Do truly flavorless protein powders exist?

[feyangel]

I'm experiencing some difficulty getting my protein shakes down. I'm not having issues getting other fluids down, such as Crystal Light and plain water. I was wondering if anyone has found a truly flavorless protein mix; I would love to find one I could mix with my Crystal Light. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Justa-Puter-Name]

I have an extremely sensitive sniffer so my nose will pick up scents that my husband swears does not exist. Since i can smell it you can bet I can taste it too.

So based on that, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, there is no such thing [in my world] as a flavorless or smell-less protein.

[califsleevin]

There are several that are "flavorless" from the perspective that they have no added flavor but that doesn't mean that they don't have some protein supplement taste (just as "no added sugar" means just that - none was added but not that there is no sugar in the product.)

The best that I have come up with is to mix them with things that are more strongly flavored to mask the taste. When I make a protein shake, I usually use a powder like EAS that is fairly mildly flavored (at least in their chocolate variety) and then add some cocoa powder and/or SF chocolate syrup and maybe a little peppermint extract to the mix to boost the non-protein flavors. Likewise, when I make a protein loaded pudding, instead of using 2 scoops of powder and 2 cups of milk in the mix, I drop them to one each and add a cup of greek yogurt to the blend - similar protein content but no noticiable (to me, at least) protein powder taste in exchange for some added tartness from the yogurt.

[Deleted]

As a previous poster said there is a difference between flavorless and tasteless. There might not be flavor added but there is still going to be some taste. That said, there are some unflavored protein powders that are less offensive than others. It all comes down to a matter of personal taste. What is good to one person may not be to another.

Of the unflavored protein powders that I have tried, Any Whey Tasteless is the least offensive to me. I have never tried mixing it with something like Crystal Light but I have tried it in coffee and mixed with some foods like pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. It's doable.

I have a very sensitive nose and the smell of most protein powders is enough to make me gag. Enough so that I'd never get them past my nose to get them down my throat.

However, I have found a protein powder that I absolutely love and have no trouble with. It's Champion Nutrition Pure Whey Stack - Chocolate. No protein powder smell or taste and it is pretty tasty. I mix mine in my coffee for a mocha-type drink.

Vitalady sells samples of protein and it's a good way to try out different types before investing a lot of money in the large containers.

[Deleted]

I don't know the answer to your question .. but, I did find that the Syntrax Nectar proteins worked wonderful when mixed with Crystal Light. I would put a scoop into a large cup with lots of ice & water and my crystal light and mix well. I could sip on it and have no issues.

I know if you buy those at Vitamin Shoppe, for example, you can try them and if they don't work for you they will refund you. It's a good way to try things out. I do try not to abuse the privilege though!

[charlee]

Califsleevin, I exalt you for your 'splainin' ability!

Feyangel, I tried a couple of unflavored brands and they didn't work for me. I went through a lot of samples from Vitalady before I settled on one I could enjoy. Everyone's taste is different. If you post asking what the best protein powder is, you'll get a trainload of responses, almost all different. The one that I like (Nature's Best Isopure Zero Carb Vanilla) is hated by some, but some of the other very popular brands/flavors tasted like rubber skunk butt to me.

My advice is to order samples and try til you find one you like. Good luck!

[Psyche]

I have never found one that works for me.

[Deleted]

Nope. They all have a taste.

I'm told that Now brand unflavored is pretty inoffensive, but haven't tried it yet. I tried one last summer before I knew what brand it was, and I refuse to mention the name because I do not want that brand to get so much as one web click. (I will say it was not Unjury, because their "unflavored" tastes as much like ass as all their other ones.)

[dentongirl]

I have the same aversion to the protein powders. So I have been using a prepared liquid protein shot 26g no carbs which can be mixed w crystal light no problem. The shot itself has a berry flavor which mixes nicely w raspberry crystal light. I also used it just mixed w water makes a lightly berry flavored clear pink water.

[Psyche]

Jan 8, 2012 22:45:43 GMT -5 dentongirl said:

I have the same aversion to the protein powders. So I have been using a prepared liquid protein shot 26g no carbs which can be mixed w crystal light no problem. The shot itself has a berry flavor which mixes nicely w raspberry crystal light. I also used it just mixed w water makes a lightly berry flavored clear pink water.

