Comparison of Chocolate Protein Powders for Gastric Bypass Patients

Gastric bypass patients are usually advised to supplement their diets with protein shakes, at least in the early days after their operations. There is a wide range of protein powders available in all kinds of flavors, but chocolate is a favorite of many. I've sampled a number of different brands of chocolate protein powders and would like to share my thoughts about those with you.

BSN Lean Dessert Chocolate Fudge Pudding Protein Powder

The BSN Lean Dessert chocolate fudge pudding protein powder offers a rich, creamy shake, even if you mix it with water instead of milk. Many gastric bypass patients and others hoping to lose weight prefer shakes that taste good mixed with water, because they get fewer calories and less sugar that way. This one mixes easily, too, when added to a bottle of water and shaken, so you don't have to drag out your blender. One serving provides 21 grams of protein, along with 150 calories and two grams of sugar.

Celebrate Bariatric Supplements Essential Nutrient System (ENS) Chocolate Milk

Celebrate Bariatric Supplements chocolate milk flavor ENS tastes just like chocolate milk. It's unique among chocolate protein powders for a couple of reasons, though. In addition to providing 25 grams of protein, one serving provides the equivalent of one multivitamin and 500 mg calcium citrate (the form of calcium recommended by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery for gastric bypass patients). Each serving also provides 150 calories and four grams of sugar. I will add, though, that I prefer mixing ENS protein shakes with milk instead of water, which does provide additional calories.

Chike Chocolate Bliss Protein Powder

Chike chocolate bliss protein powder provides 28 grams of protein, 190 calories and three grams of sugar in a two-scoop serving. It also contains a number of vitamins and minerals, making it suitable for a meal replacement shake. It's another protein powder that I prefer mixed in milk and I usually only use one scoop instead of two per protein shake. I think it mixes best in a blender.

Syntrax Nectar Chocolate Truffle Protein Powder

Syntrax Nectar chocolate truffle protein powder is a sweet, chocolaty protein shake with only 90 calories and no sugar or carbohydrates. It's also lactose-free, which is helpful because some gastric bypass patients develop lactose intolerance. As with most protein powders, I like it best when mixed with milk, but soy milk also works well for those that can't tolerate the real thing. I like this brand because it mixes easily in a blender bottle so I don't need to drag out my blender.

Unjury Chocolate Classic Protein Powder

Unjury chocolate classic protein powder is another that tastes a lot like chocolate milk. It's also notable for mixing very well into hot beverages, including hot chocolate and hot coffee drinks. It contains 100 calories, two grams of sugar and 20 grams of protein. It works well in water as well as in milk or soy milk.

Sources:

Bariatric Nutrition. http://nutrition.otago.ac.nz/__data/assets/file/0005/4784/BariatricNutritionReading.pdf. Suggestions for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient.

Thinner Times. http://www.thinnertimes.com/weight-loss-surgery/gastric-bypass/gastric-bypass-consequences.html. Gastric Bypass Consequences.

BSN Lean Dessert Protein. http://www.bsnonline.net/details/leandessertprotein.html. Protein Shake.

Celebrate Bariatric Supplements. https://www.celebratevitamins.com/shop/other-supplements/ens/ens-multivitamin-calcium-protein-shake-chocolate-milk-30-serving.html. ENS (Chocolate Milk).

Chike Nutrition. http://www.chikenutrition.com/buy-3.0.html. Chike.

Syntrax Nectar. http://www.si03.com/reg_index.htm. Nectar Sweets.

Unjury. http://www.unjury.com/store/reg/chocolate_flavored_protein.shtml. Chocolate Classic.