Yummy way to increase protein!

Hi All,

I responded to a request for information yesterday on how to increase protein, and the replies I got to that made me think I should post this for everyone to see! 

When I worked on the West Coast I often visited people's homes to see their children.  In Vancouver I worked with families from many cultural backgrounds.   I always learned so much from them and truly enjoyed myself.  The East Indian families I worked with often made me the most delicious chai tea and it's that delicious sweet tea I have adapted for my new tummy.

I buy Celestial Seasonings Decafinated Chai Tea (India Spice Tea) and I mix 4 tbsp. of skim milk powder into it and add a drop or two of liquid Stevia for sweetening.  It's soooooo yummy and the spices (cardamom, etc.) are very soothing to my new tummy - and it has 9 grams of delicious protein!!  

One thing I have learned is not to add boiling water to the milk powder.  It'll cook it into disgusting curds   - ew!  I mix the powder first with a bit of cold water in the bottom of the cup and then add the boiling water for better results. 

Be sure to let the tea steep good and long (5-10 minutes) and squeeze all of the spicey goodness out of the bag before you discard it.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  This is one I never grow tired of, and I've been drinking 2 or 3 a day for weeks!  Throw in a little benefibre and it'll keep you movin', too!

That sounds delicious. I'm going out today to get some chai tea bags! Thanks!

Been wondering how to replace my Starbucks Chai Lattes. Great idea!

So, are you saying a cup of tea has 9gms of protein? Could I use semi skimmed milk in it?  I am in the UK and I have looked it up.  The have it on Amazon but it's £34 for a box which says 20 count, pack of 6.  Is yours the same, and would that be 120 bags, or 20 bags?  OMG I just expanded the picture, and that price is for 20 tea bags!!  That's very expensive - I best look elsewhere!

Oh my!  Don't even consider paying that kind of a price for it.  I buy it at the Bulk Barn for around $3.59 for a box of 20 bags. 

If you look and can't find it, send me a note and I'll send some to you! 

That's really kind of you.  I checked the local supermarkets online, and they do the Twinings one at Tesco and Asda, so I'm going to stop off on the way to work, and stock up.  I love all those types of spices, anything clovey or cinnamony is good with me!

Someone has also suggested the Syntax Nectar whey protein.  I have bought whey protein and not been able to drink it without gagging - so I have ordered the Syntax, and will give that a go.  I like salads and veg but can hardly eat any because once the protein is in, I don't have any room!  If I can drink some protein instead, I will be able to eat something different from eggs, meat and cheese!

The MetRx RTD55 is quite good, but milk protein and not whey which is the best I was told. 

Thanks for all advice.  I am 3 months post op and learning all the time

Ah, I've looked elsewhere and found it cheaper, and have also found it made by Twinings which I think is based in UK.  I see there is no protein in the tea, so it must come from the milk powder, so that answers my question about adding semi skimmed milk

Hi Juney,

Yes, you're absolutely right, the protein comes from the skim milk powder.  I tried adding it to a lot of things but really didn't like it at all, until I fell onto the chai idea, and it's been smooth sailing since! 

I think I could have made this clearer in my post.  So sorry for the confusion! 

Chai is one of my favorite things ever. I love the Oregon Chai concentrate.. lived on the stuff in college!