What kind is it?

[Dudette]

I spent the weekend hunting for a flavorless protein to add to my DS pantry. I tried two GNC's, one Vitamin Shoppe, Walmart, Target, Sam's Club and Walgreens. No luck. Can you even buy flavorless protein retail... or is only available for purchase online? Just wondering.

[dentongirl]

Body fortress fruit punch protein shot. I get mine at Kroger ( grocery store). I am going to experiment and make high protein raspberry jello sugar free including a bunch of these shots. Should be yummy

[Sandra C.]

I like Nector unflavored protein powder, mixes into soups, can't taste or smell it. Unjury unflavored was undetectable to me too.
The shots did taste the best mixed with Mio, but not advised by my baritrician, if it has collagen as its primary protein source, its not a complete protein. I did used it for a few weeks as a break from the Nector flavored protein. Try them all out, everyones tastes are different.

[Deleted]

Collagen is not recommended as a complete protein because it does not have the necessary amino acid profile. Therefore, ALL of the companies who create the "shot" style of protein using collagen add the appropriate profiles to make it a complete protein. It is at that point, very good and a usable form of protein. I lived on these the first year out of my surgery and had fantastic results.

[Sandra C.]

Thanks for the info talitali.

I am going to look into using "shots" in combination with fresh real foods because I am having dry mouth problems with most of the other protein mixes, which include calcium. I can take calcium in a pill form. My primary concerns are about preventative measures for health with aging, strengthening the immune system and building muscle with exercise. My nutritional requirements are not just about dropping pounds at this point.

My researching collagen lead me to Whttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/collagen. "Collagen is a poor-qualitysole source of protein since they do not contain all the essential amino acids that the human body requires.""They are not complete proteins as defined by food science. Scientific research has not shown strong claims of manufacturers of collagen-based dietary supplements."

Phil Kaplan- fitness expert-"Collagen protein is incomplete in the amino acids to build muscle, slows metabolism in the long run"

www.livestrong.com/article/342620-natural-sources-of-collagen/

Collagen,Amino Acids, dietary sources of lysine& proline:
"Free radicals damage collagen, contribute to aging and tissue destruction."
"Animal foods rich in protein- meat,chicken,fresh fish,rig whites,wheat germ,dairy,peanuts.
Fresh fish-rich in coenzyme Q10 promotes collagen regeneration in the body."

Natural sources of vitamin C helps the body produce and repair collagen.
Fruits-rich source- oranges,lemons,strawberries,kiwis,guavas,rose hips.

Veggies- broccoli,red and green peppers,brussel sprouts,wheat grass.

Hyaluronic Acid-seaweed,kelp,sweet potato,avocado,mango,chicken wings, fish soup"

References: "Human Biochemistry & Disease";Gerald Litwack; 2008

I have always been an advocate of fresh foods for health. Since my D.S. I have needed to search for alternatives during my healing period. I did use the" shots" successfully for a short period. Tried all the protein shakes. Now I am ready to add more healthy choices, wean myself away from shakes with real foods, a variety of meat, chicken and fresh fish ,hopefully more fresh veggies and fruits as time goes on. The "shots" may be a good addition to a mostly fresh diet. Definitely deserves more research with respect to D.S. nutrition.

Question for those of you who use mostly "shots" as a protein source-- How are your labs? How do your doctors, bariatricians and nutritionists feel about "shots" as a sole protein source?

[dentongirl]

Interesting. Based on all this feed back about the shots (which is so helpful thank you) I went to my braiatric surgeons office today and showed the bottle to the nutritionist. She said it was fine. I think as someone said above that if the amino acids are added then it's ok. I'm 10 days out from surgery so I have no labs yet. The powder is such a problem for me that I am thankful for the shots. I have an appt on Thurs and will ask for more info and post. Thanks all for your inputs. This is very helpful.

[Sandra C.]

Thanks Dentongirl for asking about shots.
I had one today, and felt much better with it. Planning to take it to my bariatrician next time. My bottles also say they are a complete protein, if we can believe them.;-)

[brybry76]

I just ordered the shots and the crystal light because the protein powder/milk combo have come to repulse me. Thanks for the tip dentongirl!

[Sandra C.]

