Boost Boost Boost and a Map?

staceya

Hello All,
Boost
After having a diet of Boost/Ensure for the last 3 months practically 24/7, I am curious about how others feel..do you prefer Boost or Ensure..or something else? (I prefer Boost, but Costco only sold ensure..I tried Scandishakes, which were 600 cals and very yummy but too expensive) Where is the cheapest place to get Boost? We have costco, the marts (Wal and Kay) and walgreens here.

Map/Calendar
I LOVE our location thread! Does anyone know how to post a map on this site, with "pins" we could use for our location?
Also it would be SO cool to post a calendar, to cheer people along, like at a marathon.

Thanks ALL
Stacey

Kimba1505

Mix it up.
Hey Stacey,
I love the idea of the map and calendar...unfortunately I am one of the electronically challanged. I had to ask someone how to get a picture up for my posts. There must be someone computer savy on these boards.
As far as Ensure and Boost, I have both in the cupboard along with the grocery store's generic brand. Mark is at the point of not being able to taste anything, so calories are our biggest priority. Our nutritionist suggested mixing a Carnation Instant Breakfast in with the Ensure/Boost. It brings up the calories quite a bit without adding a big expense. Mark also likes (well when he could taste) mixing in sherbet and fresh fruit. I added in some Vitamin C and the L-glutamine. Even when he felt his worst during post chemo days, he could drink this blend.
The thing that haunts my mind is the milk proteins and sugars in these high cal/high protein drinks. Scam gets in my head and has me more aware of the bigger picture. At some point I am going to get almond milk and practice some of his other suggestions when things are mostly going into the PEG.
You sound good in your post...peppy.
Kim

Pumakitty

WalGreens
My dad said the vanilla from Walgreens is his favorite.

D Lewis

Generic Save Mart / Safeway Brands
I prefer the generic brand from the local supermarket. It's called TopCare. Prefer the coffee-mocha flavors, then chocolate, then vanilla. Prefer Boost to Ensure. Prefer those over Boost Plus and Ensure Plus. The Plus versions have more calories, but are thicker, and I find them harder to drink. Eventually, I just gave up, and switched to my most favorite; any flavor of Carnation Instant Breakfast in a very tall glass of milk, and scrambled eggs. I'm doing well right now on dairy products, so until I'm a bit more on my feet, I'm going to continue to use them. Organic versions of everything are available in my local stores, and my consumption is so small, it is still affordable.

Deb

Pam M

Map and Calendar
Stacey,

I sent a message to the site powers that be to ask if the map and calendar might be possible. If they like the idea, we won't have to do a thing - they'll set it up. If it's not do-able for CSN, I'd recommend we have a member or two "host" the calendar and map at another address, and post updates to Expressions, maybe (like a weekly "Upcoming Events" post or mass e-mail maybe, I dunno).

As far as nutrition drinks go, I'm one of the lucky ones and am on all-chew diet, even if I can't have all the things I want. I have heard rave reviews for the Carnation VHC (very high calorie), though. The only downside is, of course, the sugar content. Also, if there's anything you like but can't find locally, you could ask at Costco, Walgreens or other drug store if they could/would order it for you, and what their price would be if they could.

In the interest of avoiding sugar/corn syrup, I did peek into meal replacement mixes at a local health food store. Sounded great, but way beyond my financial means.

I also have been told that the WalMart version of Ensure is tasty - I never had it, because I had to use Enterex, a sugar free nutrition drink (this is pricey, and never goes on sale).

Good luck

handl1983

Boost
Hello!

My husband had a peg tube put in a couple of months ago-do you have one? The reason I ask is because since he got his, his pharmacy automatically delivers 9 cases of the stuff to our house every month at no charge. I dont know what kind of insurance you have, but this is what has happened with us. If you live near me, I would gladly share with you because there is no way he will drink all of this stuff!!! They send Boost Plus, which has 360 calories instead of the 240 that is available through most stores. Let me know!!

Lori

Dazey

Boost
I am 8 months post treatment (radiation only.)) I have the following every morning - 1 vanilla boost-plus;1 activia yogurt; 1 scoop EAS soy protein;1 banana;aloe water; crushed vitamin;crushed calcium-3;powder glutamine - put in my magic bullet blender and enjoy. Calorie total is about
740 - protein is 39- great start to the day and the flavor can be changed with changing the fruit
I am able to eat most foods now, but like the benefits of the shake in the morning. Dazey

Skiffin16

MAP
Stacey,

If CSN doesn't do anything, I'll start looking at what I can do with Google. They have a way of allowing you to use the drop pins for that very purpose and then you can share the map.

Best,
John

staceya

Skiffin16 said:

MAP
Stacey,

If CSN doesn't do anything, I'll start looking at what I can do with Google. They have a way of allowing you to use the drop pins for that very purpose and then you can share the map.

Best,
John

Thanks!
The calendar is going great. I wish I could link it to this site somehow.
The link is in my blog and on the thread- a calendar for you..

