protein drinks etc....

[Kev]

I'm looking at drinking some of these for a bit, it's not to lose weight or anything. I'm going to have 15 teeth pulled this coming friday, going to be put under atleast :) Bit of advice even if you dont' have dental insurance don't put off going for over 10 years. But I figure I won't be able to eat solid food for a bit, so these protein shakes or whatever sound like a good alternative. Anyone have any recomendations on one that is somewhat healthy and tastes decent?

[Maurizio]

Wow... 15 teeth pulled? How come?

I was in your possition about two years ago. I had a bad cycling accident and landed on my face -- breaking my jaw in two places, knocking my bottom teeth back into my head, and cutting up the inside of my lips pretty badly (not to mention loosing skin on the bottom half of my face). It was all liquids for me for four weeks -- and I had to keep on going to high school during the healing process. It sucked... (Thank God for plastic surgeons)

First, buy a good blender if you don't already have one. Forget stuff like Endurox and other recovery powders, because stuff like that just doesn't taste normal if you're thinking of substituting it for daily meals. What I suggest is buying a lot of canned soups. A lot of canned soups are surprising high in protein (pea, lentil, etc...). After heating the soup up on the stove or whatever, put it in the blender to pulverise any solid ingredients in the soups. Tastes good, and tastes normal.

I lived off of blended soups for breakfast lunch and dinner for a month. It wasn't too bad.

Hope your recovery is quick,

- Maurizio

[ngateguy]

For breakfast I use protein powder, milk, cocoa(like nestles quick) and frozen banana (peel and break up the banana before freezing) blend it and it takes the most mundane tasting protein powder and turns it into a creamy shake. I even use soy and rice milk. You might also look into smoothies they are a good source of protein and added fruit for your dietary fiber and vitamins. Also hot cereals like cream of wheat or oatmeal (instant or quick cooking) with a little butter, sugar and milk could be soft enough for you. That might add a little variety to an all soup diet and the smoothies and protein drink are like desert I use any protein mix also. Here are some recipe links that you can find smoothie recipes and there are also a bunch of soup recipes that are quick and easy and taste a whole lot better than Campbell's or progresso. Good Luck!

http://everydaycook.com/
http://www.allrecipes.com/
http://www.napastyle.com/kitchen/recipes/recipes.jsp

Hint any recipes calling for heavy cream or half and half you can substitute plain milk if you want Bon apitiet

[Kev]

My main problem with alot of smoothies etc, most require milk which I am allergic to. As for how come, well I did not have dental insurance for years, and my teeth slowly got worse for years, (I darnk WAY to much soda, never alot of candy.. maybe once every 2weeks or so, but atleast 6 pack of soda a day).. first my back teeth cracked..broke whatever, no extreme pain so I put it off, at that time was fairly broke new born baby.. wife lost her job etc.. Then progresively got worse through the years, and looked at going to dentist looking at $1200 per root canal, I have to do about 5-6 of those also. Right before december I got laid off, and earlier this year wife filed for divorce, guess ex-wife now. Well having a 5 year old son I qualified for medi-cal. I have a $300 share of cost, but my ex-sister inlaws agreed to pay that for me (must not have been to bad a husband).. So went to dentist she did x-rays etc.. pulled at one of my back teeth already last week, but determined she could not get out atleast one of them so reffered me to a oral surgeon which I went to on friday, I have a deathly fear of needles and also slight phobia of any doctors..I went in for what I thought was consultation and he started in on we will try to get most out today. Well I sort of freaked out.. when I saw the needle and the dental tools.. shaking really badly could not really move etc.. so he decided I could not sit still to get this done conscious thank god!!! Currently not in much pain normaly even though I have quite a few absesed teeth. So I'm looking forward to this.. excited.. also scared to death of being put under never done that before pain afterwards.. looking like a freak for a bit till I get partials to cover the wholes etc.. but I figure how much worse could I look, the top portion of a few of my front teeth area already broken. Anyone reading this even if you don't have insurance at first sign of damage to your teeth go to a dentist, in the begining it is fairly inexpensive in long run you'll be very grateful!! Sorry for rambling on..helps ease my nerves a bit, but better yet I think I'll go for a ride now :)

[RWTD]

Though I don't have much experience with them you may want to consider some of the balanced nutrition drinks like ensure etc.In any event your challenge might be getting adequate fiber so using soups with blended vegis or water based whey/soy protein drinks with blended fruits are good ideas to include as well .

[killerasp]

i agree with RWTD. nutritional suppliments like ensure are full of vitamins and minerals. my friend who was severly suffering from lack of vitamins, etc, (fainting more than often) took that stuff 3x a day and he felt much better, much more energy during the day.

but i never take that stuff b/c it seems like only old folks need that stuff.