whey protein powder

[Riverwhispering]

Has anyone talked with a renal dietitian about whey protein powder?   For some reason couldn't find any info on all knowing google  about the potassium and phosphorus content in it.   

Before I found out I had CKD,  I used to make this really wonderful "healthy" protein bar out of it using chocolate whey protein powder, nuts, oatmeal and honey.  I would eat some after I went to the gym for a pick me up.

Pretty much I guess honey is the only safe thing for us now unless the whey protein powder is ok to use.

[Whamo]

Egg white protein is the best.  It has zero phosphorus.  Whey proteins usually list their protein content.  They vary.  When they say 10% it usually means 100 mg. of phosphorous.  You have to look for the potassium content as well.   Check the labels.  They don't always list them.  Even egg white protein has potassium.  The best protein bars I've found are the peanut butter "Oh, yeah".  They come in 14 gram of protein or 27 grams of protein bars.  The phosphorous in the 27 gram bar is 8% or 80 mg.  The sodium is 115 mg.  The potassium level isn't listed.

I used to mix whey protein with greek yogurt, but my potassium tests were high.   Since I switched to "Oh, Yeah" bars my labs are in the sweet range. 

[Riverwhispering]

I don't want to buy protein bars but thank you for the info. 

What I want to know is how much potassium and phosphorus is in whey protein powder.  I can't find it anywhere.

[cattlekid]

The dietitian at my old center always suggested Body Fortress Whey Protein.  I looked it up at bodyfortress.com and for the chocolate flavor, there is 62 mg of phos and 190 mg of potassium per 38g scoop. 

You can buy it at WalMart.

[Riverwhispering]

Thank you so much Cattlekid.   I'll look for it.

[Riverwhispering]

Well just looking at my spread sheet I see that eating roasted chicken white and dark meat with the skin and 80% lean ground beef are all quite a bit lower in phosphorous and potassium then whey protein powder and with a lot less calories.

You guys are great.... that helped me with decisions on choosing which proteins I want to eat.

Thank you so much

River

[Restorer]

You want to find pure whey protein isolate. That has as much of the bad parts of milk stripped out of it, and it's just the protein. It's usually very good in potassium and phosphorus, but you want to find a brand that lists its own potassium and phosphorus on the label, just in case, because processing can differ between manufacturers.

When you're comparing types of protein, you want to compare the potassium and phosphorus in relation to the amount of protein, not necessarily the serving size. For example, chicken breast has 228 mg of phosphorus and 256 mg of potassium for 31 g of protein. 80% lean ground beef has 226 mg of phosphorus, 380 mg of potassium, and 27 g of protein. The brand of whey protein isolate I've used has 70 mg of phosphorus and 168 mg of potassium for 25 g of protein. Obviously, that's a lot less P and K for the same amount of protein - and that's just one scoop of protein powder, compared to half a chicken breast or 3.5 ounces of cooked ground beef.

[Riverwhispering]

good point, I wasn't thinking that way.   What brand do you use?

[MaryD]

On the strength of Matt's suggestion I have just ordered 4kg of whey protein isolate.  I was hesitating about getting it, but my albumin level says I am definitely not getting enough protein so I have lashed out.

I have been stuffing myself with protein to the extent that I have no room for my veggies, which are my favourite foods.  I have trouble fitting any food in on top of my protein. 

As it's stinking hot here I'm about to try my famous iced coffee with whey protein in it.  I bought a small sample from the local health food store this morning.  Fingers are crossed that this will work.

[Restorer]

I haven't used whey protein much - I just haven't needed it - but when I did, I used NOW Foods Whey Protein Isolate (nutrition information here, Amazon link here). It takes some blending to get it to dissolve, and it's unflavored so it tastes like, well, whey protein, but it's just about the best protein you can get for the P/K.

[Restorer]

Along these lines (and now the know-it-all asks for help ), has anyone found a good protein powder mix that made a good shake, tasted good, dissolved easily, didn't have artificial sweeteners, and had low phosphorus and potassium? (I know, a huge list of conditions.)

Obviously the unflavored whey protein isolate I posted about will do, but I'd have to mix in my own things and use a blender to make it a drinkable shake. I didn't make many shakes when I had the pure stuff, because it was just too much work. I want something I can throw in a shaker with some rice milk, shake, and drink. My roommate has a giant container of protein shake powder that makes a decent shake, but it has a ton of potassium and phosphorus, plus artificial sweeteners (I can't stand how they taste).

Alternatively, are there any egg protein or soy protein powders that might fit?

