Question:
Dreading the protein battle....
Hi there, I'm likely having RNY in Jan/Feb and my experience so far in my life of any type of meal-replacement or protein drinks has me worried about getting my protein post-op. My nut said I'll need to intake 800-1000 ideally. Why the heck don't they have some pill form of protein that I can just swallow and digest instead of having to taste something? Probably the inability or difficulty in swallowing pills I guess, but darn. Is the powder that you can add to anything any better than the drinks? Thanks :o) — opheliafl (posted on November 22, 2008)
November 21, 2008
I have tried several protein drinks, and have wasted money, but I do have
one kind that I buy more of everytime I run out, you can get it in a 5
pound bag from sams club and it is called eas super whey protein in a
purple bag, I get the chocolate flavored kind, it is smooth and easy to
mix. doesn't taste bad, remonds me of a melted shake, also it helps to get
you a freezer cup and pour your drink into it. I am 9 months out and still
drink it every day. you can also get protein bullets which is like 3 oz.
that goes down quickly, some walmarts has them for 1.97 a shot. but I would
just soon have the milk and powder mixed together.
— Lisa Koch
November 21, 2008
My favorite protein drink is Protidiet, Kiwi and Melon, it has 15 grams of
protein and you just mix it with water. I still use 1 a day so I can get my
protein in.
— [Deactivated Member]
November 21, 2008
Karen,
We've all been there done that. I wonder if people mix frozen fruit with
the powder mix and blend it really well -- that's works for me; however,
since I don't wake up early in the morning to create these drinks my
favorite protein drinks are the ISOPURE Zero Carb Protein Juice drinks.
They come in a 20 oz glass bottle and has 40 oz of protein. I started off
mixing them with water and gradually got to a point where I can drink them
straight. My favorites are Apple Melon, Grape Frost, Alpine Punch and the
Mango Peach isn't bad. You can find them at the Vitamin Shoppe as well as
GNC -- and I must warn --they are expensive. They do have a bit of an
acquired taste -- however, they're not chalky and the Apple Melon I even
mixed with Celestial Seasonings Apple tea -- just a few drops -- wasn't bad
but not a whole lot of protein in that one. The Vitamin Shoppe does sell
some of these in their refrigerated section so try one and see what you
think.
— the7thdean
November 22, 2008
I use a product called Unjury, and mix it with some Swiss Miss 25 calorie
hot chocolate. I use a little mini mixer to mix it up. I can't even tell
it's in there. Good luck Karen.
— katiecakes
November 22, 2008
You'll need to use protein drinks as supplements to the protein you get
from the limited amounts of food you can eat after surgery. You'll need at
least 70 grams of protein daily. I really don't understand the
800-1000---calories ? Pre made protein drinks may be convenient to some.
Protein supplements come in many forms--ready made drinks in cans or
bottles, protein powders you mix with milk or water, and packets for
individual servings. All of these have different tastes, and it's your
"taste buds" that will determine which ones you like. I would not
buy spend a lot of $$$ on the proteins prior to surgery. Best to try some
samples, establish the ones you like, and try these again post op. Many
times, flavors you loved prior to surgery, you'll find you can't stand
after surgery. Good luck. I'd attend support groups now, and after
surgery--they've helped me immensely. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
November 22, 2008
Its a battle for most people after surgery. You will just have to figure
out what works for you. Just like relearing to eat and finding out what you
can and cant eat. I can definitly its well worth it for the weight loss.
Paula
— urbrat2
November 22, 2008
Karen,
Hi. I am several years post-op but what generally works is what some
others have suggested here. Protein powders mixed with soy milk or
something like that(Silk products); there you get a variety of flavors.
Pills aren't absorbed by the body the same way our food is absorbed. And
some of these products actually do taste good. Taste is important because
you don't want to lose the taste for food which will affect your hunger and
feeling full so you can lose weight correctly.
vinnigirl
— vinnigirl
November 22, 2008
For starters, I have never heard of having to intake 800 - 1000. That must
be for something else, possibly calcium or something. In order to get that
much protein in in a day would require almost a months worth of protein!!
