Protein shakes are a MAJOR part of the post-op diet according to most of the former fatties on Bariatric Pal. So I've been experimenting! And I've actually lost weight without even trying! So here's my rundown on healthy and ORGANIC...
What you may not know about me is that I was once a chef in San Francisco and charcutier
(fancy butcher), so flavor is important to me. I will never be one of those people that just "eats to survive," because food is about care, process, preparation, and fun. My two major concerns are 1. Flavor and 2. Sustainability. I might be over 300lbs, but responsibly sourced
food is still as much a priority
for me as some twiggy hippy
. I buy my veggies at farmers markets and my meat from local farms. Locavore
brag: the meat at Whole foods is too conventionally raised for me. My meat is local to 60 miles, free range, vegetarian
fed, humanely raised, and hormone free. I choose chicken and fish over cow because it's more calorically
sustainable. High fructose corn syrup and over-processed foods are my mortal enemies. I'm tempted to get started on a world-food system- monoculture
-rant, but since I've been known to indulge in the occasional Taco Bell Fake Meat Burrito (oh god so evil and good) I think my hypocrisy is better saved for a different blog.
However - I do the best that I can in central Virginia (fresh local veggies only 7 months out of the year.) Which is why it is intensely distressing to see all these hyper-processed foods as an almost mandatory part of the post-op diet. Splenda or Aspartame Popsicles, uber processed protein powders, protein bars that have never seen an actual nut.
I've found two products that I'm pretty pleased with so far:
- Only 1 Ingredient: 100% Pure organic whey protein from the milk of grass-fed cows
- No added sweeteners, preservatives or fillers & No soy lecithin
- Sourced 100% from US Sustainable Small Farms
- Processed at low temperatures WITHOUT acid treatment
It's delicious. When you open the bag, it smells like cream. It's unsweetened so you can add it to savory stuff like creamy soups or mashed potatoes (my favorite is mashed cauliflower!). It's a great all round protein powder if you want a creamy smoothie.
Dark Chocolate Banana Almond Smoothie
1/2 Banana
5 tbsp ROW - - - 20 Grams Protein
1 tbsp almond butter (peanut works too!)
1 tbsp unsweetened natural cocoa powder (if you want it darker, add more!)
1/2 tsp ground dried stevia
handful of ice
3/4 cup Unsweetened Organic Almond Milk (only 30 calories!)
I was craving a chocolaty night snack - and instead of reaching for the ice cream I made one of these awesome chocolate smoothies and it was AMAZEBALLS. This powder is also great for your standard creamy banana strawberry/blueberry/tropical smoothies.
It's made from pure, non-GMO hemp seeds with no solvents, fillers or additives. It is certified organic, kosher, gluten-free, vegan and raw.
It is a little gritty unfortunately, but it disappears pretty well in my favorite breakfast shake.
Big Green Breakfast
1/2 banana
3 kale leaves (stems removed)
3 inches of cucumber, peel on, chopped
4 tbsp RHPP - - -- 15 grams of Protein
1/4 C blueberries
3/4 C almond milk
handful of ice
This powder is definitely more limited in its uses than the ROW, but it works well in this smoothie. You can switch up your fruits and veg of course.
So why did I pick these two particular organic products? Well... I researched different organic and non-organic options. Is whey better? What's the protein content to cost ratio? Does this one have particular complaints from customers? Does the company have a good reputation? Heavy metals?
Yes. I am this crazy. This chart is intended to tell the per day cost if I was relying on each powder to reach the 60g daily protein goal for post-op RNYers - and to compare it to the most recommended NON-Organic NON-sustainable and most widely used unflavored protein powder, UNJURY. Feel free to use this chart, or better yet - make your own! What you put in your body and what you chose to support with your $$ is important. I'm pretty thrilled with the two I picked.
