Protein Drinks for Summer Refreshment

Summer can present challenges if you’re trying to lose weight. Some of the biggest temptations can come when it’s hot outside. Oppressive summer heat can leave you craving sweet, refreshing drinks, such as milkshakes, floats, and fruit smoothies. But if you’ve spent any time scouring nutrition labels, you know these usually have way too many calories and too much sugar to fit into your weight loss plan.

The BariatricPal Store has all kinds of healthier alternatives that taste just as good. They’re ready to drink or easy to make, and they’re packed with protein so they keep you satisfied for longer. Try these protein drinks next time you need a little summer refreshment.

Classic Protein Shakes

There’s a reason why protein shakes are the go-to for so many weight loss surgery patients and weight-conscious individuals alike. They taste good and they work. You can’t go wrong with classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, and they fit perfectly into your lifestyle since they’re available in powders, ready-to-drink shakes, and ready-to-shake bottles.

Every time you choose one, you can rest easy knowing you’re saving up to 1,000 calories compared to a fast-food or restaurant milk shake. Most of our shakes have 100 to 200 calories, and 10 to 30 grams of protein, not to mention little to no sugar.

Old-Time Floats

There’s something nostalgic about a good old root beer float, but there’s certainly nothing to miss about the price tag of 100 grams of sugar for a few minutes of pleasure. Get the best of both worlds – taste and nutrition – by making your own floats from the “beverages” section of our recipe book. Try classic root beer or mix it up with cola, and you can even whip up a chocolatey version of a high-protein float. If you’re a few months out from weight loss surgery and your surgeon suggests limiting your carbonated beverages, just use flat soda instead of freshly opened soda.

Fruit Smoothies – with Protein

Fruit certainly has its advantages: it’s naturally sweet, packed with nutrients, and nice and juicy. The clear problem with fruit when you’re on a high-protein, low-sugar diet is its nutritional profile: it’s low-protein, high-sugar! Blend those fruits into a smoothie, and you can end up with a summer surprise involving weight gain, sugar cravings, and dumping syndrome.

There has to be a better way – and there is! BariatricPal Protein Fruit Drinks give you all the fruity goodness of ripe fruit, without the sugar. Most varieties have about 15 grams of protein per serving, making them ideal as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a late evening treat to cool down. The toughest part is choosing your flavor, with options including pineapple orange, aloha mango, and strawberry banana. Don’t worry, though – if you can’t choose, consider a variety pack so you can taste a range of flavors. 

There’s no reason to resist temptation in the summer. Just channel your desires and opt for something a little more diet-friendly than sugary shakes, floats, and smoothies. The BariatricPal Store has all kinds of refreshing flavors to choose from, with low-sugar, high-protein options for every taste and occasion. You may just find this to be the best summer yet for weight loss!