I do enjoy my coffee but I could take it or leave it. But I am trying to open my food choices so I don't get tired of something. The other day I made some decaf 10 oz and put a half scoop of Isopure unflavored Protein powder in the mug. I was blown away when it stirred up nicely. The taste was a bit off but more than a fair trade off.

The next day I tried to duplicate my experience and couldn't get the powder to dissolve. I am not sure I did anything differently. It was not edible as the clumps tasted like some type of batter gone wrong.

My questions:

1) any tips on getting Protein Powder to dissolve completely?

2) I have seen a number of opinions on decaf vs caffeinated. What are our feelings on caffeine and why?

1) Dissolve the Protein in cold liquid first and add it to the hot (that was the advice I was given when I had trouble mixing protein into hot liquids. It's a fine line between just right and too hot, and I don't want to have the thermometer out constantly in the kitchen to check. So that method works)

2) My feelings on caffeine: if you can tolerate it, do it. I asked my NUT and doctor specifically about this, because my regular doctor allowed me one or two cups a day as a migraine preventative. So when I was allowed full liquids, I added a little caffeine in (Chike Protein drinks have a caffeine equivalent of one cup of coffee). I do make sure to drink extra Water to offset the slight diuretic effect that caffeine can have, and have noticed no ill effects. I haven't come close to dehydrating (touch wood), and I feel much saner having caffeine in my diet.

It's one of those personal choice things...I love my coffee enough to make whatever allowances I need to have a small amount in my diet

1) Dissolve the Protein in cold liquid first and add it to the hot (that was the advice I was given when I had trouble mixing protein into hot liquids. It's a fine line between just right and too hot, and I don't want to have the thermometer out constantly in the kitchen to check. So that method works)

2) My feelings on caffeine: if you can tolerate it, do it. I asked my NUT andgreat doctor specifically about this, because my regular doctor allowed me one or two cups a day as a migraine preventative. So when I was allowed full liquids, I added a little caffeine in (Chike protein drinks have a caffeine equivalent of one cup of coffee). I do make sure to drink extra Water to offset the slight diuretic effect that caffeine can have, and have noticed no ill effects. I haven't come close to dehydrating (touch wood), and I feel much saner having caffeine in my diet.

It's one of those personal choice things...I love my coffee enough to make whatever allowances I need to have a small amount in my diet

Great idea on adding protein to cold first. But how can you warm the coffee back up once dissolved? I tried to microwave a drink with protein powder once before and it turned into lumpy chunks of sadness.

Thank for the suggestions

I found the only reliable way to mix protein into hot liquids without getting clumps is to use a food thermometer. Make sure that you don't go over 130 degrees.

Love my coffee!! My Drs criteria says that I can have one caffeinated beverage a day. I agree on the cool mix of protein then add hot liquid. I agree too that the thermometer is the best way to be sure. At the office, I spent one day with the thermometer checking the temp of various waters, tap, filter, then coffee pot so I know how hot each one is. I even tested the office microwave to see how much hotter liquid gets in the microwave. I now know how to mix, and it know that if it's not hot enough, 10-12 seconds in the microwave brings my cup of coffee to the level of warm that I like. Just remember to error on the side of too cool as you can always warm up, but once that protein is cooked, it's nasty.... One day of nerdy testing and now I know....

Looks like its a trip on the Amazon highway for a food thermometer for me.

Thank you for the responses

It's expensive, and also on Amazon, but I love Click Protein Expresso. Higher in calories than I would like now that I'm on solids but in the early days, it was a great way to get protein. I stirred it in room temp water and then heated in mug. It's a little sweet but it was still pretty good. I don't sweeten my coffee normally so I think that's why I thought it was so sweet. There is also a brand called Chike but I was not a fan. Same idea though.

It's expensive, and also on Amazon, but I love Click Protein Expresso. Higher in calories than I would like now that I'm on solids but in the early days, it was a great way to get protein. I stirred it in room temp Water and then heated in mug. It's a little sweet but it was still pretty good. I don't sweeten my coffee normally so I think that's why I thought it was so sweet. There is also a brand called Chike but I was not a fan. Same idea though.

I absolutely love Chike It's my go-to morning drink (but then, it's meant to be drunk cold, and I like iced coffee quite a bit, so it's perfect for me). I haven't tried Click yet. I may have to pick some up if it's that good.

I'm going to expiriment with making my own iced coffee. I just had some yesterday with a packet of splenda and skim milk and it was sooooo good. I didn't know Chike was meant to be cold - maybe that's why I hated it!!! LOL

@@CrazyJaney when I was reading reviews while trying to choose which coffee drink I was going to buy, I saw someone mention trying to heat Chike up and it tasted terrible. I know the serving suggestion is mixed with cold Water or milk (I blend mine with ice and almond milk...it makes a really tasty frappuccino.)

I've been planning on trying cold coffee with maybe some of the chocolate Protein powder in it. I love Chike, but it's more expensive than some of the other Proteins I use, so if I can make an acceptable iced coffee alternative, I will