Question:
Protein Shake- good or bad?

My cousin has this protein shake, and he gave me one scoop to try (I am pre-op trying to find a good protein shake) Now this protein shake is mixed with water, one scoop (8oz) has 22g proteins, 2.5g carbs, and 1g sugar... what is your input on this, would it be a wise choice to drink it post op, or is 2.5g carbs too much for one serving of this? Thanks for all your help! =o)    — Houman F. (posted on November 19, 2003)

November 19, 2003
The protien and carb grams sound about right but you may want to check what type of protien powder it is. Whey protien is much better absorbed by us posties. Go to "vitalady.com" and she has lots of good protien samples. Good luck.
   — Happy I.

November 19, 2003
Don't worry about total carbs, which can be fiber, or sugar alcohols, or starches, and prolly other things. For me, I count only sugar, and I do pay attention to starch carbs and sugar alcohols, because these things bother me. But this shake is very low in carbs, low in sugar, and sounds like a good shake, provided it's whey protein. <p> Use 1.5 scoops, tho, so that you get 30 grams of protein with each shake. <p> Several brands that I use have similar stats . . . Good luck finding one that you like, but don't "stock up" on powder before surgery. You may hate it after. Get more samples from VitaLady.com for small $, and start protein-loading 6-8 weeks BEFORE surgery. (That is, drink as much protein as you can!) The loading will help you heal much faster. Taking Vit. C will also help. I took 3-4 shakes a day pre-op and at least 1 gm. C w/each. You may not be able to tolerate that much C, but do what you can . . . <p> Good luck! and may your recovery and loss be awesome!
   — RWH G.

November 19, 2003
Make sure it is a Whey Protein Isolate. Much better for us. And if you can, add skim milk instead of the water. It will up your protein some. Good luck.
   — Sixftmommy

November 19, 2003
Sounds like a good shake. If you want to get it up to 30 grams of protein (the max we can absorb from a shake in one sitting, I'm told), just pour a little extra powder in before you add water. Adding an 8 oz. serving of skim milk will add 8 grams of protein, but it will also add 12 oz. of sugar you don't need (so long as the shake tastes decent with water, there's no need for skim milk). :-)
   — Suzy C.