High protein super-drink

[vangirl]

Hello everyone,

Prior to the surgery, I stocked up on all sorts of nutrient-laden things to prepare myself for the post-op liquid diet, to make sure I got in all of my daily nutrients and protein. So I got whey protein powder, liquid vitamins, powerade with B-vitamin complex, and something called Miracle Reds, which was suggested to me by my pharmacist who specializes in integrating traditional medicine with natural foods/supplements. You can google Miracle Reds to find out more about it, but basically it contains a whole lot of fruit and vegetable extracts, as well as acidopholus cultures and other things that sound good for you. I'm not endorsing this particular product; it just happens to be what I used. There are probably a lot of other similar products out there which are just as good or better.

The problem I've had is that I don't have the stomach capacity to mix and drink all of these things separately, so I decided to combine them all together. Because the end result tasted surprisingly good, I thought I'd post the recipe here.

1 TALL glass

1/2 to 1 cup low-calorie powerade with B-vitamin complex, plain or berry-flavoured

1 scoop Whey Gourmet Strawberry Banana Smoothie (a whey protein powder, containing 23g of protein)

1 scoop Miracle Reds

3 tablespoons liquid multivitamin syrup, preferrably berry-flavoured

water to fill up the glass

Directions: mix everything together, starting with the powerade and liquid vitamins, then adding the Miracle Reds, and then slowly adding the whey protein powder and water.

Result: A sweet, 185-200 calorie drink, containing daily vitamins, minerals, 23g of protein, an extra boost of B-vitamins, antioxidants, acidopholus cultures, enzymes, and other natural herbal goodies.

It can definitely be improved upon (e.g. using protein water instead of regular water, adding liquid iron, using milk or soy milk to boost the protein content, etc.), but this is what I'm drinking right now, and it's not too bad. I'm already feeling a boost of energy. One of these a day will probably give me everything I need, if I add the liquid iron and more protein to it. It's really sweet, so I'll probably add more water next time.

-Vangirl

[vangirl]

ERG! I left a part of the drink to finish later, and discovered that really tiny grains had separated from the rest of the drink and settled down at the bottom. When I first mixed the drink, I didn't taste a grainy texture, and I don't know what component of it is the grainy part (the whey protein or miracle reds). Anyway, I suppose it could be strained, in case the drink doesn't qualify as a true liquid.

[JazzyJude]

I think you are taking the 'liquids' to the extreme girl...

When I was on the 'clear liquids' and the 'creamy soups' stages, I didn't have a problem taking the chewable Mulit-Vitamin (Centrium Dr Miranda suggested) and as well the new chewable Fiber Choice - Strawberry for Weight Management (to curb hunger pangs) and either the chewable Benefiber tablets (Orange Creme) and/or the unflavored powder Benefiber.

For the protein, I used the Whey liquid protein bullets (42grams) that are in a tube-like (got these at GNC store). They have (4) flavors orange, fruit punch, grape and blue raspberry. I don't drink the whole thing all at once because of the strength it gives. I sort of match a flavored drink, either Gatorade (orG2) or Crystal Light, with the liquid protein and drink half in the morning and the other half early afternoon. It works wonders and you don't have any dizziness or anything.

Just a suggestion before you make too many scientific experiments with all kinds of stuff where you can do something simplier (smile)...

Hope this helps ypu...

[flipman416]

Yeah with protein drinks you have to be real careful. If taste seems to be an issue, some people have tried the ones that are tasteless and you can bake with them or just add them to the food you are already eating. GO here and take a look if interested.

https://www.bariatricadvantage.com/catalog/...Handler?id=1240

[vangirl]

Lol, before the surgery, I was taking a veritable cocktail of supplements that was more complicated than this drink! I have certain medical conditions that require higher doses of certain vitamins and minerals. Chewable multivitamins just don't have enough of those. Even the liquid iron I bought for the liquid stage has only 10% of the iron in the pill I was taking before the surgery. So for me, I have to be more conscious of getting enough of certain nutrients.

Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of products in Canada that are available in the US. Our GNC doesn't carry the protein bullets, and we don't have Special K protein water. At least I haven't seen any in our grocery stores, and believe me I've looked!

[JazzyJude]

Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of products in Canada that are available in the US. Our GNC doesn't carry the protein bullets, and we don't have Special K protein water. At least I haven't seen any in our grocery stores, and believe me I've looked!

You can order the liquid protein on line is how I got mine when the GNC store were out of them at the time I needed them. In fact, I got a bigger discount at the time when I purchased them.

AND, ValleyGirl (Sabrina), who lives in Canada, says she couldn't find the Special K2O water either but found a better one call, "Stacker 2"? It has more proteins too! Check it out!

[vangirl]

You can order the liquid protein on line is how I got mine when the GNC store were out of them at the time I needed them. In fact, I got a bigger discount at the time when I purchased them.

AND, ValleyGirl (Sabrina), who lives in Canada, says she couldn't find the Special K2O water either but found a better one call, "Stacker 2"? It has more proteins too! Check it out!

Thanks JazzyJude!

Valleygirl and I live in the same area, so that's sweet!

-vangirl

[louisem]

Vangirl

I live in the lower mainland too and I am being banded on Dec 15. I tried the stacker 2 brand and it isn't bad (available at shoppers) but you can only get it ready to drink which makes it more expensive. I also found an ice tea flavoured mix (also at shoppers)that I tried and it wasn't very appetizing. I think I am going to try cutting it with real ice tea and see how that goes. at 20 g of protein it has way more than special K2O so even cut in half it is more.

I am planning a little cross border shopping expedition to look for K20 and other supliments in Bellingham. If I find any thing of interest I will let you know. Maybe if all goes well we can seen if Valleygirl wants to get together for a quick trip after Xmas.

Louise

[vangirl]

Vangirl

I live in the lower mainland too and I am being banded on Dec 15. I tried the stacker 2 brand and it isn't bad (available at shoppers) but you can only get it ready to drink which makes it more expensive. I also found an ice tea flavoured mix (also at shoppers)that I tried and it wasn't very appetizing. I think I am going to try cutting it with real ice tea and see how that goes. at 20 g of protein it has way more than special K2O so even cut in half it is more.

I am planning a little cross border shopping expedition to look for K20 and other supliments in Bellingham. If I find any thing of interest I will let you know. Maybe if all goes well we can seen if Valleygirl wants to get together for a quick trip after Xmas.

Louise

That's a great idea Louise! I was talking to a personal trainer today, and she told me that the selection in the US is much better than out here. I'd definitely be up for some cross border shopping in the new year. The high protein drinks here either taste awful or they have a lot of calories and don't have as much protein (e.g. 12-15g) as the awful-tasting drinks. The London Drugs high-protein meal replacement tastes good but only has 12g of protein. Boost also tastes good but has 15g of protein and 240 calories. We're supposed to get at least 30g of protein post-op.

For now, I'm actually really liking this Whey Gourmet, which I found at London Drugs. It's the most palatable high-protein drink I've had so far (23g of protein, 120 calories) and tastes a lot better when I mix it with the other stuff.