Surgery in a month and wondering about protein?

[nelady 10]

I guess I need to start looking at the different Protein powders and finding out what's best. I realize everyone has different tastes, but what were the better tasting Protein powders? ? Is there unflavored powder to mix with foods?? I saw Six Star Pro Nutrition berry Blast Professional Strength Protein Shots advertised at Walmart and wondered if anyone had tried them? I'd just like to hear from people what worked for them. I guess I will learn more when I have my NUT appointment at the Doctor's office, but wanted to get a head start. Thanks

[BeagleLover 1,020]

Yes, there are unflavored Protein powders. My NUT emphasized getting protein powders that are 100% whey protein ISOLATE. Some other types of Proteins, i.e., concentrate, casein, may not be as absorbable. One brand is Isopure. There are others, but can't think of them off-hand.

Edited June 23, 2014 by BeagleLover

[Bufflehead 6,358]

As @@BeagleLover said, look for whey Protein. Isolate is best but I've not had any setbacks from using some whey concentrate. And some protein brands lie . . . "New Whey" Protein Shots are mostly collagen protein, which is basically worthless.

As far as taste goes, everyone seems to be different! I can't stomach any of the premade shakes, but lots of folks love them. I stick to my powders. My favorite brands are Chike, Jay Robb, Unjury, Syntrax Matrix, Syntrax Nectar Sweets, Healthwise (cappuccino and hot chocolate) and New Whey Designer. You can buy samples at lots of different places. My recommendation is that if you are going to sample anything before surgery, make sure you get at least two samples of that brand/flavor because you will want to sample it again after surgery before committing to a larger purchase.

Here are some places to get samples:

https://www.chikenutrition.com/chike-variety-pack.html

http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/whey-protein-samples.asp

http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/unjury-starter-kit.html

http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html

https://vitalady.com/protein-supplement/

http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Bariatric_Protein_Samples_s/35.htm

Good luck!

[par1959 470]

After 2 week post-op I no longer needed protien suppliments. Dont spend to much on them. Pnce you can eat eggs, any type of meats and dairy protien is easy to get in.

[Racewalker48 41]

I use Isopure zero carb whey Protein powder, both the vanilla and unflavored brand as recommended by my NUT. I sometimes add frozen strawberries or cocoa to the vanilla powder to add a little flavor. I also use the powder to boost the Protein content of yogurt, and will make a shake if I am at risk of not getting in at least 80 grams with natural food. Like par1959, I really prefer to get my protein from regular food.

[sleeversue 93]

I love Unjury that is advertised on this site. My Dr. sells it at his office. There is an unflavored that you can add to broth, yogurt, applesauce, and Jello and pudding you make yourself. I also love their strawberry Sorbet, and chocolate Splendor. I don't care for the Chocolate Classic. They have vanilla and chicken broth too.

One another brand I like is Isopure Grape Frost. It is only sold in a bottle. I buy it at the Vitamin Shoppe. You can try a bottle or buy a case. I say try the bottle first.

[Comeflywithme 402]

I really really like the "Premier" brand Protein shakes. They sell them at Walmart, costco and some supermarkets. I really love the chocolate flavor one. The vanilla is too sweet for me. Also, in powders, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the unjury brand chocolate Splendor. Mix with fat-free milk and ice, YUMMY!!! It tastes the best, truly like a chocolate shake from an ice cream place.

[Nina51 21]

I was on BariEssentials preop and it was pretty good. The trick is to add flavorings. My favorite is to add 1 tbls Peanut Butter powder to chocolate Protein Powder with skim milk and ice and really whip it. This got me through the last 4 days of preop. Try Torino sf flavorings also added orange crystal light to vanilla and it tasted like a creamsicle ! Good luck

[BeagleLover 1,020]

@@Bufflehead Thanks for the ready information on getting Protein powder sample packs!

[bikrchk 1,313]

There are unflavored Protein powders and I've tried one, unjury, but found it modified the taste and texture of food in ways I didn't like. I much prefer to add a scoop of chocolate Protein to my coffee in the morning, (makes it taste like a mocha latte), and if necessary do a Quest bar or Syntrax nectar Protein Iced Tea drink, (mixes with water) in the afternoon to hit my 75g including the high protein food I'm getting. I did the traditional chocolate or vanilla with frozen fruit shakes mixed with milk pre-op, but found them too heavy post-op. Be prepared for your tastes to change. Try them all if you can, but don't buy too much of one product you like pre-op or you may waste your money.

[Leepers 1,195]

My advice is to not go too crazy buying stuff ahead of time. I did that and ended up throwing stuff away. Once I was on solids, my doc really didn't want me to drink my meals. I used Protein shakes as an occasional supplement after exercising.

For pre made shakes, I liked the EAS Carb Advantage strawberry. Tastes like strawberry Quik.

[kimba6999 125]

I guess I need to start looking at the different Protein powders and finding out what's best. I realize everyone has different tastes, but what were the better tasting Protein powders? ? Is there unflavored powder to mix with foods?? I saw Six Star Pro Nutrition berry Blast Professional Strength Protein Shots advertised at Walmart and wondered if anyone had tried them? I'd just like to hear from people what worked for them. I guess I will learn more when I have my NUT appointment at the Doctor's office, but wanted to get a head start. Thanks

I love the body fortress whey protein. It is tasty and makes a great shake. I mix nonfat plain greek yogurt about 1/2-3/4 cup, a little skim milk (3oz), the protein and a little fruit. Its bout 300 cal, depending on the fruit u use and big enough for 2 meals and about 45g of protein. I also just mix it with some plain greek yogurt and it sweetens it and gives u a good protein pack. (1c yogurt and half a scoop protein). You can also get an unflavored protein at GNC or use unjury. You can mix it with food for the protein. Also a Tbls or 2 of dry milk in ur oatmeal or Cereal or potatoes can give u some added protein. Good luck to you.

[Chelly 364]

I use Jay Robb whey Protein powder. I've used it since after surgery.

I have used the vanilla and the chocolate. It also comes in strawberry and something else.

I play around with it using Torani sugar free syrups. I also use PB2 regular Peanut Butter powder and the peanut butter chocolate powder.

Now you can add it to sugar free pudding the protein powder or the PB2.

Unjury chicken Soup IMO is very good and it packs 20 grams of protein in each serving.

I agree to get samples of things one for before surgery and one for afterwards to make sure you still like it. Some peoples tastes change mine didn't.

If you like Jay Robb Amazon IMO is the cheapest way to go.

Torani sugar free syrups I get directly from the company.

PB2 I get at Target or the grocery store.

Good luck with your surgery.

[cheryl2586 3,053]

Your taste will change after surgery. What you might like now you will hate after surgery. I bought two kinds and hated both after I had surgery. Since then I use Body Fortress but not alone. I make Protein shakes with frozen fruit. Protein Shakes alone are not filling to me. That is why liquid diets never worked for me because they never kept me full.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I haven't had any change in tastes after surgery -- the Proteins that were nasty before are still nasty and the tasty ones still tasty.

For Clear liquids diet (first week) I hated almost everything I tried to drink. I tried mixing with other things like Vitamin Water zero and crystal light but just couldn't tolerate. I called the hospital and found they add liquid Prosource (available on Amazon) to mix in crystal light. It was tolerable in the hospital. I immediately ordered a bottle which hasn't come yet (over a week and a half).

For the full liquids phase, i like unjury chocolate Splendor and unflavored. The chicken Soup one is pretty good, too. I've enjoyed the Syntrax shakes I've tried -- there's actually an Oreo cookie flavored one! I like Muscle Milk Light 100, too... it's frequently Breakfast on the way to work.