Protein Shakes - take 325

I talked previously about protein shakes and how frustrating it was finding something that wasn't too sweet, now that my taste buds have changed, and that would not make Ms. Pouch feel ooky.  I think in my search, I have tried pretty much every known protein, that is suitable for gastric bypass patients, known to man.  And let me tell you, if you are one that ends up with sensitive taste buds, it will not be an easy process to find something that works.  You will be tempted to give up the search many times.  I know I was, and actually did for a little while, but finding the right protein supplement will really make a difference in the long run.  So stick with it. 

What finally worked for me was thinking outside of the box and what was normal for me.  I was so stuck on trying to find a chocolate protein drink, since that is what I was doing before surgery and I love chocolate, that I pretty much neglected any other options.  It wasn't till it was pointed out that I could get an unflavored protein and add it to some fruit that the light bulb finally went on in my head.

What is currently working for me is using a frozen berry and yogurt mix that Yoplait has available in the frozen food section. 

It is made with greek yogurt, upping the protein content, a big plus!  And is not too sweet.  I use Silk Soy milk now rather than the almond milk I was using in previous shakes, as it has more protein per 8 oz, again upping the protein content.  Also I was getting ooky stomachs with some of the protein shakes I made with almond milk. Whether that was the protein or the almond milk, I never did quite figure out, BUT the soy milk has 5 more grams of protein per 8 ounces, so its the clear winner.  Finally, I add a scoop of unflavored protein.  I have tried three different brands and so far they have all sat fine with Ms. Finicky Pouch.  So since she doesn't seem to be picky with the unflavored (so far) I go with the one that gives me the biggest protein bang. 

This drink can give me anywhere from 35 - 43 grams of protein, depending on the stats of the unflavored protein that I am using.  Since that is nearly half of my minimum protein for the day, having finally found this drink makes me exceptionally happy.

Notes - I don't know if its the content of the yoplait stuff or my blender, (I use a Blendtec blender) but it does blend up very very floofy.  Because of this, it can take me upwards of an hour to an hour and a half to drink the entire thing.  Since it is so high in protein and I have heard that GBP people can't absorb more than 30 grams of protein at one time, I am quite ok with it taking me so long to get through it.  I figure the longer it takes, the more likely I am to actually be absorbing all of the protein.

For people who dump, this is probably not a very good option.  The berries and whatever added stuff that yoplait puts in these pouches make the carb count high and the sugar is a whoping 12 grams.  I don't dump (a good and bad thing) so I am able to tolerate this, and for whatever reason, this does not taste overly sweet to me.  All the protein drinks, shakes, mixes, etc that I tried were so sickly sweet it was like drinking syrup.  This drink is not like that for me. 

Finally, it is VERY pricy, no way around it.  I am paying for the soy milk, the protein powder, and the mixed berries yoplait mix thingy.  It is probably close to $4.00 a drink.  But I figure that if I never blinked an eye at paying that much for coffee ... something that is so nutritionally packed and good for me post surgery really shouldn't bother me to pay that much for it.  (It does, but I am working on it.)

For me, this solution is one that I am not really questioning too much (other than the price).  It's not the best option, but after what was a long, excruciating search to find something that works, is tasty, and doesn't give me ooky stomach, I am going to go with it.