What the heck do I do with protein powders??

Hi Everyone,

i just ordered some samples of Syntrax- Roadside lemonade, mint cookie, carribean cooler and a vanilla. I also ordered a chike iced coffee. 

Two question, how are you all preparing these? When are you using them?

I tried cookies and cream today with skim milk and two ice cubes. Barely tolerable!

im still pre-op. Any input would be great!

I have to prepare mine in a blender. I have a shaker bottle but no matter how hard I shake it, it is still not blended well enough. I use 8 oz skim milk too. You can also add something to them for more variety. For example, with the vanilla you could try a tablespoon of SF pudding mix. I also like the torani sugar free syrups. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003PFUNU4/ref=s9_simh_gw_p325_d1_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=069CHSWSM911CE1XC0VH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200422&pf_rd_i=507846

Oh and the roadside lemonade has to be prepared with water. That is the only one I use water with. I like that I get extra protein with milk.

My go-to has been Syntrax Nectar Vanilla Bean Torte. I have found that the best way to mix it is to blend together whatever else I'm going to have in my shake - mil**** cubes, benefiber (if I'm adding it) - FIRST, then add the protein powder and just PULSE to blend. Don't let the powder blend for too long, or you'll end up with that weird "protein foam" on top that is totally off-putting.

I also occasionally brew some chai tea, freeze into ice cubes, then blend that into some milk before adding the vanilla... Ends up tasting a bit like a chai latte!

I shake up 3 cups of water with the lemonade (2scoops for 46 gms protien) and sip it for quite awhile..

i dont add add milk to anything since I'm trying to keep my carbs low.

i hated the cookies and cream flavor but am ok w the nectar chocolate and lemonade. I also like adding Unjury unflavored protein to the Lapsf chicken bouillon. The warm stuff goes down much easier for me.

I like instant coffee in my vanilla. I also made a yummy hot coco with my Choco nectar. Don't over heat though or it gets chunky .

Just as a caveat, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on protein powder pre-op because a lot of people's tastes change after surgery.  Mine haven't so far (I'm about two months and a week out) but a lot of people have that experience.

I like the Caribbean Cooler flavor blended with plain water and ice, but the vanilla I prefer with milk.  (I use plain soy milk, but you can certainly use cow's milk or almond milk or any other kind of milk you like.)  I've never found the lemonade or the mint cookie as samples, so I haven't tried them, but I'd imagine that the lemonade goes well in plain water or Crystal Light lemonade.  Not sure about the mint cookie.

If you do a little googling, you can probably find some protein drink recipes.  My surgeon's office actually gave me a list of recipes, but there are several collections of them online.  I know of a phenomenally huge list that's on another bariatric surgery forum, but I'm not sure if I should link it here since it's not on THIS forum.

I make an awesome coffee shake:

8 oz of vanilla soy milk

1 tbsp of artificial sweetener

1 scoop of Power Maxx Vanilla protein powder

4 tsp of instant decaf coffee (you can add more if you want, the more coffee the less you taste the protein powder)

7 ice cubes

I stir everything together except the ice. The I put add the ice once everything is mixed well and blend with my nutra bullet, but you can use a blender too. I still have not mastered no foam. I don't think it's possible.

I really enjoy this shake. I crave them. 

I forgot to mention, Eggface has a lot of fun ideas for protein drinks (and meals for every stage) on her website. Www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com.

I also make mine in a blender with half ice and half water. They come out like a smoothie in consistency and I'm very sensitive to texture so that's important to me.

But I agree, don't put a lot of effort into it pre-op. In fact, don't put ANY. Most people find, especially immediately post-op, that their sense of sweet, sour and salt will change. The boards are littered with people who have tubs of protein powder they loved pre-op but can't stand post-op!