I hate fake sugar!

No only do I hate the taste but I hate that it gives me migraines. Horrible pain behind my eyes and makes me want to sleep migraines. Unfortunately almost all protein powders have fake sugar in them. So when they put me on this crazy liquid protein diet I was sure that I was gonna have a migraine for the whole month! Thankfully I figured out a new plan!

First we will talk about the crazy diet requirements. The protein shakes/meals have to met the following criteria:

at least 150 but no more than 200 calories

No more than 15 gr of Carbohydrate

No more than 9 gr of fat

at least 15gr of protein

When we went to shop for protein powder most of the powders we found were flavored. And sweetened with fake sweeteners. Ugh. But I figured I had to try them. So all day yesterday I used the chocolate powder as well as a vanilla powder. By the end of the day I had the worst headache. It was horrible. Something had to change.

Today I decided to try some new things. I used unflavored powder and real food ingredients to bring the shakes up to the criteria. So today I tried Chocolate milk and unflavored protein with a little water and some ice cubes. It was tasty, stayed within the criteria and best of all did not give me a headache!

Chocolate milk smoothie ~ 1 scoop unflavored protein powder, 1/2 cup 1% chocolate milk, 1/4c water, ice cubes. Blend and drink. 180 Calories, 15g Carbs, 23g Protein and 4gr Fat.

Tomorrow I am gonna try some other recipes. Here is a few more I am gonna try.

Berry Smoothie ~ 1 scoop unflavored protein powder, 1/2 c plain yogurt, 1/3 cup berries (works for any of the following Raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry) 1/4 c water and some ice cubes. Blend and drink. 174 Calories, 15g Carbs, 25g Protein, and 3 g fat.

Cream of Broccoli protein meal ~ 1 scoop of unflavored protein powder, 1/2 cup Campbell's Cream of Broccoli soup condensed, 1/4 to 1/2 c water. Mix with wire whisk, heat and serve. 190 Calories, 14g Carbs, 21g Protein, and 7g Fat.

I can also have Cream of mushroom and Cream of Chicken although the numbers are a bit different all three fit with in the criteria I listed above.

Tomato soup Protein meal ~ 1 scoop unflavored protein powder, 1/4 c condensed tomato soup, 2Tbsp of half & half, 3/4 c water, oregano and basil to taste. Mix with wire whisk, heat and serve. 195 Calories, 13g carbs, 22g Protein, and 5g fat.

I have also decided that I like unsweetened herbal teas! I have to reframe it in my mind though. I consider it flavored water instead of tea. Like when you put lemon in your water. You don't expect it to be sweet like lemonade, instead you expect your water to have a faint taste of lemons.

So that is it so far. The diet thing is killing me, but with these new recipes I think I will make it. Although tomorrow I may go look for a different brand of unflavored protein powder.