Protein Shake - What's YOUR favorite? Or favorite recipe?

[Dovelette]

So everyone by now knows my strong feelings about the benefits of protein shakes - they help control carb cravings, they ensure we don't lose muscle, we don't know how much protein we actually GET from food so it's preventative medicine, there is evidence that eating protein food can lengthen your intestines or cause "fingers" to form inside your intestines because your body is trying to adapt to not getting proper nutrition. It is important, of course, to choose the RIGHT shake - one that is low carb or zero carb, preferably less than 5g of carbs for 30g of protein. Why so low? Because carbs start to break down in our mouths and are very easily absorbed, they are not mal absorbed and thus can cause our weight loss to slow down. Sticking with a high protein low carb diet, including shakes, is the BEST way to lose the MOST weight in the FASTEST time.

Now, as long as you are not a distal bypass (most of us aren't) then you should be fine with just 1 to 2 shakes a day. However, some folks HATE HATE HATE shakes (I did at first!). What to do?

Lets use this thread to post our favorite shakes and our favorite recipes to doctor up shakes so that we have some ideas on experimenting!!

[Dovelette]

My favorite shakes are Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard. They come in like 20 flavors and are delicious. They mix well in water with a spoon. They are even better blended with ice.

My favorite flavors are:
Chocolate Malt
Chocolate Mint
Cookies and Cream
French Vanilla
Banana

My FAVORITE shake in the ENTIRE world is:

30g ON Chocolate Malt
1 T natural PB
7 ice cubes
2oz water

Blend in Bullet. You will never want ice cream again.

I also like:

Vanilla with cinnamon
Banana in the blender with 1/8c peanuts
Any of them with a splash of cream, ice and water in the blender

What about you??

[judyd]

So we can have protein shakes aren't they full of carbs?

[bonnielougreen]

so if I have an atkins shake I need to add more protein to it?? I really like them,,

[Dovelette]

Not only CAN you have protein shakes, you SHOULD have them. Again, you are shooting for low carb shakes, like 5g or less per 30g of protein. They are generally lower in fat as well. They should be WHEY, either Isolate or a Blend. AND you should mix them with WATER not milk (though some of us add a splash of cream or PB once in a while).

They end up being about 100 to 150 calories. I can give you some popular names if you like as well. As far as the Atkins shakes, I'm not familiar with them but if they aren't WHEY protein they aren't the best shakes for you. The shakes are typically in powder form and you make them yourself. With all the flavors and products out there you are bound to find at least ONE that you really like!

I like...
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard
Champion Pure Whey Stack
Designer Whey
Isopure
Syntrax

There are places on line you can find samples of these, and many many others, so you can taste til you are content.

Remember...shakes will make you GAIN if you get ones that are high in carbs and/or you mix them with milk. They are GREAT for RNY patients (and other malabsorptive surgeries) with carb cravings, weight loss, etc.

[judyd]

Originally Posted by Dovelette

Not only CAN you have protein shakes, you SHOULD have them. Again, you are shooting for low carb shakes, like 5g or less per 30g of protein. They are generally lower in fat as well. They should be WHEY, either Isolate or a Blend. AND you should mix them with WATER not milk (though some of us add a splash of cream or PB once in a while).

They end up being about 100 to 150 calories. I can give you some popular names if you like as well. As far as the Atkins shakes, I'm not familiar with them but if they aren't WHEY protein they aren't the best shakes for you. The shakes are typically in powder form and you make them yourself. With all the flavors and products out there you are bound to find at least ONE that you really like!

I like...
Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard
Champion Pure Whey Stack
Designer Whey
Isopure
Syntrax

There are places on line you can find samples of these, and many many others, so you can taste til you are content.

Remember...shakes will make you GAIN if you get ones that are high in carbs and/or you mix them with milk. They are GREAT for RNY patients (and other malabsorptive surgeries) with carb cravings, weight loss, etc.

Oh my thanks!!! for all the info! Those sound great and when I get to the city again...I will look for some One thing is for sure I learn something new every day on here! You all don't know how much I appreciate every tip and post...even when it is not directed at me!!! I wish there was a pdf or doc we could download wiht what is what and why we needed it.

Have a great day!

[Haziefrog]

I am one that hate hate hates protein shakes, they make me so nauseous, and my surgeon, who knows what he is talking about does not want us to drink them after the first 6 weeks post-op. He wants us to get our protein in real food, and to only use the shakes when you can't get it in, I manage to survive without them.

