share your best tip for getting your protein in

I thought those of us further along could share our best tips for getting our protein in.  I thought this would be especially helpful for the newer folks, but really it can be helpful for anyone struggling to get enough protein.  And even if you're not too far out, feel free to share if you have a good tip!

Here's mine:

First thing in the morning, put one scoop of unflavored protein powder in a dish on your kitchen counter.  Every time you get something to eat, try to put a little bit of the protein in it.  Just start with a little pinch in your yogurt, pudding, soup, sugar free hot chocolate, whatever.  Just a pinch, stir well and see if you think another pinch will still be edible.  Even using just a little pinch at a time, by the end of the day you'll have gotten an extra 20 grams of protein or so.  And if you are really just using a pinch at a time, it should not affect the taste or texture of your food at all.

 I have one almost like that. Stick it in a salt shaker!! and add it to everything. while making sure to get at least 1 protein shake in a day :) i also add protein powder to almost everything i eat anyways. (we were given the challange to TRY everything before surgery now i cant seem to stop XD) 

 ALSO MAKE SURE TO LABEL the shakers!!! lol plain, vanilla so on so that if your having something sweet or salty you dont get them mixed XD 

I have been using that same general approach to get in a second dose of calcium via the Upcal D (since I have been forgetting my evening dose of calcium too often lately).

Lora

My best suggestion is the RTD protein waters (or clear nectar protein powders) because it helps get your protein and your fluids in.  Somehow I found it much easier to drink a 16 or 20 ounce tangerine or fruit punch flavored drink with 40g of protein over the course of the afternoon than one or two milky protein shakes. (Of course, in MY case, it was the Cytomax not the Isopure waters!  Just thinking about the Isopure ones still makes me shudder!)

Lora

 Isopure waters. OMG can't do it. Will check out the Cytomax.   Jane

 I have Isopure Alpine punch (a pack of 12) sitting on my floor in the kitchen. It tastes like poison! Tell me more about the more palateable protein waters please. I've never heard of Cytomax...is it expensive? who sells it? 

The Cytomax costs about the same as the Isopure, but I think it tastes MUCH better and has no funny or nasty aftertaste (although Kelly would disagree) and it does not make your tongue feel funny or coated.  It also comes in plastic 20oz bottles instead of heavy glass ones.  There are three flavors (tangerine (tastes a little like Tang), tropical (which is bright green), and watermelon (which tastes like fruit punch that just includes watermelon).  I like all three, but like the tangerine the best.  They were too sweet for me initially, but I just poured them over ice for a while.  Now the sweetness doesn't bother me at all.

I got my first individual ones at the Vitamin Shoppe, but the new (smallish) one we have here doesn't carry them.  Mostly I ordered them by the case from www.bodybuilding.com because the cost (incl. shipping was the lowest there).  The cases are available on Amazon, though.  They make a number of different kinds of sport drinks, so be SURE you get the Pure Protein type. He's is a link so you will at least know what you should be looking for:
www.amazon.com/Cytosport-Cytomax-Protein-Tangerine-12/dp/B00 138MJ8Y/ref=sr_1_3

Hope that helps! 

Lora

Thank you for this information! I'm going to check it out. Maybe I can purchase one individually at the Vitamin Shoppe before purchasing a case. Thanks.

Thank you for this wonderful idea, I am a month post op and have been getting discouraged with my protein intake. I cannot stand the thick shakes, even before surgery...I have never liked shakes...not even McDonald's lol