Question:
I hate my protein drink.
I'm 4 1/2 weeks post-op and doing very well in general. Lost 30 pounds. My problem is that I absolutely HATE the protein drink. I actually start to gag when I have to drink it. I know it's important for WLS patients and I'm looking for suggestions. — Nancy G. W. (posted on June 7, 2000)
June 7, 2000
Nancy: I have tried many before I settled in on ProBlend55 by HDT.. I
buy it locally at my nutrition shop... I keep several small bottles
with one scoop (27.5 grams protein) in it so all I have to do is add 4
oz. of water and shake and drink.. I like it ice cold so add ice once
mixed.. yummy... smells like a cake mix and taste great..(you can also
add fruit like a banana or strawberries to it to enhance it even
more... vitalady.com can send you samples so you can try it before you
buy it..
— Victoria B.
June 7, 2000
I am 4 weeks post-op and have had the same experience. I tried Pro-cel and
Shackley's protein and couldn't stand either one - both the smell and taste
were awful to me. Through my local support group I found a liquid protein
- cherry flavor - made by Challenge. It is available at GNC. 3
tablespoons has 17g of protein and 88 calories. My nutritionist says it's
ok. To me it tastes like cherry Kool-aid. You can drink it straight. I
mix it with my Crystal Light ice tea or lemonade. I am much better at
tolerating it than the other stuff. What you might also do is ask your
support group members to bring in samples of the protein they use. My
group just did this last week, and it was helpful. That way you can take
it home and try it before spending all the money for it. Finally, a bit of
info you may or may not know. GNC has a return policy that even if a
package has been opened, if you don't like it, you may return it (WITH A
RECEIPT) and get your money back. And I was told by my local GNC that if
you don't have the receipt, they do a store credit. You should check with
your store just to make sure they abide by the same policy, but that's what
my local GNC does. Good luck!:)
— Paula G.
June 7, 2000
There are SOOOO many choices out there. The PB55 is thin and sweet and has
a malty side flavor, my favorite is thick and rich, like a shake. There
are fruity ones, sweet, not so sweet and now some juice-type ones, too.
There are some that come in individual servings (cans/bottles) and a juice
that mixes up like Crystal Light. You can't afford to short yourself on
protein, so hopefully you can get matched to one you like.
— vitalady
June 7, 2000
There are SOOOO many choices out there. The PB55 is thin and sweet and has
a malty side flavor, my favorite is thick and rich, like a shake. There
are fruity ones, sweet, not so sweet and now some juice-type ones, too.
There are some that come in individual servings (cans/bottles) and a juice
that mixes up like Crystal Light. You can't afford to short yourself on
protein, so hopefully you can get matched to one you like.
— vitalady
June 7, 2000
In light of all the messages posted on this site regarding protein, my
information seems almost sacreligious, but for what it's worth: my
surgeon, internationally renowned, takes a fairly simplistic approach,
which at least so far I have appreciated. He gave me a large sample
container of Designer Protein powder to try, but also feels equally fine
with sugar-free Instant Breakfast mixed with skim milk and also Ultra
Slim-Fast...less expensive, more convenient and certainly more tasty to me
than the other supplements I tried. He discontinues protein supplements at
4-6 weeks and encourages protein intake from the diet alone. I am 11 weeks
post-op lap RNY, have lost 55 lbs., feel better than I have in over 10
years, have experienced no complications or problems, no hair loss, and had
a complete chemistry profile drawn this week in which every lab value was
within normal limits ( also a first for me in many years). My total
protein was 7.8 (normal = 6.0 - 8.5). My daughter also had this same
surgery in January and her chemistry profile/total protein value is also
completely normal. Her weight loss is 105 lbs to date and again, feels
great, no hair loss, no problems. My point is simply that there are many
different surgeons with a variety of approaches to WLS and perhaps no one
way is 100% best or worst. This has worked for me and my daughter; for
others, more concentrated sources of protein may be exactly what you need.
Peace and love to all on this most special site.
— Diana T.
June 7, 2000
In light of all the messages posted on this site regarding protein, my
information seems almost sacreligious, but for what it's worth: my
surgeon, internationally renowned, takes a fairly simplistic approach,
which at least so far I have appreciated. He gave me a large sample
container of Designer Protein powder to try, but also feels equally fine
with sugar-free Instant Breakfast mixed with skim milk and also Ultra
Slim-Fast...less expensive, more convenient and certainly more tasty to me
than the other supplements I tried. He discontinues protein supplements at
4-6 weeks and encourages protein intake from the diet alone. I am 11 weeks
post-op lap RNY, have lost 55 lbs., feel better than I have in over 10
years, have experienced no complications or problems, no hair loss, and had
a complete chemistry profile drawn this week in which every lab value was
within normal limits ( also a first for me in many years). My total
protein was 7.8 (normal = 6.0 - 8.5). My daughter also had this same
surgery in January and her chemistry profile/total protein value is also
completely normal. Her weight loss is 105 lbs to date and again, feels
great, no hair loss, no problems. My point is simply that there are many
different surgeons with a variety of approaches to WLS and perhaps no one
way is 100% best or worst. This has worked for me and my daughter; for
others, more concentrated sources of protein may be exactly what you need.
Peace and love to all on this most special site.
— Diana T.
June 7, 2000
My Physicians recommend us to use sugar free Carnation Instant breakfast
miked with 1 and 1/2 cup skim or 1% milk and 1/2 cup dry nonfat milk. I
put it in the blender and add ice, it tastes like a chocolate shake. The
Instant breakfast (the sugar free one) comes in two flavors, milk chocolate
and french vanilla. Both are rather tasty, but more importantly it
provides 28 grams of protein. Hope this helps.......
— [Anonymous]
June 8, 2000
I mix Designer Protein French Vanilla with Sugar Free Orange Tang and it
tastes really great, like an Orange Julius. I have also mixed it in Orange
Juice and it is good also. Good Luck
— Amber R.
April 6, 2001
I am not a chocoholic like so many folks, but after trying several, my top
pick has to be Met-Rx Protein Plus Vanilla Buttercream mixed with OJ and
ice (although the Tang idea sounds great!). I also like it with black
cherry koolaid for a cherry/vanilla shake.
— lpsrabbit
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