Hi everyone. I am having a really hard time drinking any of the pre-made protein shakes. They are so thick and have such a overwhelming fake sweet aftertaste. The only one I can somewhat get through is the Fairlife nutrition plan 30g protein shakes, but I am afraid there is no way in God's Green Earth that I will be able to drink these day after day for the upcoming pre-op diet. So, I am search of places to purchase trial and/or sampler packs of protein powder. I would really like to avoid purchasing an entire tub and not be able to choke it down.

Any and all suggestions welcome! Also would love protein shake recipes!

Thank you!

I think GNC will give you samples before you buy.

@GradyCat Hmmm... I am not seeing anything on the website. Do they offer the samples in store? What type do you prefer?

Somebody asked a similar question here:

Here are the ones I purchased (I think I found all of these through ads on Facebook; none of these are referral links and I do not benefit in any way from them):

• IdealFit (IdealLean) (You can also buy individual sample size packets if you don't want this many)
• 1up Nutrition
• Northbound Nutrition Waves of Whey
• Strength (Unfortunately, the samples are 5 packs of the same flavor, so you'd have to buy 10 packs just to get both flavors)
• KetoShop (There are two different sample packs; I got the zero carb just because the flavors were more appealing to me)

My favorite was IdealLean and that's my go-to brand now (I love the birthday cake flavor mixed into yogurt -- that makes for a great high-protein meal after surgery -- and the chocolate brownie is my favorite chocolate Protein shake). Once you start shopping for Protein Powder online, you'll start seeing ads for other protein powders. I've seen some appealing ones recently, but I'm all stocked up on protein powders so I'm not buying any more right now. You should look at the ingredients and nutrition info to make sure they meet your requirements.

You might also want to try clear protein powders. IdealFit has some (including samples) and you can buy Syntrax Nectar samples in the BariatricPal store. They do not have the same thick texture as the shakes, so you may find them more palatable. I also recommend trying protein hot chocolate; I find it easier to drink than the cold shakes.

@BigSue AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING. Thank you! I will take a look at all the links you listed above!

Do you like any of the unflavored powders?

4 minutes ago, TreeTrunks said:

@BigSue AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING. Thank you! I will take a look at all the links you listed above!

Do you like any of the unflavored powders?

I purchased Genepro unflavored powder to mix into foods, but I don't like the way it tastes. Even though it doesn't have added flavoring, it still has a taste and I find it unpleasant. I would not drink it in plain water. When adding protein powder into foods, I prefer to use flavored protein powder for sweet foods like yogurt, pudding, applesauce, and oatmeal. I only use Genepro in savory foods like soup, beans, and pureed vegetables.

9 minutes ago, BigSue said:

I purchased GENEPRO unflavored powder to mix into foods, but I don't like the way it tastes. Even though it doesn't have added flavoring, it still has a taste and I find it unpleasant. I would not drink it in plain Water. When adding Protein Powder into foods, I prefer to use flavored Protein powder for sweet foods like yogurt, pudding, applesauce, and oatmeal. I only use Genepro in savory foods like Soup, Beans, and pureed vegetables.

Perfect, thank you again. I will look into Genepro as well. Yowza, what a learning curve!

1 hour ago, TreeTrunks said:

@GradyCat Hmmm... I am not seeing anything on the website. Do they offer the samples in store? What type do you prefer?

I have gotten samples from them in the store before, but it might vary store to store. I am a GNC member and they send me a quarterly sample box of items for me to try. I use the GNC Lean Shake in chocolate.

I was poking around in the BP shop and found this. Might be a good way to try a sample. https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/genepro-medical-grade-unflavored-30g-protein-powder-sample-pack

4 minutes ago, njlimmer said:

I was poking around in the BP shop and found this. Might be a good way to try a sample. https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/genepro-medical-grade-unflavored-30g-protein-powder-sample-pack

OH Perfect!! Thank you! I will order that up today. Have you happened to try the BariatricPal 15g Protein Soup?

you can get sample packets of most/all of the Syntrax flavors in several places - including directly from Syntrax, on Amazon, or here on BP.

47 minutes ago, TreeTrunks said:

OH Perfect!! Thank you! I will order that up today. Have you happened to try the BariatricPal 15g Protein Soup?

I haven't tried anything yet. I'm hoping for surgery in March, so I've just been window shopping for different products.

46 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

you can get sample packets of most/all of the Syntrax flavors in several places - including directly from Syntrax, on Amazon, or here on BP.

Wonderful, thank you. I will check Amazon as well. Is this the brand you prefer to use?

32 minutes ago, njlimmer said:

I haven't tried anything yet. I'm hoping for surgery in March, so I've just been window shopping for different products.

Oh, we are in the same boat! My surgery is at the end of February... trying to get prepared and it is becoming a daunting task! Keep me posted on how your prep is going... I am wishing both of us the best of luck!

4 minutes ago, TreeTrunks said:

Wonderful, thank you. I will check Amazon as well. Is this the brand you prefer to use?

my two favorite brands were Syntrax Nectar and Unjury - Unjury you can only get on Unjury's Web site. They also have individual packets (and you can get one of each flavor if you look under "Bundles" on their Web site).

but as far as different brands, people's tastes vary A LOT. You'll just have to try a few brands and see if you can find one or two that you're OK with..

10 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

my two favorite brands were Syntrax Nectar and Unjury - Unjury you can only get on Unjury's Web site. They also have individual packets (and you can get one of each flavor if you look under "Bundles" on their Web site).

but as far as different brands, people's tastes vary A LOT. You'll just have to try a few brands and see if you can find one or two that you're OK with..

Yes, that is what I am afraid of... there are just SOOO many options to choose from. I am hoping to find several sample packets of different brands to try out. It would be lovely to find something I really like, but again, I have read many posts that indicate that taste changes after surgery as well. So...I think if I can find several different kinds, hopefully one of the brands I purchase will work either before and/or after surgery!

Thank you so much for the help!