Looking for advice on low carb shake

Over the past 3-4 years I have observed a low carb diet to control my
weight. One thing I have grown especially fond of is a shake with
protein powder. I have found that frozen bananas make this a
wonderful shake. It ends up being thick almost as if it is filled
with ice cream. However, too many bananas introduces too many carbs
into the shake. What are other things I can put in the shake to make
it thick? I have also put ice cubes in it but it turns into a
snowball. Any ideas will be appreciated.

"Jack" <jplasater@NOSPAMjuno.com> wrote in message
news:46c34b84.80615112@news.so.centurytel.net...
> Over the past 3-4 years I have observed a low carb diet to control my
> weight. One thing I have grown especially fond of is a shake with
> protein powder. I have found that frozen bananas make this a
> wonderful shake. It ends up being thick almost as if it is filled
> with ice cream. However, too many bananas introduces too many carbs
> into the shake. What are other things I can put in the shake to make
> it thick? I have also put ice cubes in it but it turns into a
> snowball. Any ideas will be appreciated.

All the thickeners that I know are carb-laden. If you restrict your carb
intake that severely, it may be pretty difficult to find something that will
fit with your diet. However, if you allow some carbs, perhaps you can just
adjust the rest of your intake to compensate for the carbs of the banana.
Bananas are excellent nutrition.

"determined" <determi...@comcast.nest> wrote:
> "Jack" <jplasa...@NOSPAMjuno.com> wrote:
>
> > Over the past 3-4 years I have observed a low carb diet to control my
> > weight. One thing I have grown especially fond of is a shake with
> > protein powder. I have found that frozen bananas make this a
> > wonderful shake. It ends up being thick almost as if it is filled
> > with ice cream. However, too many bananas introduces too many carbs
> > into the shake. What are other things I can put in the shake to make
> > it thick? I have also put ice cubes in it but it turns into a
> > snowball. Any ideas will be appreciated.
>
> All the thickeners that I know are carb-laden. If you restrict your carb
> intake that severely, it may be pretty difficult to find something that will
> fit with your diet.

Maybe emulsified fat. The amount would need to be limited because
of the calories and because oil gets overwhelming, but something like
a bit of walnut oil and blending it longer could make a forth that
takes
a while to settle back out. Not quite the same thing as a thickener
but close. I've tried it with protein shakes in the past and there's
a
fine line between making it richer and thicker, and making it heavy
and gross. The advantage is it would balance the protein/fat ratio.

would a spoon of corn flour mixed with warm water do the trick? not
sure but it works for cooking though
On Aug 16, 2:56 am, jplasa...@NOSPAMjuno.com (Jack) wrote:
> Over the past 3-4 years I have observed a low carb diet to control my
> weight. One thing I have grown especially fond of is a shake with
> protein powder. I have found that frozen bananas make this a
> wonderful shake. It ends up being thick almost as if it is filled
> with ice cream. However, too many bananas introduces too many carbs
> into the shake. What are other things I can put in the shake to make
> it thick? I have also put ice cubes in it but it turns into a
> snowball. Any ideas will be appreciated.

"Nick Chan" <zzzxtreme@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1187229811.996752.231480@l22g2000prc.googlegr oups.com...
> would a spoon of corn flour mixed with warm water do the trick? not
> sure but it works for cooking though

that works with fat and heat... not cold

--
LFM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm walking to save lives. You can help me by donating.
http://www.the3day.org/tampabay07/jford

"Jack" <jplasater@NOSPAMjuno.com> wrote in message
news:46c34b84.80615112@news.so.centurytel.net...
> Over the past 3-4 years I have observed a low carb diet to control my
> weight. One thing I have grown especially fond of is a shake with
> protein powder. I have found that frozen bananas make this a
> wonderful shake. It ends up being thick almost as if it is filled
> with ice cream. However, too many bananas introduces too many carbs
> into the shake. What are other things I can put in the shake to make
> it thick? I have also put ice cubes in it but it turns into a
> snowball. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Instead of bananas how about using other frozen low carb fruits - blue
berries, melons, etc. As long as its frozen, you'll get a thickening to the
shake.

You could also use a bit of cream that is partially frozen to make a creamy
mix. Or use a mixer with some whole cream and make a whipped cream mix to
add into your shakes.

I haven't tried it, but you may even have luck with egg whites, cream of
tartat and some splenda to make a merangue type that you can mix in.

On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:20:44 -0400, LFM wrote:

> "Jack" <jplasater@NOSPAMjuno.com> wrote in message
> news:46c34b84.80615112@news.so.centurytel.net...
>> Over the past 3-4 years I have observed a low carb diet to control my
>> weight. One thing I have grown especially fond of is a shake with
>> protein powder. I have found that frozen bananas make this a
>> wonderful shake. It ends up being thick almost as if it is filled
>> with ice cream. However, too many bananas introduces too many carbs
>> into the shake. What are other things I can put in the shake to make
>> it thick? I have also put ice cubes in it but it turns into a
>> snowball. Any ideas will be appreciated.
>
> Instead of bananas how about using other frozen low carb fruits - blue
> berries, melons, etc. As long as its frozen, you'll get a thickening to the
> shake.
>

Berries are wonderful in shakes... and if used in moderation, can
create nice low carb shakes.

Some egg whites might help...

Another surefire shake/smoothie thickener is psyllium husks... these
will add a few carbs, but it is fiber, so you shouldn't have to worry
much about it. Just go easy with this stuff. Buy straight psyllium
husks, not the flavored junk. Start with a teaspoon, then move up if
you feel you need more thickening.

You might also try a small amount of cottage cheese.


--
Cynthia
262/229/152

"Cynthia P" <nospam@dontwannit.net> wrote in message
news:6e3bay3g2w7u.zcu0egkb707t$.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:20:44 -0400, LFM wrote:
>
>> "Jack" <jplasater@NOSPAMjuno.com> wrote in message
>> news:46c34b84.80615112@news.so.centurytel.net...
>>> Over the past 3-4 years I have observed a low carb diet to control my
>>> weight. One thing I have grown especially fond of is a shake with
>>> protein powder. I have found that frozen bananas make this a
>>> wonderful shake. It ends up being thick almost as if it is filled
>>> with ice cream. However, too many bananas introduces too many carbs
>>> into the shake. What are other things I can put in the shake to make
>>> it thick? I have also put ice cubes in it but it turns into a
>>> snowball. Any ideas will be appreciated.
>>
>> Instead of bananas how about using other frozen low carb fruits - blue
>> berries, melons, etc. As long as its frozen, you'll get a thickening
>> to the
>> shake.
>>
>
> Berries are wonderful in shakes... and if used in moderation, can
> create nice low carb shakes.
>
> Some egg whites might help...
>
> Another surefire shake/smoothie thickener is psyllium husks... these
> will add a few carbs, but it is fiber, so you shouldn't have to worry
> much about it. Just go easy with this stuff. Buy straight psyllium
> husks, not the flavored junk. Start with a teaspoon, then move up if
> you feel you need more thickening.
>
> You might also try a small amount of cottage cheese.
>
>
> --
> Cynthia
> 262/229/152

how about guar gum or agar agar?

On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:05:19 -0500, Del Cecchi wrote:


>
> how about guar gum or agar agar?


That would probably work too... though guar gum would be something I'd
have to order, so I tend to go with what's available easily locally.

--
Cynthia
262/229/152