Comparison of Fruit-Flavored Protein Drinks

I was introduced to protein drinks when I had gastric bypass surgery a few years ago. Gastric bypass patients often need to supplement their diets with protein drinks for a while, until they can eat a great enough volume of food to get sufficient protein from diet alone. Other people use protein drinks, too, including some that are trying to lose weight, some on a low carb diet and some that work out a lot. Most protein drinks are kind of like milk shakes, available in flavors like vanilla and chocolate, but sometimes I like something different. These fruit-flavored protein drinks offer a nice alternative.

4Ever Fit Fruit Blast Strawberry Kiwi

It's hard to talk about how protein drinks tastes or which taste best, since everyone has different tastes and preferences. 4Ever Fit Fruit Blast strawberry kiwi flavor makes me think of Snapple, but it comes in a variety of other flavors as well. It's a protein powder meant to be mixed in water. It offers 25 grams of protein and 100 calories, with no sugar.

Cytomax Orange Tangerine Ready-to-Drink

Cytomax ready-to-drink protein drinks remind me of Gatorade, except I think they have a metallic aftertaste that I find unpleasant. My favorite flavor is orange tangerine but they come in a couple other flavors as well. They offer 40 grams of protein and 160 calories in a 20-ounce serving and contain no sugar.

Isopure Grape Frost Ready-to-Drink

Isopure ready-to-drink protein drinks are similar to Cytomax, but I think they have less aftertaste. My favorite flavor is grape frost but they are also available in other flavors. I like them best very cold. They provide 40 grams of protein and 160 calories in a 20-ounce bottle, and contain no sugar or carbohydrates.

Isopure Berry Pomegranate Smoothie

I personally prefer Isopure smoothies to their ready-to-drink protein drinks. The smoothies remind me of a smoothie made with yogurt, but they are thinner than I would make a smoothie myself. I don't detect any aftertaste from them. My favorite flavor is berry pomegranate, which offers 32 grams of protein and 210 calories per serving. The only downside for me is that it also contains nine grams of sugar.

Syntrax Nectar Roadside Lemonade

Syntrax Nectar roadside lemonade is another protein powder meant to be mixed with water. I have some friends that like to mix it with different flavors of Crystal Light for unique tastes. One thing I like about Syntrax Nectar is that is mixes easily if shaken in a bottle with a lid; no need to drag out the blender. One serving provides 23 grams of protein and only 90 calories; it contains no sugar.

Sources:

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

Vitalady, Inc. http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&keywords=4Ever&template=Templates/4Ever.html. 4Ever Fit Fruit Blast.

Cytosport. http://www.cytosport.com/products/cytomax/cytomax-protein-ready-to-drink. Cytomax Protein Ready-to-Drink.

Isopure. http://www.theisopurecompany.com/en/drinks. Drinks.

Isopure. http://www.theisopurecompany.com/en/smoothies. Smoothies.

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