Question:
Does anyone get dumping symptoms from drinking their protein shakes?

I have tried just about every protein drink out there and no matter what I do or how slow I take to drink it it makes me have dumping symptoms. I break out in a sweat, feel naseaus, gassy, ECT. Any suggestions? I don't know how to get in my protein if it puts me out of commision everytime I have it.    — Ann M. (posted on August 1, 2004)

August 1, 2004
Which brands have you tried and how do you make them up? How much what with how much what?
   — vitalady

August 1, 2004
I too dump on anything mixed with milk, or anything with more than 4 or 5 grams of sugar, or too many sugar alcohols.
   — kultgirl

August 1, 2004
Hi Ann, I dump on some protein shakes - even when I mix them with water. I thought it was odd when I dumped using water. I mentioned it to one of the internet places that sells us protein shakes and they thought I was nuts. I dump on some brands of protein bars as well. There are other ways to get your protein in without doing drinks. I also mixed smaller quantities of the mix and drank a tiny bit at a time, this helped. Best wishes, Maggie B.
   — M B.

August 2, 2004
Ann...I, too, get these symptoms after drinking protein shakes and eating protein bars. I thought it was just me because I'd never heard anyone else mention this. But I talked to the dietician at the hospital where I had my surgery and she told me that I could be dumping if the product had too many sugars or alcohol sugars (manitol, lactitol, etc). She told me to check the ingredients list and see if those words were mentioned. They were not. She also told me one thing that could cause the problems was the fact that to give the product a good taste without sugar the manufacturer would increase the amount of fat. This could cause cramping, diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea. I think this may be the problem. I don't dump every single time, but at least 2-3 times I WILL dump. I buy the pre-packaged shakes, Advantage brand at Walmart. I have used vanilla, chocolate and strawberry and all of them have caused me some problems, but it's worth it to get the extra protein for me. The bars also can cause the same symptoms for me. Sometimes, with either product, the symptoms are really severe and I think I won't use them again, but then I realize I'm not getting enough protein and I use them and just put up with the side effects. Hope this helps...good luck and God bless.
   — Katherine F.

August 5, 2004
Specifically, any of the Atkins products do it for me....I tried some of them early post-op and had a problem everytime. I don't have a problem with the Weider protein I now use. I mix it with crystal lite and it's pretty yummy.
   — scbabe