I would also call myself a success, since my surgery was over 6 years ago, and I have maintained my weight loss, oh and I am not a gray ghost (at least I hope not)!! I do have gray hair though, but that is only because I have not colored it in a long time!

[judyd]

Even though whey protein is no doubt the best protein you can get, you shouldn't take too much of it. Too much of a good thing can be harmful. Extremely high consumption of whey protein could overload your liver and cause some serious damages.

So I think I will just stay on the safe side and not do them as I ma already consuming a lot of protein.

[gharkness]

This is a bodybuilding page! You have to take into context what they are selling, and who they are selling to.

Now, by all means, don't take it if you don't think you should, but please realize that we have special needs that in no way are reflected on a page that sells to body builders! (P.S. - It's baloney, for anyone, including body builders).

[judyd]

I know nothing about this to really to make a decision one way or another. I will read up and learn more...thanks!

[Dovelette]

I personally don't agree. How much you need will depend on your nutrition, your goals and how proximal or distal you are. Distal folks need 5 to 6 shakes a day; more proximal folks typically do 1 or 2. I know a lot of surgeons say to get your protein from food, but as mentioned above, everyone should be responsible for their own health and do their own research. I have spent years researching it (7, 2 before surgery) and came to the conclusion that
1. There is no information on how much protein we now absorb post op
2. Protein deficency, even later out, many years, is common for folks with mal absorptive surgery; not only do we not have the intestines to absorb the protein, as it is absorbed mostly in the first part of the intestines which are bypassed, we don't have the gastric juices to digest the protein
3. There is evidence that your intestines will grow and adapt to not having easy to digest protein

I spent the first year doing shakes, and then I petered off. My labs have ALWAYS been fantastic even without shakes. But I can absolutely tell a difference between my energy, my carb cravings, my muscle growth and my overall physical health since I started back on shakes. I think they are crucial during the first year when you really can't eat enough and it's recommended to do at least 2 a day; later, 1-2 depending. Also, lots of people do really really well with their labs for a while, and then for what ever reason BAM they tank. Who knows why; some is probably just being lax with supplements. Some think it's because our blood tests don't accurately measure what's really going on (like with calcium).

Anyway, I personally am not affected by whether or not folks do shakes lol, but I do feel that many surgeons (not all, but very many) do not have any background in nutrition in general nor the nutrition of post ops and frequently give us poor diets post op.

But I really just wanted this thread, not to debate protein, but to give ideas for making shakes tasty by sharing favorite brands and recipes! So please, post away!!

[amidala64]

Whatever shake I make I add a heaping teaspoon of Virgin Coconut Oil. It makes me full for hours after and is super nutritious.

As a bypassed person I know how every bit of nourishment counts and as Dovelette said, we should look for the most nutritious bang for our nutritional buck :-)

[judyd]

Oh my goodness yall forgive me. I didn't notice I was on the surgery forum. I agree folks that can not eat a full normal sized meal should drink shakes! Sorry I was reacting on the wrong forum....carry on...carry on....I' out of here!

[pattysparkle]

Dove.............you are "the man"...thank you so much for prodding me last week, I am down 10, had been frozen, love ya girl !!!

[tams66]

I love Jay Robb, it's a little pricey but the taste is great and theres not a lot of additives. I do mix mine with 8 oz of calorie countdown milk (3g carbs and the shake mix has 1g). I usually add vanilla so I can flavor it however I want...

[gram1648]

I am also a great fan of J Robb Whey protein shakes, they even taste good mixes in plain old water lol.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Dymatize Elite Butter Toffee.

[pattysparkle]

Down eighteen pounds the last two weeks, Protein is a big factor ....without a doubt.


Patty

[Dovelette]

GO PATTY!

My scale is moving too! I'm a slow loser, over 5 years out, and I've had LOTS of stalls despite my eating lots of protein. Well over the past couple of weeks I've focused on getting 2 shakes in, and I'm down another 2lbs! Gonna keep up this route lol, nearly to my lowest post op weight (155) and planning on keeping it going down!

Right now my fav shakes are either ON Vanilla or Choco Malt with 1T of PB and a splash of cream, 7 ice cubes and 3oz water in my bullet. Gonna go make one now in fact!

[bonnielougreen]

great jobs on the protein everyone, I had better up mine too,

[Abbott]

I had a gastric bypass 30 months ago and have had at least 80 grams of protein each day. I do not like shakes....never have. I also had a bone density test two years ago and it came in low.