Your body only absorbs so much protein at once. I am only required to have
between 60 and 80 protein a day, which is a combination of the food I eat
and a protein supplement. Doesn't even pay to do more than that because
your body will not absorb it. I use Isopure products. I have chocolate
and vanilla. I mix my vanilla with fat free milk and strawberries. I also
mix it with sugar free icecream and make shakes. Prior to surgery I could
stand the taste of Isopure just fine, but since surgery I have a very hard
time drinking it straight up and have since come up with ways to make it
better, with fruit, ice cream, etc. There are also flavorless proteins,
not sure what they are called off hand, but those can be sprinkled on any
food or mixed with any thing you drink. There are ways around it, and yes
protein is extremely important in your post surgery lifestyle. Best of
luck to you! :)
— bicngillette
November 22, 2008
Typical protein grams per day ar 65. Try power crunch bars, 15g of protein
and delicious. Profect is another favorite, it is loaded with protein and
just a 3 sips and your done. I found a new bar and boxed drink on
www.smartforme.com, they truly are the best I have ever tasted! Soy nuts
are great for protein and they even have different flavors.
www.bariatriceating.com has delicious beef jerkey and other snacks that are
loaded with protein. Perhaps during the protein drink stage it is
difficult but there is quite a variety post-op. Best of luck to you.
— bariatricdivalatina
November 22, 2008
You can get your protein other ways than a drink... its in a lot of
foods...look online and find a wide assortment of foods that have protein
in them....I am just about to start my journey and I am sure I will be
posting here to ask questions...My date is Dec. 5th..I am sure I will be
looking for other ways to find protein than by drinking it...write me
anytime as I am also very new to this....Diane
— DianeLuvsflowers
November 22, 2008
I am 2 yrs post op and I also have been told by my nutritionist that I
should intake 800 to 1000 calories a day but, most important, 60 gm of
protein every day... My favorite protein supplement is designer whey
protein from GNC. It comes in a powder that i mix with milk. Sometimes I
add fruit to it and a little splenda to improve the flavor. My absolute
favorites are orange cream, mixed berris, chocolate caramel, strawberry
bannana and chocolate chip cookie dough. It is very affordable. A small bag
is around $14 and it goes a long way. Good luck with your journey.
— maria09elena
November 22, 2008
I had problems with the protein powders as I think a lot of people have. I
used the Slim Fast High Protein (ready made drinks) before and after
surgery. They also have a Slim Fast Low Carb drink available too.
Good Luck !!
— debz_58
November 22, 2008
First, let me tell you that my taste completely changed AFTER my surgery. I
had found some of, what I thought, was the best tasting stuff out there.
The day I came home and made the first one to drink post-op, it didn't
taste the same anymore. My taste buds completely changed after surgery.
Things I had loved my whole life stopped tasting good to me post op. So my
suggestion to you is to check out some of the on line shops that offer
sample packs to try. Some will send you a little of each flavor of a
product and then you can decide what is best for you. For me, the BSN Lean
Dessert protein powder is the best thing since sliced bread. It is thick
and rich and tastes like a milk shake. My husband is even drinking it now
and he has not had the surgery. Go to Amazon.com and look at all the
flavors they carry. The chocolate coconut tastes like an almond joy bar.
Good Luck to you and happy losing!!!!!!!!!!
— CAMFR
November 22, 2008
Hi Karen. I agree with others, the 800-1000 must be something else. I am
required to get 60 grams a day, but do better with 70. I use unjury
unflavored. I like it cuz I can adjust it to fit my needs on a daily basis.
If I get 60 with foods and drinks, then at night I can use 1/4 scoop in 5
oz milk and get the other 10 I need. Also it has no real taste to me. I mix
it int he morning with nestles flavored water. I prefer the taste of the
water WITH the protein powder in it rather than alone. I only drink the
flavored water with the shake in it now. I am 5 months out and found that
the artificial sweeteners in many of the others made me gag. Now having
said that, I tried some again ...after months out, and found I could
tolerate some..EAS vanilla. etc..but prefer the unjury. I also heard that
your body absorbs only 20-30 grams at a time...so some of the high protein
drinks could be drank half now half later..or diluted. Just a suggestion.
Hope this helps. Good luck!! hugs, kim
— gpcmist
November 22, 2008
I tried protein shake after protein shake and just decided to pick the one
with the highest grams and to take it like medicine. I finally found one
that didn't taste that bad and it has 35 grams per can, 1 gram of fat ,170
calories and 5 grams of carbs in 1 11oz can. it's called Pure Pro made by
ABB and you can buy it at GNC.
— leekenny
November 23, 2008
My favorite is Unjury Chocolate Protein Powder. I mix it with 8 oz of skim
milk, and the total is 28 grams of protein. Tastes like a sweet chocolate
milk!
— dnoreenh
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