The Protein People APC (Active Protein Complex) Whey Protein, Creamy Vanilla, 2-Pound Tub Review

Monday, November 29, 2010 by Larry Selden | Posted in bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, General, protein drink, protein powder, protein shake, whey protein

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Finally, a protein powder that tastes good, not overwhelming!

For gastric bypass patients, protein drinks are essential. Without them, it's very difficult to ensure sufficient protein. Most of the protein drinks on the market, though, have one of two problems: either
(1) they have too many additives, or
(2) they taste terrible, especially after surgery.

I love the taste of these Protein People APC powders. They taste like a light and rich version of natural vanilla and chocolate, with just a little bit of sweetness. The flavors are subtle, not overwhelming.

I usually have mine mixed into 8 oz of skim milk (the routine recommended by my surgeon and the nutritionists who work with him). OK, I admit it, I sometimes add in a little coffee and warm it up. The powder mixes more readily than most protein powders. I use a wisk ball (as in a Blender Bottle) or shaker cup most of the time, but have found that I can also blend it into a hot beverage with just a spoon. Pretty good, given how lumpy some of these products can be even with those devices!

The resulting taste is like a mild vanilla or chocolate milk or latte, not like a super-sweet drive-through milkshake. Finally! A subtle taste is so important when you're drinking something twice a day, every day. But don't confuse that for bland. I've had co-workers and people at professional gatherings catch a wiff of my beverage, comment on how good it looks, and ask where I got the fancy latte, so they can get one, too. I've finished a tub and re-ordered, and am still happy with them (I'm alternating between vanilla and chocolate). Previously, at least since surgery, I've never even been able to finish that first jar of the drink powders I've ordered.

All told, this is a very good product. I recommend it highly, especially to those who have undergone gastric bypass.

A little more about the two points above:

(1) The first kind may be fine for some folks, but they won't do for those who have had bariatric surgery. The majority simply have way too much sugar. Maybe that's fine for those looking to bulk up.They probably aren't healthy for most people (all those extra empty calories, and the blood sugar effects!). They certainly aren't going to work post-surgery, when staying away from high-sugar foods is important both for general success and for avoidance of some very unpleasant reactions. Some other drinks may be okay where sugars are concerned, but contain too many additives, reducing the protein per serving or including all kinds of supplements that actually make it harder to follow a good vitamin and mineral supplement routine, given the need to separate some kinds of vitamins and minerals in time (so they don't block each other's absorption). So, what we need, post bariatric surgery, are drinks that are pretty much just a high-quality protein source with good texture and some minimal flavorings, as needed to make them pleasant, or at least tolerable, to drink. Which brings us to ...

(2) The taste. I've tried scores of protein drinks. Even before I had my surgery, once I knew I was going to have it, and especially once my husband had his, I knew this was going to be important, as nutritionists and other patients often emphasize. Most of the drinks I tried tasted horribly sweet and/or artificial. Occasionally, I would find one I liked, only to discover that it wasn't really a protein drink but a candy-like "meal replacement," full of stuff I wouldn't be able to tolerate, or shouldn't have, after surgery.

Once I actually had surgery, it got even worse. For reasons not yet well-understood, bariatric surgery changes your sense of taste. Your sensitivity to sweet and salty things becomes much greater. This is mostly a good thing -- you can taste new, subtle flavors, and you may find that you need very little salt or sweetener to achieve the taste you like. But this sensitivity makes the overly-sweetened and artificial-tasting protein drinks even worse. Many move from not-good-but-tolerable to nauseating.

