Comparison of Vanilla Protein Shakes for Gastric Bypass Patients

Gastric bypass patients are often advised to supplement their diets with protein shakes. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) suggests consuming 1.1 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight, and since gastric bypass patients are limited in the amount of food they can eat at one time, they sometimes need help getting all that protein in. I like vanilla shakes because I like the flavor of vanilla, but also because I can add so many ingredients to them to get just the flavor I'm looking for; for instance, I can add some decaf instant coffee to a vanilla shake, or some frozen strawberries and half a banana, or some fresh orange juice.

Chike Very Vanilla Protein Powder

Chike is one of my favorite protein powders. It makes a thick, creamy shake when mixed in a blender. It provides 28 grams of protein, 190 calories and three grams of sugar in a two-scoop serving; I usually just use one scoop in an eight-ounce glass of milk, though.

Isopure Zero Carb Creamy Vanilla Protein Powder

Isopure Zero Carb creamy vanilla protein powder offers a whopping 50 grams of protein in a two-scoop serving. Most people don't need that much protein in one shake, however, although according to the ASMBS gastric bypass patients can absorb large amounts of protein like this. You can use just one scoop if you prefer for 25 grams of protein and 105 calories. It contains no carbs or sugar.

Syntrax Nectar Vanilla Bean Torte Protein Powder

One thing I like a lot about Syntrax Nectar vanilla bean torte protein powder is that it mixes well if you just shake it in a blender bottle; you don't have to drag out the blender. It makes a creamy shake with lots of vanilla flavor. It has no sugar or carbohydrates, only 90 calories and 23 grams of protein per serving.

Unjury Vanilla Protein Powder

Unjury vanilla protein powder is notable because it mixes really well in hot drinks, like a vanilla latte or hot apple cider. Of course, you can use it in cold protein shakes, too. Unjury provides 20 grams of protein, 100 calories and four grams of sugar.

Atkins Vanilla Ready-to-Drink Protein Shakes

I prefer mixing up my own protein shakes most of the time. When I'm in a hurry, though, ready-to-drink protein shakes come in handy. The nice thing about the Atkins shakes is that they are readily available at most grocery stores and drug stores. The downside is that they only contain 15 grams of protein, which is relatively low for a protein shake. They also contain 160 calories and one gram of sugar per 11 ounce serving.

Sources:

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

Chike Nutrition. http://www.chikenutrition.com/. Chike.

Isopure. http://www.theisopurecompany.com/en/powders. Zero Carb.

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

Unjury. http://www.unjury.com/store/reg/vanilla_flavored_protein.shtml. Unjury Vanilla Protein.

Atkins. http://www.atkins.com/Products/Advantage/Vanilla-Shake.aspx. Vanilla Shake.