ObesityHelp

 ...because one of my favorite protein snacks has been reincarnated and I am doing this right now -

 Since I am all about being honest and up front, I have to tell you first that I am giggling inappropriately at the packaging of said product.  This is the same product I fell in love LOVE! with years ago, but it has been given new clothing and its all wrong.

 http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2012/03/dear-syntrax-20-mint-cookie-protein.html

Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Betty Crocker with MM Modifications, a super simple Cheeseburger Pie recipe.  This could be modified in any number of ways.  

 

Cheeseburger Pie
1 lb lean ground beef (Or use half turkey) 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (Or lowfat) 1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix 1 cup skim milk 2 eggs (Or Eggbeaters)

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
2. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in salt. Spread in pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. In small bowl, stir remaining ingredients with fork or wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.
4. Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Makes 6 servings  
 

Serve with typical burger toppings, ketchup, mustard, pickles... kids ADORE this!

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Unflavored UNJURY Whey Protein Isolate

There are a few products that are staples in the bariatric world that I have never ventured out and tried. UNJURY Unflavored Whey Protein Powder is one of them.  (I did try their Chicken Soup flavor, because it was something different and salty, and I am a sodium lover, hello Ramen Noodle Broth.) 

UNJURY was around back when I was a bariatric baby, in fact, there weren't many options back then for protein, I bought what I could find at GNC and that was that.

Today, I tried Unflavored UNJURY Protein.  It's an affordable source of whey protein isolate.  It is, $16.95 for 17 servings.

Unflavored protein for a bariatric post op is like the HOLY GRAIL. 

All of us obsess about it, "OMG WHAT IF I AM NOT GETTING ENOUGH PROTEIN?  CAN I PUT PROTEIN IN MY FOOD?  WILL I TASTE IT? OMG!"  We all do it.  But, finding a protein that does not smell or taste like protein, might be harder than getting the protein minimums down to begin with.

I should note first, some details from UNJURY:

Ingredients: Whey protein isolate and soy lecithin 

Contains: Milk and soy.  ***Note: Soy ingredient is Soy Lecithin, not Soy Protein.

For all UNJURY flavors, do not use in liquids hotter than 130º F. Proteins, when heated, change texture. For example, you have seen an egg white go from a clear gel, to firm white, when cooked. For UNJURY, in a hot liquid, the proteins tend to clump. A food thermometer is a good way to get the temperature nicely warm…just right. 

*Note: We don’t recommend mixing Unflavored UNJURY in plain water.

I ripped open a single serving packet and sniffed.  It smells like protein.  A very strong whey protein smell, and almost slightly sour vanilla.  (I got the same reaction to the Chicken Soup variety -- which I immediately wondered "Why does this smell like vanilla?")

For review purposes, I like to mix the product as-is.  I added the packet of protein to a glass, and added cold water.  I broke the rule. To be honest, the PACKET does not say, do not mix with just water.  But, I have to taste the product - NOT what I am adding to TO. 

The UNJURY protein powder may be one of the fluffiest appearing powders I've seen.  It's awfully purdy.  I mixed it with a whisk, and it took quite a long time to dissolve into the cold water.  It looked a bit horrid at a point:

And, I thought I would abort mission and throw it away.

A bit more mixing, and the powder finally dissolved.  The resulting drink was a mostly smooth, sort of clear-ish, whey-looking yellowy liquid.  (Nursing moms?  Yeah, like that.)

One sip, Beth.  One sip for a honest reaction, and then I would add it to a "preferred beverage" to give it a fair chance.

And -- one sip.  It tastes like UNFLAVORED WHEY PROTEIN.  Big shocker!  It smells like whey protein, and it tastes like whey protein.  The texture is okay, it's super-thin and there are very few chunks (curds?) floating about.  But, it tastes, because it has to.  It's the nature of the product.

Alone, it's not good.  Not at all.  They warned me.  I did not listen.

I bastardized UNJURY -  my apologies - but can coffee fix everything?

After adding stuff TO the mixed Unflavored UNJURY, it'smouth-tolerable.  The taste isn't bad, the coffee covers of the flavor of UN.  As with other whey products it leaves a sticky mouth feel.  I am not a fan of this, and I immediately want to drink or eat more after I take in a sticky-whey product.

However, the odor is horrific.  I cannot get past the cup, even with coffee added.  Perhaps heated it would be better?  I don't know, but I am not loving this at all.

That said, it is a good quality product.

As a supplemental source of protein, it's great.  20 grams of high quality whey protein isolate with a PDCAAS score of 100?  Damn near perfect.