My shots come from Sams. There are cases of all fruit punch flavor, or another brand with assorted flavors. I mix one into 16 oz water," to go cup" and 3 squirts Mio. 42g protein.

[sherbearmama]

What about flavorless egg protein powder? Does anyone have any experience this and how does it do mixing in with other foods?

[Psyche]

I loathed the egg protein powder. It made me gag.

[Psyche]

Jan 8, 2012 23:37:53 GMT -5 dentongirl said:

Body fortress fruit punch protein shot. I get mine at Kroger ( grocery store). I am going to experiment and make high protein raspberry jello sugar free including a bunch of these shots. Should be yummy

I will check that one out, thanks! Having a purse-sized pre-made option would come in handy at times for me.

[sherbearmama]

Jan 9, 2012 23:03:26 GMT -5 Psyche said:

I loathed the egg protein powder. It made me gag.

What was wrong with it??? Did you drink it straight or mixed with something?

[Psyche]

Jan 9, 2012 12:24:51 GMT -5 Sandra C. said:

Question for those of you who use mostly "shots" as a protein source-- How are your labs? How do your doctors, bariatricians and nutritionists feel about "shots" as a sole protein source?

I did shots straight out the gate post-op... they were also part of the post-op clear meal at the hospital... my surgeon and nutritionist as well as the hospital dietician backed them. A tube was on my tray breakfast, lunch and dinner so I was getting a good amount of protein right away. My PCP did a bunch of research and told me to go for it.

My labs were great.

[sherbearmama]

Tell me more about the protein shots--are they small (like shots of alcohol)? Can you just shoot them or do you have to mix them in something?

[dentongirl]

You can shoot them but I dilute mine in a 16 oz bottle of water. If you drink them straight the taste is quite potent sort of like super concentrated kool aid this weekend we went to the movies and I took one in my pocket. I got a bottle of water and put the shot in it. Fun to feel like there is something I can have on the go.

[Raven]

100% absolutely without flavour - not that I have found. Aside from water everything has some type of flavour even if it is very subtle.

I have had an impossible time tolerating most protein powders due to artificial sweeteners - specifically sucralose. I take a whey isolate protein powder from New Zealand with no added sweetener or flavour. It has a very subtle flavour and I find I can add it to plain cold water and drink it without issue. If mixed with something stronger (milk or yogurt), I can't detect its taste at all.

[sherbearmama]

OK, so will someone please post a list of a few brands of the shots of protein. I'm only 5 weeks out and really struggling with protein. I'd love to go out tomorrow and try these shots :-) !!! Thanks!

[Deleted]

Jan 9, 2012 23:24:23 GMT -5 sherbearmama said:

Tell me more about the protein shots--are they small (like shots of alcohol)? Can you just shoot them or do you have to mix them in something?

They're about 3 oz. each and come in these really amusing tube things that could inspire art projects or other uses

[Deleted]

Jan 9, 2012 18:51:57 GMT -5 dentongirl said:

Interesting. Based on all this feed back about the shots (which is so helpful thank you) I went to my braiatric surgeons office today and showed the bottle to the nutritionist. She said it was fine. I think as someone said above that if the amino acids are added then it's ok. I'm 10 days out from surgery so I have no labs yet. The powder is such a problem for me that I am thankful for the shots. I have an appt on Thurs and will ask for more info and post. Thanks all for your inputs. This is very helpful.

They are certainly better than nothing at this stage. That's what I tolerated very early out, too. The powders I loved preop all gagged me postop. So I was VERY motivated to get my protein from food ASAP .

Now there are a couple of RTDs that I find palatable if not entirely tasty: XAPP is a clear lightly carbonated thing, about the size of one of those big soda cans, for 40 grams of protein. Isopure makes a smoothie that I like okay for 30 or so grams. And there is a GNC Amplified Wheybolic something or other that's 40 or 50 grams in one drink that's tolerable in some flavors.

I do okay nowadays with mixing the GNC Amplified Wheybolic Extreme powder, one scoop for 20 grams, in 4-6 oz. of water and chugging it like a shot.

Hopefully your tolerance range will expand, too. If not, there's always meat to be had down the road. Supplements are not an absolute NEED if you're able to get your protein from food and your levels stay up.