Hello,

I am trying to lose about 10 pounds pre-op as recommended by my doc.

The nutritionist has me drinking a whey Protein powder shake every morning for Breakfast.

It's been about 2 weeks now and I have been experiencing cramping and diarrhea.

I had my gall bladder removed 10 years ago.

I don't typically drink much milk so maybe that's part of the problem, too.

I have also started taking Vitamins for the first time, too (a multi, b12, and biotin).

Questions- Anyone else have the same issues?

are there Protein shakes that don't have whey that can be mixed with Water.

Or maybe lactose free?

should I get some pre-made ones?

Suggestions?

Thanks.

Edited May 2, 201511 yr by cbruce125

I still have Protein shakes, especially on strength training days. I make mine with vanilla almond milk. Way less calories and fat and much more Calcium.

I think switching to a Fluid diet usually results in this kind of digestive disruption. Ask your doctor/NUT for suggestions. I'm sure this has happened with many patients.

Good luck!

There are other protein sources, but you will have to do some research to find where you can find them, and what types might work for you. Ditto what Elizabeth21 said. Good luck to you!

@cbruce125 I am lactose-intolerant and can't do the whey -- the brand that works for me is Vega One Protein powder, available at Sprout's (if you have those) and I'm sure other places, including probably Amazon. You can buy sample packs to see if you like the flavors and if it works for you - good luck!!

I am not on a Fluid diet. I won't be having surgery until late July or August.

Right now I am just replacing one meal (breakfast ) with the shake my nutritionist recommended.

I need to figure out alternatives to see what my system will tolerate before surgery.

I think the Whey with skim milk is a no go.

Looking for other ideas.

Thanks!

Have you tried unflavored Protein powder? Sometimes it's not necessarily the whey that is an irritant, but the artificial flavors and colors, and artificial sweeteners. You can add the unflavored powder to anything liquid, and even throw it in scrambled eggs, Soup....it just has to be really wet food. It would work in chili, stew, (but mix it with cool Water - just a little - before putting it in hot liquids, or it may clump), any beverage. You can find it on Amazon.com, and I'm sure other places, as well.

OH, and as is anything unflavored, that does not mean it doesn't have a flavor, but that it isn't flavored with anything.

Another option is Syntrax Nectar, it mixes really well with water and there are a tonne of flavours. I think they had recently a sample pack for US citizens for 15.99 of all their flavours BUT you have to call them, the details were on their website. I use the fuzzy navel flavour it tastes like a watered down orange juice (quite nice), i make it the night before and leave it in the fridge for the morning to take with me on the way to work.

It sounds like you may be lactose intolerant, so a couple of things can be done if that is the case. One is to look for a Protein powder (or pre-mixed) that is 100% whey isolate, which has the lactose filtered out as part of the isolate process; most whey protein products use a whey blend or concentrate that is mixed in with the isolate because it is cheaper. The whey isolate is generally the preferred protein source for us as it is better absorbed and available than other protein sources. You can then mix it with your preference of fluids - Water, lactaid milk, or any of the various milk-substitute products that are on the market.

It's good that you can experiment with these things now when you are on a once-a-day regimen to find out what works for you for later when these drinks become a temporary staple for us.