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Old 01-04-18 | 05:18 PM
  #11  
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canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,520
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From: Texas

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

I've been using Raw Lean vanilla by Nature's Science, and Go Lean vanilla vinyassa by Kashi for about a month. Both are plant based, and both are comparable in nutrients. Walgreens had discounted 16 ounce containers for each so I tried both.

Raw Lean: Serving size 45 g, 150 calories, 20 g protein (assuming mixing in plain water)
Go Lean: Serving size 40 g, 160 calories, 20 g protein (assuming mixing in plain water)

Nearly identical. Both mix well in water or other liquids. I usually premix one or the other and keep a day's worth in the fridge. It's a bit more cost effective than premade nutrition supplements like Boost, Ensure, etc. The powders are less sweet with fewer calories than the premade drinks.

Raw Lean is more milkshakey. I liked it best mixed with Silk brand soy eggnog over the holiday. I've also mixed it with cold coffee in the morning, with a little vanilla ice cream.

Kashi Go Lean is a bit more beany in flavor and grainy in texture. It mixes easily but still leaves a grainy texture when shaken up in a capped bottle. It might mix more smoothly in a blender, I haven't tried that yet.

Both can be pretty gassy, especially the Kashi. Probably depends on the individual's digestive system. Digestive enzyme supplements help.

I mentioned on the T&N forum a few weeks ago that I discovered I'd been operating on both protein and calorie deficit for awhile and didn't realize it until I suddenly felt exhausted this autumn. Routes that I'd handled fairly easily over the hot summer were exhausting and I was getting slower.

My weight was dropping but it wasn't a good kind of weight loss. At 5'11" and usually around 160 lbs I didn't need to lose weight, but by last month I was dropping to 155 and feeling weaker.

I began using the MyFitnessPal app to record my diet and it turned out I was getting only about 1,100-1,500 calories and 35-50 gr protein a day. Lots of pressures and distractions had combined and I didn't even notice that I wasn't eating enough until it hit me.

Since then my 79 y/o mom has had a rough transition from surgery to rebuild her femur and knee (severe osteoporosis -- it just snapped spontaneously), to physical rehab and probable long term nursing home care. As her caregiver for the past 10 years (she also has dementia), I'd been neglecting my own health since we lost funding for in-home nursing aides in 2015. Most days I'm lucky to eat one meal, so the supplements are very handy.

Both supplements contain fiber so they appear to be a reasonable substitute for a meal, if not entirely satisfactory in terms of eating experience. But I haven't noticed any digestive problems (other than the usual bean related gas). I'm lactose intolerant so the dairy-free stuff helps. I can occasionally munch a whey based energy bar during a long ride, but don't eat them at home.

So I can recommend those two products.
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