I like the HealthSmart Hot chocolate drinks from Nashua Nutrition, but when I look at the ingredients, I'm kind of concerned. I know that whey and Soy Protein are pretty much my two options when it comes to high biological value powders. It looks like the hot chocolate uses the following: Calcium Caseinate, Hydrolyzed Gelatin, Cocoa, Quic Milk, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Salt. Is its protein value derived from the Calcium Caseinate or the Hydrolyzed Gelatin? If the former, how biologically valuable is Calcium Caseinate? If the latter, that's a lower value but not as low as collagen, correct? I just want to make sure that I get an accurate tally of my protein intake before I feel too good about myself.

For those who may be also curious, here's the response from the company that makes it:

Protein value is a rather elusively defined concept. The more import factor is that the product provides a complete amino acid profile at the same that it provides a good tasting product that the patient can use and enjoy. For a product like the hot chocolate, we avoid using whey to avoid the slightly “off” taste of whey. Casein like whey is a quality milk protein fraction but one that provides a richer, creamier mouth feel which does not have the whey taste. The product provides with each serving 15g of quality protein. Together with the hydrolyzed Gelatin the two protein sources provide a complete amino acid profile as seen below:

Sucralose Hot Chocolate

Essential Amino Acids Nonessential Amino Acids

Nutrient Value Unit Nutrient Value Unit

Tryptophan 0.091 mg Arginine 551.378 mg

Threonine 122.721 mg Alanine 592.227 mg

Isoleucine 109.197 mg Aspartic Acid 408.659 mg

Leucine 225.173 mg Cystine 0.020 mg

Lysine 265.872 mg Glutamic Acid 765.589 mg

Methionine 41.001 mg Glycine 1401.932 mg

Phenylalanine 143.215 mg Proline 905.719 mg

Valine 163.715 mg Serine 211.250 mg

Histidine 41.001 mg Tyrosine 20.739 mg

Also, doing some poking around, I found that Calcium Caseinate is a whey derived protein that absorbs slowly over about 8 hours. So it's pretty darn good!

Good info, thanks for sharing this!

Just had my surgery on Wednesday (11/20/13) and wanted to know what would be good for my 'meals' while on the liquid phase of the post op diet.. any suggestions??? I know I need water and protein shakes but what can I 'eat'?? And is it more important that I try to get in the water and protien shakes down instead of trying to eat?

I didn't touch any food while I was on my liquid phase. I know it sucks, but it's only temporary. Best not to push the limits of what's left of your stomach and risk a leak. Of course, any changes to your intake should be reported to your dietician.