Question:
Protein drinks

As I begin to shop for my post-op necessities could you please clear up some confusion for me--first-are these protein drinks I'm supposed to get thin like YOO HOO or frothy and thick like a milkshake? Should I be getting a blender? What about those pre-mixed ones? Also--didn't I read about some unflavored protein additive we can use to deliver the necessary nutrients to soups etc..? Is this true and can I just add to water and drink....or is it clumpy and/or gritty? Sorry to pin you down, but the date is near and I see much back and forth on the protein drinks. Thanks a bunch.    — Wannabe A. (posted on October 19, 2002)

October 19, 2002
Long after I had my operation I got "hooked" on Carb Solutions (20 g protein, 1 sugar, 12 fat). If you don't mix it with anything, you should at least drink it cold. I have a great blender and mix my shakes with fat free cottage cheese, Cappucino Carb Solution, 1 banana, and loads of ice...it makes a blender full. You might also check out items at GNC or on-line at Vitalady.com (Michelle & her husband also had wt. loss surgery and sell lots of products that wt. loss patients can use).
   — Betty Todd

October 19, 2002
there are lots of different protein drinks. I got several samples to try from Vitalady.com. She is the only one I found that sells samples. I've ordered about 15 or 20 differnt ones. I found a couple flavorless ones -- the one I liked best was ProCel. As for flavored, I seem to like SciFi Chocolate shake, and Scifi chocolate and peanut butter flavor, and Designer Protein chocolate. But one thing I've learned is everyone likes something different, that's why I suggest you order several samples at once and try them and see what YOU like.
   — Darlene P.

October 20, 2002
Try Real Meals. It is thin and tastes good. It has 60 grams of protein plus over 40 other vitamins and nutrients. Including biotin to help keep your hair and lean muscle stimulators to prevent sagging skin. I split it into two 4 ounce shakes a day. When I was early post op I would split it into four 2 ounce mini drinks a day. You can get it at www.protein-solution.com
   — Linda A.

October 20, 2002
I agree. Vitalady is the best expert on this topice. She has a distal RNY and only her pouch (she had the rest of her stomach removed). She said her #1 question when it comes to protein supplements is, "Could this keep a person alive if they ate no other food". She recomends the whey proteins. As far as premixed goes, low sugar is good, but check the calories as well. I do 1 scoop of 0 Carb Isopure (Vanilla) with 2oz. of a sf syrup flavoring, 6oz. of water, a dab of Splenda and some ice every morning. I enjoy my protein shakes
   — Danna B.