[MaryD]

After reading your suggestions on whey isolate powder I bought 4 kilos.  They sent a shaker with a small stainless steel wire ball in it.  I find that a thorough shaking dissolves everything - or at least macerated it to the extent that I don't notice it in a smoothy or an iced coffee.

One of my PD nurses was a little concerned about the whey powder, but the dietitian checked it out a decided it was OK.  My albumin levels are now up where they should be and my K and P levels are normal too, though they have never been a major concern for me (touch wood)

Now winter is coming I'll have to try it out in some sort of hot drink.  I don't fancy polluting my tea or coffee with whey powder.

[Zach]

Designer Whey "natural" flavor has no sweetener at all.
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=XN-1006

Here's more info on pure whey isolate or pure whey concentrate:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=16766.msg291842#msg291842

[Whamo]

S'mores bars by "Pure Protein" have 19 grams of protein, 42 mg. of potassium, and 40 mg. of phosphorus.  It doesn't taste too good, but it's palatable.  I eat them everyday, with egg whites, on weekends, so my weight doesn't blow up on Mondays. 

[Restorer]

Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm also looking pretty closely at cost and calories (for weight gain). I can buy Balance bars for $1 each, 15g of protein, 200 calories, 150mg K, 150mg P. Whamo, how much are those Pure Protein bars? I think I've seen them and they have sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners, which rules them out for me.

[Whamo]

I buy them at "Fresh and Easy" for about $1.50 or something like that.  I'm not diabetic so sugar doesn't phase me.  I don't eat a lot of it, but sometimes, yes.  They're 200 calories, in any event, so that's not much.  I like "Balance" bars, but the phosphorus level is like 25% in those things.  4% is more my style.

[rsudock]

I really appreciate how so many of you share your knowledge about the food aspect of this disease....THANK YoU...better then ANY dietician I've ever known!! So can you use this whey protein as meal replacement?

Xo,
R

[Restorer]

I really appreciate how so many of you share your knowledge about the food aspect of this disease....THANK YoU...better then ANY dietician I've ever known!! So can you use this whey protein as meal replacement?

Xo,
R

It wouldn't be a good idea to replace meals with whey protein alone. The kinds that are meant to be meal replacements are too high in potassium and phosphorus, and the kinds we can have don't provide many nutrients other than protein. Maybe if you mix your own smoothie with soy/almond/rice milk, whey protein, flax seed or walnut oil if you need the fat, and honey. But it's still lacking in some things compared to a real meal.

You can mix whey protein into your foods, too. Make pancakes with it, or add it to sauces.

[Zach]

You can mix whey protein into your foods, too. Make pancakes with it, or add it to sauces.

Or make ice cream using whey, too.

For meal replacement (or to add more calories and protein to your diet) you may want to try Novasource Renal, which is for dialysis patients.  It has no sugar alcohol, just regular sugar.
http://www.allegromedical.com/dietary-supplements-c522/novasource-renal-8-fl-oz-tetra-brik-paks-p192048.html

 

[Restorer]

Or make ice cream using whey, too.

 

Oh yeah, that too! Link to Zach's High Protein Chocolate Whey Ice Cream because he didn't link it himself. 

[MaryD]

Now winter is coming on I have been experimenting with hot dishes with whey powder added - namely hot chocolate and porridge so far.  I've done each of them twice now and both have produced one horrific failure each, and one success each.  It seems when the whey powder is heated it clogs together somehow and it quite unpalatable.  I can't see why one lot of each has been a roaring success and the other lot quite chunderable.

Any suggestions?

[Restorer]

Oh yeah, that's one thing I noticed. Mix it into cold liquid only. If you put it in hot liquid, it will cook and clump and be really not good. If you're going to put it in something hot, mix it with enough cold water to turn it into a smooth(ish) paste first. A whisk or blender might help.

[MaryD]

That would explain the porridge disaster.  It was quite stomach churning!  Many thanks

[Restorer]

I tried to do the exact same thing. Mixed the whey powder with dry Malt-O-Meal. Added boiling water. Stirred. Ended up with gritty, clumpy Malt-O-Meal. Like curdled milk. Bleh.

[SteveK87]

I'm subscribed to the DaVita newsletter that sends recipes and what not through e-mail.  They recently just came out with a list of supplements they recommend http://www.davita.com/education/article.cfm?educationMainFolder=diet-and-nutrition&category=lifestyle&articleTitle=energy-and-protein-boosters-for-dialysis-patients&articleID=8006&spMailingID=5293453&spUserID=MjAyNDYyNTY5MDIS1&spJobID=197578401&spReportId=MTk3NTc4NDAxS0 .  Hope this helps some of you.