Thanks
Stacey

Skiffin16

staceya said:

Thanks!
The calendar is going great. I wish I could link it to this site somehow.
The link is in my blog and on the thread- a calendar for you..

Thanks
Stacey

MAP
I started the MAP in Google and posted a new thread. Here is the link though, if you read the post it'll explain more.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Tampa,+Hillsborough,+Florida&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108290908437938654290.0004899d469e1599afb49

John

micktissue

tube food
I am off the boost/ensure/peptamen tube food and am making my own for the past week. I'm still maintaining my weight and feel good.

I use Ultimate Meal (170 calories) and Hemp milk (130 calories per 1/3 cup - I usually use 2 cups) for the base and add avocado, fruit, or whatever will blend and make up the calories. Generally I use almond butter or avocado for fats, and have also used flax seed or flax cereal, grapes, strawberry (picked fresh for my garden). Hemp milk contains no THC (guaranteed). All this stuff is a lot more expensive than boost/ensure/peptamen BUT have you looked at the ingredients in them? No thanks!

I'm lucky because I can afford to buy real food to blend, so I don't want to come off as elitist. I wish regular food could be made blended for tube feeding and as cheaply as the boost/ensure/peptamen but there's just not the same demand for it, which is sad.

Best,

Mick

micktissue

Skiffin16 said:

MAP
I started the MAP in Google and posted a new thread. Here is the link though, if you read the post it'll explain more.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Tampa,+Hillsborough,+Florida&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108290908437938654290.0004899d469e1599afb49

John

THE MAP IS FRIGGIN' AWESOME
Hey John, that is cool!

Best,

Mick

Skiffin16

micktissue said:

THE MAP IS FRIGGIN' AWESOME
Hey John, that is cool!

Best,

Mick

MAP
Thanks Mick,

I wanted to make sure that I added you as one of the first. There isn't an easy way to make the list alphabetical just yet. But I think once it's near full, I can do it in a separate application and repost it.

In the meantime, just send a shortcut to your Desktop and check it out occasionally. I started adding people earlier, but left my list of everyone at work this morning.

Best,
John

Greg53

micktissue said:

tube food
I am off the boost/ensure/peptamen tube food and am making my own for the past week. I'm still maintaining my weight and feel good.

I use Ultimate Meal (170 calories) and Hemp milk (130 calories per 1/3 cup - I usually use 2 cups) for the base and add avocado, fruit, or whatever will blend and make up the calories. Generally I use almond butter or avocado for fats, and have also used flax seed or flax cereal, grapes, strawberry (picked fresh for my garden). Hemp milk contains no THC (guaranteed). All this stuff is a lot more expensive than boost/ensure/peptamen BUT have you looked at the ingredients in them? No thanks!

I'm lucky because I can afford to buy real food to blend, so I don't want to come off as elitist. I wish regular food could be made blended for tube feeding and as cheaply as the boost/ensure/peptamen but there's just not the same demand for it, which is sad.

Best,

Mick

Cool Map!
Agree with Mick, good job on the map John!

Mick, I'm with you on the crap that's in the boost, ensure, etc. I've been mixing my own like you for the last week or so. Problem is I'm back at work now don't have time or place to mix it at work, so I'm stuck with carnation at work. Carnation is 560 calories is the only reason I use it, that way I only have to do a couple of those at work and still get the rest at home. I'm getting anywhere from 2400 - 2800 calories a day to put some weight back on. Been gaining about 1/2# per week so I guess it's working. Still looking for an alternate that is FAST and convenient for work that is healthy.

Greg

micktissue

Greg53 said:

Cool Map!
Agree with Mick, good job on the map John!

Mick, I'm with you on the crap that's in the boost, ensure, etc. I've been mixing my own like you for the last week or so. Problem is I'm back at work now don't have time or place to mix it at work, so I'm stuck with carnation at work. Carnation is 560 calories is the only reason I use it, that way I only have to do a couple of those at work and still get the rest at home. I'm getting anywhere from 2400 - 2800 calories a day to put some weight back on. Been gaining about 1/2# per week so I guess it's working. Still looking for an alternate that is FAST and convenient for work that is healthy.

Greg

Greg
Ya I'm not working yet, and am learning form your experience. Hopefully I'll be able to eat before I start working, but if not I'll think about premixing my own for that lunchtime meal.

Best,

Mick

Scambuster

micktissue said:

Greg
Ya I'm not working yet, and am learning form your experience. Hopefully I'll be able to eat before I start working, but if not I'll think about premixing my own for that lunchtime meal.

Best,

Mick

NU PLUS
Guys, The Sunrider people do a nutrition shake called NU PLUS which is lower on Calories but has loads of nutrients and is very easy to drink with Soy or Rice milk or juice. I think it's more designed for dieters wanting to lose weight, so they get the good grits but low calory count. The Vitashake I use is a little thicker to take as a drink so I pour it on cereal, though I suppose if it's mixed with 400-500ml of the liquid you prefer, it would be also an easy drink to take. All plant based, all good. It has 200 cals + the liquid you use. I stash a few NU-PLUS sachets at work in case I feel I am light on food during the day.

Scam