Form your own opinions - as always - try it for yourself. 

• Product - http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2010/09/unflavored-unjury.html
• Via - UNJURY
• Price - $16.95 for 17 servings
• Pros - 100% PDCAAS Score, 20 grams whey protein isolate, decent texture, quite affordable
• Cons - Somewhat lumpy, highly fragrant, effed up my preferred beverage
• Rating - Pending, I am reading reviews elsewhere... I may try my other packet in a full-doctored up shake to confirm.
• PS.  It took twenty minutes for the manufacturer to reply this post. 
•  Via - http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2010/09/unflavored-unjury.html

 

Savory protein for the win.

Well, hello there protein.  How have you been?

From - http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2012/01/bariatric-advantage-high-protein-meal-replacement-in-chicken-broth.html

I'm in that precarious spot that I seem to find in the winter.

Hibernation mode.  (It happens.)

I have gained a few pounds -- about 5-7 lbs -- which triggers my internal post WLS alarm that SCREAMS "CUT IT OUT!  You know better, woman!"  Weight gain sparks me to pay attention to what I am doing each day.  

What have I DONE to cause this?  What has slipped into my routine that wasn't there before?  

It's pretty clear this time, but I refuse to allow it to get out of control.  (That is another post.)

What do I DO about it?  OMG! SCREAM?!  Freak out on Facebook!?  No.  For me, cutting back a little is easy-peasy.  I may replace a few excess calories with protein shakes -- for one thing.  (See also:  biting off my husband's head for the baking of the sweet-carbs!)

Today I cracked open a container of Bariatric Advantage's High Protein Meal Replacement in Chicken Broth flavor.

WAIT.  KEEP READING.  Don't you go clicking away 'cause you done think hot protein is ewwyucky!  You might have had a Bad Experience With Another Savory Protein Brand, but hear me out.

It's good.  Really.  

I opened the container, assuming I'd be too distracted with the protein smell to go ahead with the taste-test, but that didn't happen.  Score one.  The protein powder is a very light yellow color with specks of what appears to be the tiniest herbs you have ever seen.  It smells like chicken boullion powder or cubes, and a bit of whey protein.  My nose was not offended, I carried on.

I added two scoops of the powder for 150 calories and 27 grams of protein, to a BlenderBottle near-filled with water warmed in the microwave.

 

 

 I allowed the water to cool just slightly -- in case of protein malfunction.  The water was nice and warm when I added the protein and BlenderBall.  I shook it very, very well.  Again, a reason to NOT OVERHEAT YOUR WATER OR YOUR PROTEIN.  

 

What resulted was a slightly creamy chicken protein soup.  Due to the fact that it's a protein replacement -- it's not entirely clear like typical chicken BROTH.  It tastes just the same:  creamy chicken boullion.  There is zero aftertaste of protein, and I am very pleased.

To be honest - however - I had prepared a little bit of chicken boullion to ADD to this protein replacement JUST IN CASE I did not enjoy it.  (Because, I haven't always had a good experience with savory proteins -- and I do not like to waste.)  

I added a touch of the broth after a few sips, and it was A FREAKING AMAZING with it.  That said, I am a salt-fiend.  I adore the creamy, buttery flavor of a boullion cube, and that mixed with the protein, kicks arse.

I love you chicken high protein meal replacement.  

The details -- you get 27 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in one two-scoop serving of this meal replacement:

BA-

High Protein Meal Replacement soup comes in a 21 serving tub with a measured scoop to make accurate dispensing easy. Each 150 calorie serving provides a full 27 grams of protein, with only 7 grams of carbohydrate (of which 4 grams are fiber, and less than a gram is sugar) and 1.5 grams of fat. One hundred percent of the protein is from a high quality whey protein isolate (There is no soy protein, only a small amount of soy lecithin to mask aftertaste). Fortified with between 15 and 50 percent of the DV for 23 essential vitamins and minerals, this comforting soup makes a perfect meal replacement for those seeking to control calories.

They're right.  It's good.  It's good for us.  

I would certainly give it a try if you're seeking a savory option to your sweet or fruity shakes.  This product is perfect for pre-operative eating plans, and early post op.  It's way better than a can of cream of chicken soup.

• Price - $2.85 per serving
• Pros - 27 grams of protein, 150 calories, 5 grams of fiber... in a comforting, savory broth blend.
• Cons -   
• Rating - Pouchworthy, ^MM
• From - http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2012/01/bariatric-advantage-high-protein-meal-replacement-in-chicken-broth.html