Crystal Light vs. water Which do you prefer?

I read somewhere that we can drink Crystal Light... is that so or are we only allowed to drink millk and water?

True, you can have calorie free drinks! Crystal light, Wyler's, Wal Mart's version of Crystal light is really good too, they have a bigger variety of flavors! Also, in cans they have minute maid and tropicana both that are carbonation and sugar free! Hope these ideas help! Good luck! Hugz Dawn

Personally, I can't stand that Crytal Lite stuff. Good luck to you all. Liz (former Hoosier) Liz

Crystal Light is great. I like water but got tired of just drinking it plain. Adding flavors to your water helps to get the intake up because you feel like you are getting something extra....a little flavor.

Sugar-free Carbonation-free (for a minimum of 6 months) caffine-free Alcohol-free If you have those 4, any drink is fine. Skim milk is great for protein, but it's not lo-cal so it doesn't count toward your fluid/water intake. All those mentioned already does...as does decaf coffee/tea, splash diet juices & sf popcycles. There seems to be more & more products available for us every time I check out what is new on the grocery shelves! Sherri

I remember being told milk does count to your fluid intake. I think that was at the pre-op class. Maybe they've changed that? Linda Vicory

Linda, Maybe they've changed it since I had mine..but remember that milk does have calories...so I'm not sure I'd count it toward my water. It up to you...but the extra in water would only assist in weight loss anyway. At my nut class, we were told 'calorie-free or very lo-cal, decaf, no carbonation, and no alcohol' for it to count as liquid. When you're early out, you are struggling to get in your protein AND water so any that you get in is a huge plus, regardless of how you count it. As you get further out, you should be able to drink more...and therefore able to get in more liquids. On a typical day, I drink 24 oz decaf coffee, 2 protein drinks, 1 can of sf minute maid or diet decaf pop, and ~96 oz of water (although alot of days, this is closer to 128oz). I count that as 132 oz fluid (I don't count the protein drinks). If the protein drinks are AchievOne, they are 9.5 oz each, 19 oz total. Because of the caffiene in the AchievOne, I need to drink twice that in water in addition to my 64 oz...so 38 oz extra for a total of 102 oz. I never have any problem getting that much in. I know someone will ask, so... Caffiene is a stimulant, and it also dehydrates you. For every one ounce of caffiene you drink, your body needs 2 ouces of additional water to counter it's effects. I am always trying to find non-caffinated protein drinks but so far, I am a huge fan of the AchievOne Mocha Java! Sherri

I looked at my pre-op books and milk does count as fluid intake. I have some new favorite things. Aveda tea. It peppermint and has some licorice flavor in it. I never like tea before surgery now I drink it all the time. You can get it at any aveda store or spa. Next favorite is suger free spiced cider, I love it 5 calories but worth every one. I seem to be drinking lots of hot stuff as I'm cold all the time. My new thing and I don't drink it often just when I need a change so don't flame me is sprite zero, mixed with light cran grape juice. sprite zero seems to have less carbonation or the juice lessons it as I really can't drink other carbonated stuff. Remember I'm a year out so if your less than 6 months I wouldn't try the carbonation. Sarah

Well, I find that anything with Aspertame/chemicals gives me problems, so I avoid Crystal Light and other stuff like it. Also fruit juices have too much natural sugar for me-- just My experiance.Before surgery I had no problem with them- must be my lil tummy is finicky! I drink mostly,water,decaf tea and coffee.Love my decaf- and get alittle reg. once in awhile. I find it does make me super thirsty. Must be what Sherri said! I count my soy milk as protien, not towards my fluid intake. I even am lactose intolerant now. I use Designers Whey or Body Fortress protien for my shakes. I don't do diet sodas since my tummy doesn't like carbonation- oh the GAS! Good luck- you won't know till you try. Just don't get carried away buying stuff you can use.(Voice of experience here ) (((hugs))) Ellen

I bought a bunch of Crystal Light before surgery and can't stand the stuff now. It just tastes funny now. So just be warned not to "stock up" on any one thing. Sam