Question:
Has anyone found a protein drink that is high in protein and tastes tolerable?

I have to get a minimum of 40 gm of protein a day, and for the past 3 days I have not done so. I cannot tolerate the protein drink I loved just a few days ago. It's called Real Meals. I tried grocery store canned protein, Glucerna, but I can't swallow it anymore, besides there's too much sugar in it. Any recommendations for alternative protein drinks. I cannot eat until six weeks post-op. Everything has to be pureed. I could really use some suggestions. Thanks !!!    — Laurie P. (posted on January 19, 2003)

January 19, 2003
I personally LOVE the Amino Infusion 5000 Liquid Grape flavored. I order from www.vitalady.com and it has 5g of protein per 1 TBS and 21 calories, ZERO carbs and ZERO fat. I make it with cold water, 6 TBS for a whopping 30g of protein with 20-24 oz. of water. I keep it cold in the fridge and it tastes great. Not that thick snot consistency as some others I've tried, it's literally like drinking grape Kool-aid. She also has a Raspberry and a Fruit Punch, I haven't tried them just because I don't like those flavors but if they taste anything at all like the grape, they'll be to die for. Since I use this, I'm getting 60g daily since I drink one ine the morning after my workout and one in the evening. According to Fitday.com I'm averaging about 90-120g of protein daily with it and my meat intake. Hope this helps!
   — Click

January 19, 2003
The best protien drink I have found is called Carb Solution I buy it at Wal-mart you get four for about 5.00 they taste great I have only purchased the chocolate. Let it get real cold and drink they have 20 grams of protien. I bet you will love them.
   — Tracey H.

January 19, 2003
I use several but my ProScore 100 choc is TO DIE. I also used the 5000 mentioned below more in the summer. I could put the 30g in a water bottle, freeze it (half full), then add water and shake as it thawed and I got juicy slush. YUM!
   — vitalady

January 19, 2003
Try Pro-Complex I drink it in chocolate and it is not bad at all. You can get it at GNC. It has 55 grams of protein in a 8 oz glass.
   — joann B.

January 19, 2003
My friend who has WLS next week told me that her dietician recommended pro complex which she gets thru her support group at the hospital. Also, I just ordered 10 samples for $10 at wlssuccess.com, they have a bunch of products and I thought getting the samples would help me find one I can tolerate.
   — Lynnette B.

January 19, 2003
i know everyones tastes differ, but i tried about 7 different types of protein powder and the one i liked the best is called extreme pure protein. it has no sugar and no fat (i can not handle artifical sugars) low carbs, 40 gr of protien per serving, the swiss chocolate is very good. i hated pro-complex it was one of the worst, at least to me! i got samples and tried many kinds. GNC will take it back if you hate it! good luck! use skim milk if you can that increases the protein too. you can get some neutral powder with no taste and add it to oatmeal and soups, it makes things thicker, but is mostly tasteless. that will add more protein to your regular diet. good luck
   — janetc00

January 19, 2003
I FINALLY found one that I could do and it has 42 g of protein. It is EAS High Performance Precision Protein Whey Protein Isolate. There are 2 flavors Fruit Punch and Grape. I like them both and the Grape is my favorite. You can order them online at EAS.com. I think it works out to be about $2.50 per bottle. 20 oz bottles each have 42 grams of protein. I drink 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the afternoon. God Bless! April
   — April A.

January 19, 2003
Laurie, the best one I've tried (and believe me, I've tried many) is Optimum Nutrition Complete Protein Diet Meal Shake. It comes in double rich chocolate, strawberry and vanilla but I've only tried the chocolate because I'm a chocolate junkie :o) There's only 1g of sugar and 3g of carbs for 12 ounces and 35g of protein per serving. I purchase mine online from www.vitaminshoppe.com, but you can also go to the manufacturer's website which is www.optimumnutrition.com. I experimented with it recently by adding a banana and it's to die for. It's the best :o)
   — dandjon

January 19, 2003
Try putting together 1 packet of sugar free carnation instant breakfast with 1 cup of milk and 6 tablespoons of dry milk with some ice(optional) this will give you 21 grams of protein without that awful taste!
   — DeeDee B.

January 20, 2003
I had a lot of trouble with protein drinks originally. The secret that I found was blending them with crushed ice. I had to go to the local Dairy Queen to buy a bag of it but it was worth it and makes all the difference in the world. I mix 1/2C-3/4C ice, 1/2C skim milk, 1 scoop protein powder, and 3 packets sweet n low. Sometimes I also add a little frozen fruit. It turns out pretty good.
   — Jenni K.

January 20, 2003
I've been drinking protein drinks long before WLS because I was on a 5-6 meal a day plan and they are convenient. I think it helps to spice them up. I like IsoPure Strawberry with crushed ice, a packet of Spenda and a few frozen strawberries. I like Met RX Classic Vanilla with a few spoonfuls of SF Vanilla Jello Pudding mix thrown in (can do the same for Met Rx Dutch Chocolate). I like EAS Cappuccinno with splenda and cinnamon and a half cup of real coffee. I like Designer Protein Natural with one or two packets of Splenda with frozen blueberries and strawberries. Experiment.
   — susanje

January 20, 2003
I have a hard time with protein drinks myself but I recently discovered Ultra Pure Protein Shakes by MET-RX. They are ready to drink,come in six flavors, 160 calories, Fat 1g, Carbohydrate 2g, Sugars 1g,and Protein 35g.
   — Pamela B.

January 20, 2003
Early post-op, the thought of a shake made me nauseous. If you like Koolaid looking types of drinks, Isopure Zero Carb comes in 20 oz bottles and flavors like blue rasberry, apple melon, and orange and grape. They have 40 grams of protein per bottle and I would pour the drink over ice, and add water to dilute the taste and sip on it all day. I found mine at Vitamin Shoppes.
   — Cindy R.

January 20, 2003
Unfortunately, you answered part of your own question. What you like one day may not be attractive at all the next and what one person loves, another will not be able to tolerate. Having said that, I will say that I have used ProCel, which I got from Vitalady. It really doesn't have any taste and I mix it into Crystal Light. I have found that UpCalD works the same way. You can also get samples from Vitalady (www.vitalady.com) and GNC will let you return any unused portion for a full refund if you don't like what you bought.
   — garw

January 29, 2003
I tried real Meals and didn't like it either. I went to GNC and sampled Myoplex low carb chocolate and Atkins Advantage Chocolate Royale. Both are ready to drink with 20g of protein per 11 oz serving, and are best when really cold. The Atkins has a higher amount of fat, but the nutritionist I am consulting with said it's ok. By the way, the Atkins Cafe Au Lait was really nasty. I tasted it and threw it away.
   — Fixnmyself

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