I drink 2-3 bottles of Believe each day. Sometimes I mix from dry powder the Inspire flavors for a protein drink. However the Believe taste so good!! I know I am addicted to it. I took my bone density test just last week and discovered by bones/calcium is doing great. What I discovered is that the Believe drinks each have 50% of your daily requirement for calcium (1000 mg per day). I was easily getting 1,800mg each day of very easily absorbed calcium for a gastric bypass person and didn't even realize it. Boy, am I happy!!!!!!!!

I recommend this drink to everyone.

[bonnielougreen]

I have never heard of Believe but it sounds good, where do you get it?
bonnie

[Abbott]

I am assuming that I cannot list the site. Go ahead and Google Believe protein drink.

The drink comes in a glass container which maintains the taste of the drink. They currently have 3 flavors. My favorite is the Mocha Latte. Each bottle is 9.5 oz and has 20 grams of Protein, 5 Carbs. and 120 Calories. The drinks are very thin and not at all like a milk shake. I like them best very cold so I always take a small ice bag with a couple of drinks in the bag for when I am on the road. There is no after taste and I always feel very full when I finish off a bottle. Because of shipping they do cost, but I found that the benefit of the calcium and having a protein drink that I really like worth the cost!!!

[bonnielougreen]

thanks, why didnt I think of that,, I have been drinking Muscle Milk lite,, which is alright but not great,,

[melsreturn]

Believe is the drink put out by Susan Maria Leach on Bariatric Eating.
She has also come out with several powders, and has more in the works. Her original release of the products a few months ago were a little weak and needed some additives (I put some espresso powder, etc in mine) but the new ones are said to be stronger and better.

It has been said that she purchased AchievOne's old formula... you remember, the one in the glass bottles, prior to them putting them in cardboard drink boxes? I will give you a big tip on the AchievOne and the Muscle Milk Light in the cardboard boxes. If you pour them into another container over lots of ice, they are really much better tasting. I think that the cardboard container taints or changes the flavor.

Oh, and congrats Patti and Dovelette on your weight loss these past few weeks!! That's awesome.

My favorite protein concoction is:
1/2 scoop of Chocolate Champion Pure Whey Stack
1/2 packet Moo Magic Chocolate Milk mix
1/8 scoop of Syntha 6 Mochachino
2 oz Labrada Lean Body RTD Vanilla
6 oz water, lots of ice!

[amidala64]

For any of us who get bad reactions from processed powdered protein I found
Kelly the Kitchen Kop (a Real Food advocate) has listed this really nourishing recipe on her site:


* pastured egg yolk(don’t eat raw eggs unless you know they come from a good source!)
* raw milk (or at least whole milk that is pasteurized but not ultra-pasteurized – see this healthy milk post for more info on why.)
* raw cream (” “)
* whey (leftover when making cheese)
* pinch of sea salt
* Flavoring options: fresh organic fruits (for a smoothie-another great alternative to “protein drinks”), organic coconut milk, organic chocolate syrup, organic cocoa powder, a dash of cinnamon, organic vanilla, a dash of nutmeg (for an eggnog), a little fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice. (Can you think of more ideas? Just think of the flavorings coffee shops use in their steamers…add your ideas in the comments!)
* Sweeteners: a little local raw honey or real maple syrup, (or you may not need a sweetener if you used fruit or the organic chocolate syrup). You could also try Stevia – if you do, let me know how that tastes.

Happy Protein-ing!

[andipand]

Originally Posted by Dovelette

My favorite shakes are Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard. They come in like 20 flavors and are delicious. They mix well in water with a spoon. They are even better blended with ice.

My favorite flavors are:
Chocolate Malt
Chocolate Mint
Cookies and Cream
French Vanilla
Banana

My FAVORITE shake in the ENTIRE world is:

30g ON Chocolate Malt
1 T natural PB
7 ice cubes
2oz water

Blend in Bullet. You will never want ice cream again.

I also like:

Vanilla with cinnamon
Banana in the blender with 1/8c peanuts
Any of them with a splash of cream, ice and water in the blender

What about you??

I made your shake, it's very good!!! :-)

[emitch]

Put me in the I hate protein shakes catagory. I do however LOVE Syntha Six (not sure if I am spelling it right) and can totally stomach those. I also really like Muscle Milk.

[gharkness]

Syntha Six can hardly be considered real low in carbs, (though they might work for you....just sayin,) And yes, they're good.....because they are not low in carbs :-)

[emitch]

They were recommended by my NUT, I didn't think the carbs were high...now I'll have to check