But these, The Protein People APC drinks, are just right. I am so happy to have found them!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Protein People APC (Active Protein Complex) Whey Protein, Creamy Vanilla, 2-Pound Tub

Product Description:

Tutti Fruitti Smoothie

1 ScoopAPC 100% Whey Vanilla
1Small/Medium Banana
3 Large Strawberries
1/4 cups Blueberries
1/2 cups Skim Milk
1/2 cups Yogurt
1/2 cups Ice Cubes

Chocolate Mocha Smoothie

1 Scoop APC 100% Whey Chocolate
1 tsp. Dutch Cocoa Powder
2 tsp. Coffee
1/2 cups Skim Milk
4 Ice Cubes
2 grams Splenda (2 packets)

Banana Split Smoothie

1 ScoopTime Release Protein Vanilla
1/2 Small/Medium Banana
2 Large Strawberries
1/4 cups Crushed Pineapple, Canned
1 cup Skim Milk
3 Ice Cubes
2 grams Splenda (2 packets)

Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

1 scoopAPC Time Release Protein Chocolate
1 tbsp. Peanut Butter
1 cup Skim Milk
1 gramSplenda (1 packet)

Hot or Cold Chocolate Milk

1 ScoopAPC Soy/Whey Chocolate
1 oz. Cream
7 oz. Water

Tropical Blast Smoothie

1 ScoopAPC Soy/Whey Vanilla
1/2 cups Orange Juice, Low Pulp
1/2 cups Crushed Pineapple, Canned
3 Ice Cubes
1 gramSplenda (1 packet) Protein is one of the three "macronutrients" in the human diet. (The other two are fats and carbohydrates.) One major point of difference that sets proteins apart from the other macronutrients is that our bodies cannot completely synthesize proteins. In other words, we need to get proteins from our diet. Proteins are responsible for a long list and wide variety of essential functions in our bodies including the growth and maintenance of muscle, bones, cartilage, hair, skin, and nails. Proteins are also needed to make certain enzymes, hormones and blood. Proteins also help enhance immune function.
One exciting benefit of dietary protein is that it increases feelings of fullness (satiety) when compared to equal amounts of carbohydrates and fats. The result is that we can eat fewer calories from protein and feel just as satisfied as we would from eating greater amounts of carbohydrates. Protein is a natural appetite suppressant!
The Soy Health Claim
In October 1999, FDA approved a health claim that can be used on labels of soy-based foods to tout their heart-healthy benefits. The agency reviewed research from 27 studies that showed soy protein's value in lowering levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "Bad" cholesterol).
Food markets can now use the following claim, or a reasonable variation, on their products:
"Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of APC Whey/Soy Protein provides 6.25 grams of soy protein (APC Whey/Soy Protein contains a total of 25 grams of protein per serving coming from the combination of Whey/Soy Protein)"
To qualify for the claim foods must contain per serving:

6.25 grams of soy protein
Low fat (less than 3 grams)
Law saturated fat (less than 1 gram)
Low cholesterol (less than 20 milligrams)
Sodium value of less than 480 milligrams for individual foods, less than 720 milligrams if considered a main dish, and less than 960 milligrams if considered a meal.

Whey Proteins
Whey protein is a natural mixture of smaller proteins that are derived from dairy milk. APC Whey Protein contains high amounts of essential amino acids that our bodies need every day!
Because of APC Whey Protein's excellent and immediate absorption, these amino acids get into the bloodstream rapidly. Whey protein is rapidly absorbed and for that reason is effective at stimulating muscle protein synthesis (muscle growth) during periods of recovery immediately following exercise.
Time Release Proteins
As mentioned, Whey Protein is absorbed very rapidly. Rapid absorption has its benefits as fast absorption is ideal in the morning, immediately following exercise, etc. However, there are times when a slower, more sustained absorption of protein is beneficial. If and when there is gang to be a long gap between meals or between snacks, time release proteins can be utilized to fuel your body during this time. APC Time Release Protein is a perfect example of a protein product that can help you accomplish this goal. APC Time Release Protein utilizes a unique and precise combination of five different proteins, all with different absorption profiles. This precise combination provides a full spectrum of fast absorbing, medium absorbing and slow absorbing proteins to combine a sustained release for several hours.

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