Can someone look at these ingredients for me?

IDreamInColor · Post by **IDreamInColor** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:11 pm

Hi all, I came across an ad in a magazine to for a free sample of a protein drink called "Spiru-tein" I'm currently drinking Ensure because I'm not eating so much these days because of the MC. The Spiru-tein looks a bit more nutritious than ensure.
Here are the ingredients, do you see any hidden gluten in there anywhere?

Proprietary non-GMO protein blend (rice protein, pea protein and soy [isolated soy protein and fermented soy]), fructose, raspberry flavor, tri-calcium phosphate, xanthan gum, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), freeze-dried raspberry pieces, guar gum, psyllium, maltodextrin, potassium citrate, magnesium oxide, oat bran, microcrystalline cellulose, spirulina, vitamin C, vitamin E acetate, choline bitartrate, inositol, apple pectin, bee pollen, niacinamide, vitamin A palmitate, zinc oxide, manganese sulfate, ferrous fumarate, calcium pantothenate, lecithin, lemon bioflavonoids, papaya, bromelain, chlorophyll, pyridoxine HCl, riboflavin, thiamine HCl, vitamin B12, vitamin D, folic acid, biotin, potassium iodide, chromium chloride, sodium selenite, sodium molybdate

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:17 pm

Hi IDreamInColor.

I am sure one of the nutritionist on this board can comment far more knowledgeably than I can on this issue.

My one concern is the soy. For many of us, soy can cause as much of a reaction as wheat gluten. Other overall it looks quite healthy

I know for me soy is off my list

--Joe

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:09 pm

I try to stay away from soy also. I didn't see anything that caught my attention but I don't know what a lot of the ingredients are. I try to keep my ingredient lists short and simple. I understand, though, that you may need extra calories/nutrients. Sorry I'm not more help.

Good Luck,
Shirley

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:38 pm

The thing that popped out at me on the list is several items that have lots of fiber in it (i.e. oat bran). For me, the more fiber the more problem I have.

Jan

Post by **tex** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:02 pm

I agree with all the responses so far - about half of us can't tolerate soy, and the psyllium, oat bran, microcrystalline cellulose, and the FOS, add up to a lot of fiber. FOS can also make a bacterial imbalance much worse, by feeding the "bad" bacteria. The fructose is a negative, also, since some of us have a problem digesting fructose, when our MC is active. Still, there's about a 50-50 chance that it may not bother you.

That product has one thing going for it, (besides not containing any gluten), and that's the fact that it does not contain any casein, (milk protein), nor lactose, (milk sugar). Most drinks of that type, (including Ensure, Boost, and Encore, if my memory is correct), contain both dairy protein, and dairy sugar, and all but a few of us are sensitive to casein, and probably all of us are lactose intolerant, (when our MC is active).

Because of the fact that it doesn't contain any dairy derivatives, and the others do, I would surmise that you might be able to tolerate it better than the Ensure, but of course, that's contingent upon whether or not you're sensitive to soy. It contains a high percentage of soy, (as indicated by soy's position on the ingredient list).

Tex

ant · Post by **ant** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:15 am

I agree......but if soy happens to be a problem for you, so might guar gum (also a legume).

Best, Ant

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:31 am

If the oats aren't GF there'a a possibility of gluten contamination. If you are corn sensitive it contains maltodextrin and xanthan gum. FOS, like Tex, mentioned, could very well be problematic. And of course, soy is problematic for many of us.

Are you eating any meat or eggs? Meat and eggs would be better quality protein than rice, soy and pea protein offered in this drink, and superior to the spirulina they promote. Have you tried to concoct a drink that you could tolerate? Coconut milk for calories, a fruit you could tolerate, pasteurized powdered egg whites etc You could always take a multi to cover other nutrients and take a spirulina supplement if you want. My guess is you could make your own shakes better quality for less money, albeit a bit more work. I suppose I have a bias towards eating foods rather than supplements, but if you tolerate it and it works for you then I guess there would be no reason to avoid it.

Mary Beth

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:06 am

I would also be concerned about the pea protein. When I was trying to find a drink like this I avoided the ones with pea protein because I do react to peas and some other legumes. I have been able to find a few protein drinks ( not "complete" drinks, mind you) that are made with rice or hemp, that have no dairy , soy, pea or other weird stuff. The brand I use is called Organic Rice Protein made by Prairie naturals out of Coquitlam BC, Canada.

I have gained back two pounds in a couple of weeks using this as a supplement one or two times a day ( no more though because that would be too much daily protein.)
Linda

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:29 am

Not really much help on this but anything that has more than 5 ingredients and words I cannot pronounce or know what they are is not something I would put in my body. Just way too risky as far as I can see.

Maggie

Post by **tex** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:05 am

Maggie wrote:Not really much help on this but anything that has more than 5 ingredients and words I cannot pronounce or know what they are is not something I would put in my body. Just way too risky as far as I can see.

Maggie

That's a great rule of thumb to go by, and I tend to abide by it, whenever I have any questions about anything listed on a label.

Love,
Tex