An acquired taste, perhaps?
Written: Jul 12 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Good nutrition, good taste for the category
Cons: Doesn't mix well. Obviously an acquired taste, a little pricey.
|
|
|
| Baldwyn's Full Review: Atkins Diet Shake Mix |
I was on the Protein Power diet for about 10 months, and during that time, I lost 50 pounds, 5 inches around my waist, and experienced radical muscle gain for me, even when compared to the more aggressive gym routine I kept during University. I weaned myself off of the diet, since my wife is pregnant, and had to go back onto a diet that included carbs. The reason I started seeking out low-carb protein powders is to maintain the muscle gain when combined with my workout schedule, as well as provide a meal supplement in the mornings, when I would previously skip breakfast. My wife uses the product to give her much needed protein during her pregnancy.
In total, I've tried three different lo-carb protein powders, with Pro-Formix and a generic brand who's name I forget as the other two. So far, the Atkins' products are my favourite, and I've probably been through 5 cans total, trying three different flavours. So first off, let's look at taste. Pro-Formix was actually pretty good, and when I tried Atkins, it took a little getting used to, but eventually became my favourite (the generic brand was terrible). I remember thinking it tasted odd at first, but after about 3 months, I actually compare the taste to Wendy Frosties. This is probably due to how I make it, which I will get to later. My favourite flavour is the chocolate, but the strawberry does taste more like a shake. The cappuccino has a processed smell to it that throws off the taste, but I don't really mind it (my wife doesn't like it at all). All of the protein powders are super-fine which makes it extremely difficult to try and mix. I had clumping with all of them, with no real leader among them in the dissolving category. As for replacing meals, it does fine for me for breakfast, and I certainly don't get hungry for quite awhile. I have tried it for lunch, for convenience, but usually need something more substantial. I'm not looking for a lunch replacement anyways, however.
Nutrition-wise, it doesn't just give you protein (24 grams), you've got a healthy does of Vitamin C, potassium, and more. I wanted to get more potassium in my diet and at 500mg, this was a great boost. It is however, significant in fat (8 grams) and sodium (120 mg) content.
Now my deep dark protein shake secret. I don't drink it with just water, I use milk which does contain carbs. My morning routine is to pour a glass of crushed ice into a blender, 4 scoops of powder, mix, followed by a glass of milk, blend on the ice crush setting until it's got the consistency of a frappuccino, to get two servings (one for my wife). I swear it comes close to a Frosty, without quite the thickness. I started this again, because my wife needs the milk during her pregnancy, but I admit it tastes much better this way. With only half a glass of milk in one serving, it's not too bad carbwise (about 7 grams), and still better than a regular protein mix. The ice seems essential for giving it a shake-like consistency and better perceived flavour. So yes, the advertised "no blender required" and "great taste" is misleading, without some tweaking to the recipe.
I think it's definately one of the better lo-carb protein powder products in terms of taste and nutrition. All the other products I've tried in that category have the weakness of being hard to mix, and needing to acquire a taste for it, as well as being on the pricey end. The generic brand mix was cheaper, but almost totally unappetizing (I did finish it off, though). The GNC where I buy it from has it for $18 and change which is the cheapest I've seen it, and even other GNC stores generally sell it for more.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Baldwyn
|
|
Member: Baldwyn Chieh
Location: Castro Valley, CA
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 4 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.