
Bill Nagle
— Bill_Nagle52
November 17, 2008
You can try skim milk with added powdered milk to add extra protein, i
tolerated this very well and it did not taste bad at all (and it is VERY
affordable)
— Pittysmama
November 17, 2008
EAS works great for me. I had trouble with even the smell of some shakes,
but have no problems with the EAS in chocolate.
Kim Wentz
— BeachLuvr
November 17, 2008
GNC carries an unflavored protein powder. You can mix it --even a wee bit
at a time--into other foods & drinks until you get your needed protein
for the day.
— Tina G.
November 17, 2008
I have the same problem, the smell makes me gag and they make me sick to my
stomach. I haven't tried this yet, but I've heard that Beneprotein (from
the makers of Benefiber, I think) is tasteless.
— Leona P.
November 17, 2008
why not get creative...and fruit and blend....add flavor...I used and still
use body fortress super advanced whey protein powder..2lb tub from walmart
for about $13 and each scoop has 26g of protein...do 2 shakes a day and you
have about 60grams of protein...I add it to milk...not to bad in taste
especially when you add frozen fruit for flavor
good luck
Elisa in Ohio
— british88
November 17, 2008
Hi! I too had the problem of gagging from the shakes. I was post surgery
and the sugar substitute just didn't agree with me. But then someone told
me about unjury unflavored and it saved me! I mixed it with 8 oz of milk
and you could barely taste it. Today I mix 1/2 scoop with flavored nestles
water and its good and goes down easily. Unjury was my God send. I have 2
contianers sent every month and will not go without! I hope they are around
forever! Also,...I am able to stomach the sugar substitute that used to
make me sick. There are different kinds..and I could not tolerate one, but
could another...After surgery you may be able to tolerate what you can't
today. It's a trial and error thing. Good Luck and God Bless!! hugs, kim
— gpcmist
November 17, 2008
try evo choc. or muscle milk light. But don't worry too much your tastes
change after surgery so something you don't like now may be your favorite
after.
— SharonZ
November 17, 2008
Try Body Fortress chocolate, which you can buy at Wal-Mart. Mixed with
skim milk, it tastes like a chocolate shake. It is also low in sugar and
quite inexpensive.
— Patricia Sbr
November 17, 2008
I am also having surgery on Dec. 5. Someone told me about going to
celebratevitamins.com and ask for samples. They sent them quickly! There
are 5 flavors which I liked all of them except for the chocolate. They also
sent samples of vitamins. Good Luck!!! Carole
— happybug
November 18, 2008
Lot of answers here so I hope I'm not repeating anything but I think your
best bet is to buy an unflavored protein mix (unjury.com has one) and add
it to anything you want, milk, juice, water or even soups. I added it to
my oatmeal and cream of wheat and you'd never know it was in there.
— Elaine .
November 18, 2008
I add sugar-free, fat-free pudding to my shakes to make them more
tolerable. I also freeze the Atkins shake (which it says you're not
supposed to do but I don't see why not) and eat it semi-frozen.
Barbara
— Barbara I.
November 18, 2008
After sugery i drank Muscle milk (choc) and like them very much, They are
little higher in calories but work great when you are on liquid/mushie diet
and need to get in the cals. I bought them in the premade individual
servings and the powder, i like the powder better. Now i drink slim fast
low carb or high protein for breakfast when i'm in a hurry. But i make mine
up in the blender with ice a little instant coffee, a tad of splenda for
the coffee, and sometimes either a small banana, or a little peanut butter.
It's like drinking a frappe and is a whole lot easier to drink taste wise.
There are lots of posters with other smoothie recipes, just post for them.
The protein frappes or smoothies stay with me a lot longer then just
drinking a glass of protein drink too. I will drink one for breakfast and
don't get hungry at all till lunch and i don't really have any restriction
right now since i need a fill really bad. But that's another story. lol.
Good luck, hope you find something that works for you.
— Kristi H.
November 18, 2008
Marcie,
Good morning and congrats on your upcoming surgery. I can do the protein
shakes and I highly recommend the Isopure Zero Carb Protein fruit drinks.
When I first started drinking them I'd mix it with a bottle of water but
now I drink them straight. The ones I like are Grape Frost, Apple Melon,
the Mango Peach is nice and there is another I can't think of now. They
come in a 20 oz glass bottle and mix it 50/50 with water. They are found
at GNC as well as the Vitamin shoppe. They are not powdered drinks they
are already mixed. You want the ones that say Zero Carb because they have
drinks with Carbs as well. Good luck and drop me a line to let me know how
you like them. They are expensive -- about $42 a case from the Vitamin
shoppe --but mixed with water they last longer and contain 40 grams of
protein.
— the7thdean
December 2, 2008
I have used the EAS products and the Wellements products...all found at
Costco. I like the chocolate over the vanila, but drink both. I don't
like the taste so much so I put in a banana, strawberries, raspberries,
blueberries, etc. I usually keep the berries frozen. I also use crystal
light to mix with instead of water or milk. Much better flavor.
— Esquir
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