Protein shakes/drinks

[genepha 47]

So far I've tried about 10 different types. I've decided the best ones are the ones that I make myself in the blender. However, I will be returning to work soon and that is just not an option for me in the morning because 1) I don't have time and 2) I can't use the blender in the morning because it will wake up my children. So I've decided to try the pre-made Protein shakes. I'm not a big fan of milk, even soy milk so I can't say that I love the milk based ones but here are the ones that haven't made me hurl so far:

1. GNC Total Lean - Lean shake in Swiss chocolate, 14 oz.

25 grams of Protein, 170 calories, 24 Vitamins and minerals, lactose free, 6 grams of Carbs (3g are dietary Fiber and 2 g are sugar), 6 g of fat (1.5 g saturated, 0 g trans fat).

Decent taste, I liked it better cold. Even though it's lactose free it still has kind of a milky taste because it has diafiltered skim milk (It just means they remove the carbohydrates). Comes in a nice, plastic easy to carry-with-you bottle. Overall I'd give it a 9 out of 10.

2. GNC Total Lean - Lean shake in vanilla, 14 oz.

Basically all the same stuff as the chocolate but I didn't like the taste as well. I would use this one as a base to blend stuff fruit with later on. It would be good blended with ice, blueberries and strawberries and then I'd have 2 smoothies. Yum! 7 out of 10 straight outta the bottle.

3. Isopure Zero Carb, 20 oz. - Alpine Punch

40 grams of protein, 160 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugar

I like this one because it's a clear liquid, not milk based. It's more like a punch. It's not very sweet and takes some getting used to. I like to have it in my car or in my purse BUT the major drawback is it comes in a GLASS bottle. The glass bottle is soooo inconvenient and heavy. Grrr! To make transporting it easier, I poured it into a Water bottle and refrigerated it. Isopure needs to make it in a plastic bottle and it'd be a winner! I give it 8 out of 10. Losing 1 point for flavor and 1 point for the stupid bottle.

4. Kirkland brand weight loss shake, Milk Chocolate, 11 oz.

10 grams of protein, 230 calories, 44 g of carbs, 2 g of fat (0.5 saturated fat, 0 g transfat), 24 Vitamins and minerals

I put this one on the bottom because it really is the worst one for carbs and protein, however, I think this one is the tastiest, probably due to all the sugar in it!! The ingredients list starts with Skim Milk, Water, Sugar, Cocoa, Corn Syrup - Yikes!!! My husband bought these for me the first week after my surgery because I couldn't go shopping myself so now they are just sitting in my kitchen. I'll take them with me to work and throw a few in my car and have them as back up but most likely will not use them. I give it 4 out of 10 due to the high carbs and sugar.

5. Medifast Dutch Chocolate Shake- 14 grams of protein, 13 g of carbs (4 g dietary Fiber, 9 g sugar) 110 calories, 1 g fat

These aren't really pre-made but I can make them in a shaker instead of a blender so they'll count. They taste pretty good when blended or mixed with ice. There aren't big clumps even when using the hand shaker. But they are not pre-made. I give it 6 out of 10 for the relatively low protein and high carb ratio and inconvenience of having to blend myself.

I think costco has the Premier Protein Shakes which are supposed to be pretty good and have like 30 g of protein. When I feel up to it, I'm gonna head over there and buy some of those. I'll report back later in the week.

genepha

[Lmom1980 29]

oops

[Lmom1980 29]

I just started my 800 calories liquid pre-op diet today. This is good info! Thanks

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,281]

Hello genepha,

Have you considered making your powder based home made shakes the night before? I have some Protein shaker bottles that come with whisk springs in them, so when I'm ready to drink it I can shake it up in that. It doesn't taste any worse than if I'd made it right before drinking.

Just a thought! Only because I don't really care for many of the RTD's. I prefer making my own.

[melanieleigh 1]

I drink the premier shake from costco, it's good but I am sick of it now. I had my surgery January 10th and am now down from a size 24 to a 16, stretchy jeans. I still keep to a more liquidy diet. I have a shake in the a.m. and Soup for lunch. For dinner I usually have 4 oz's of whatever the family is having. I feel more inches have left me than pounds. I am 30 lbs down now, but my double chin will not budge, guess I will have to take a scalpel to it, lol. Good for you and your good experiece. Keep it up.

So far I've tried about 10 different types. I've decided the best ones are the ones that I make myself in the blender. However, I will be returning to work soon and that is just not an option for me in the morning because 1) I don't have time and 2) I can't use the blender in the morning because it will wake up my children. So I've decided to try the pre-made Protein shakes. I'm not a big fan of milk, even soy milk so I can't say that I love the milk based ones but here are the ones that haven't made me hurl so far:

1. GNC Total Lean - Lean Shake in Swiss chocolate, 14 oz.

25 grams of Protein, 170 calories, 24 Vitamins and minerals, lactose free, 6 grams of Carbs (3g are dietary fiber and 2 g are sugar), 6 g of fat (1.5 g saturated, 0 g trans fat).

Decent taste, I liked it better cold. Even though it's lactose free it still has kind of a milky taste because it has diafiltered skim milk (It just means they remove the carbohydrates). Comes in a nice, plastic easy to carry-with-you bottle. Overall I'd give it a 9 out of 10.

2. GNC Total Lean - Lean Shake in vanilla, 14 oz.

Basically all the same stuff as the chocolate but I didn't like the taste as well. I would use this one as a base to blend stuff fruit with later on. It would be good blended with ice, blueberries and strawberries and then I'd have 2 smoothies. Yum! 7 out of 10 straight outta the bottle.

3. Isopure Zero Carb, 20 oz. - Alpine Punch

40 grams of protein, 160 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugar

I like this one because it's a clear liquid, not milk based. It's more like a punch. It's not very sweet and takes some getting used to. I like to have it in my car or in my purse BUT the major drawback is it comes in a GLASS bottle. The glass bottle is soooo inconvenient and heavy. Grrr! To make transporting it easier, I poured it into a Water bottle and refrigerated it. Isopure needs to make it in a plastic bottle and it'd be a winner! I give it 8 out of 10. Losing 1 point for flavor and 1 point for the stupid bottle.

4. Kirkland brand weight loss shake, Milk Chocolate, 11 oz.

10 grams of protein, 230 calories, 44 g of carbs, 2 g of fat (0.5 saturated fat, 0 g transfat), 24 Vitamins and minerals

I put this one on the bottom because it really is the worst one for carbs and protein, however, I think this one is the tastiest, probably due to all the sugar in it!! The ingredients list starts with Skim Milk, Water, Sugar, Cocoa, Corn Syrup - Yikes!!! My husband bought these for me the first week after my surgery because I couldn't go shopping myself so now they are just sitting in my kitchen. I'll take them with me to work and throw a few in my car and have them as back up but most likely will not use them. I give it 4 out of 10 due to the high carbs and sugar.

5. Medifast Dutch Chocolate Shake- 14 grams of protein, 13 g of carbs (4 g dietary fiber, 9 g sugar) 110 calories, 1 g fat

These aren't really pre-made but I can make them in a shaker instead of a blender so they'll count. They taste pretty good when blended or mixed with ice. There aren't big clumps even when using the hand shaker. But they are not pre-made. I give it 6 out of 10 for the relatively low protein and high carb ratio and inconvenience of having to blend myself.

I think costco has the Premier Protein shakes which are supposed to be pretty good and have like 30 g of protein. When I feel up to it, I'm gonna head over there and buy some of those. I'll report back later in the week.

genepha