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Alternatives To Protein Shakes



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Hello all!

This is my first post! I'm excited for my upcoming surgery on February 1st, but I am having a lot of difficulties with the Protein shakes. I purchased several sample packs from different companies in different flavors and I just can't get them down! My husband and I are doing the surgery together and he says it's just all in my head...which is probably right! laugh.png Nevertheless, I can't get past the horrible smell and the gritty taste. Then when I do get some down it just feels like it's sitting in my stomach funny and I'm going to puke. I'm allowed solids on my pre-op diet so I've just been substituting with lots of tuna, but I'm not quite sure what to do post-surgery.

Any ideas?

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I had to resort to Boost High Protein...only one I could get down. Another alternative is from GNC...its an unflavored whey Protein, with no artificial sweeteners or anything. You can use it to make smoothies, or mix it in milk. I mixed it in broth but it tends to clump if you add it when its hot. So...add the Protein Powder while the broth is cold.

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I do not like the Protein Drinks as well. However there is one I can tolerate. It's at Walmart. It's called Body Fortress-chocolate flavor. I have found that if I blend it in the blender (I use skim milk) and let it sit for about 5 minutes, much of the grittiness dissolves. I also put it in a cup with a lid and constantly stir or swish it around which seems to help. I have to drink it through a straw with a lid to avoid smelling it. I hope you find something that works for you. Good luck!

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I had a similar problem on my pre op diet. I would even throw up from the shakes. Even thinking about it now makes me sick! I eventually switched to sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast. It doesn't have much Protein through (only 13 grams) but I still lost 14 pounds pre op. I still drink it for breakfast 5 days a week. I love it!

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2 cups of 1% milk has the same calories, fat, carbs and slightly higher Protein as the Protein Shakes that I was told to drink. I also took a Multivitamin daily as well. I substituted milk regularly as I couldn't stand the protein shakes (I could only manage one per day, mixed with crushed ice in a cup with a lid-so I couldn't smell it). I used the milk to drink and make pureed veg soups). I lost about 20 pounds on the pre-surgery diet and my doctor was okay with my substitutions. Check with your doctor first.

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I don't like powered Protein Shakes with just milk I add a banana and a few bluie berries the a chocolate Protein shake.. I could have this post op so I bought pre made protien shakes. Premier at Sams club is 30 gm protien and really taste good. These cost more premier is 18.000 a case and I also buy EAS low carb drink in pharmacy at grocery store a 4 pack is around 7.00. Also adding 1/4 cup powered milk to your skim milk brings your protein up to 16 grams. I also drank special k it a flavored protien you add to wate. Comes in several flavors strawberry kiwi ect. It's 16 gm protein. I couldn't tolerate the sweetness after surgery so added small ants to all my Water throughout day until I drank all of the package. It comes in a tea flavor too I can find it at my stores? Hope all goes well!

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Thanks for the tips!

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The only one I really like is the chocolate Splendoe "Unjury" shake. I can't taste any grit like most do. It actually taste like chocolate milk to me.MMM001_tt2.gif You have to order it online and my doctor's office gave me a few packs to try before hand. I also like the Slim Fast To Go shakes, but I was told that they have too much sugar content in them, unless you can find the Carb version, which I have not found yet anywhere.

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I have been drinking the Premier ones from costco as well.. No chalky, medicine taste. In fact they taste like a yummy chocolate shake!

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I drank milk pre and post op never had a Protein Shake yet smile.png check with doctor tho, u can alwasys add skimmed milk to 0 fat greek yoghurt to make a yoghurt drink .. tons of good fresh Protein in them !

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My favorite are Unjury chocolate because it is not gritty and taste good and carnation instant breakfast sugar free it taste like chocolate milk. I also found to do the shakes in a blender with ice helps them go down smoother and it helps the taste. good Luck!!!

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Definitely Premier Protein from costco (160 cals and 30 grams protein) tastes like sweet milk and believe me all the other ones also taste terrible and just made me gag...also a non flavored Protein powder put into Soups etc...I got the one fromGNC and it was good. Not really noticable in soups...

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Google Chike.... its something like www.ilikechike.com ..... it's a special brand for bariatric patients only .... I tried it and it was really good, the orange was awesome. Good Luck

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Since I am a vegetarian I have to really think about protein...I eat Beans almost every day...usually (cuz I'm lazy) the veg refried canned beans from Rosarita with some sour cream or greek yog!

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Have you tried Unjury with lots of ice? Delish!

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