Question:
Can I have Ketcup at 6 weeks out?

I am six weeks out and I've been tolerated my foods well. I've learned what works and what doesn't so far. Now I want to slowly branch out and want to know, as an "OCCASIONAL" condiment, can I have Ketcup? I have a brand of Ketcup at home and this is the nutriental information: Brand: Country Best Calories (1 tbsp) 15 Total Fat: 0g Sodium: 190 (thats why I say occasional I watch my sodium and have managed well keeping my totals under my allowance) Total Carbs: 4g I would like to make homemade pizza for myself and son,(mines would just contain: 1 oz of part skim mozzarella, 1 sourdough english muffin (for my crust) and I wanted to use the ketcup instead of tomato sauce/paste or pizza sauce. This is an occassional treat factoring it in with my daily requirements which include getting all my protien in first and 64-70ozs of water. Would like some feedback from those who have tried ketcup.    — Gwen M. (posted on December 11, 2001)

December 11, 2001
Gwen, why ketchup instead of spaghetti sauce? Most spag sauce has higher protein and lower sugar than ketchup. That said, sure, I bet it's fine for you to have some ketchup on some food now that you've been cleared for solids. It's nice to add some zing to foods after boring old purees.
   — Julia M.

December 11, 2001
I would use pizza sauce, buy a big container and freeze bags of it for easy one serving sizes. I LIKE ketchup more as a post op, it adds so much flavor. Used as a condiment I think its fine, anything in moderation is my motto.
   — bob-haller

December 11, 2001
I love shrimp and cocktail sauce, but everytime I ate the cocktail sauce it seemed to make me have a plateau. I believe it was the sugar in the sauce, I have since found a Shrimp scampi with no sugar and I haven't had a problem, so I say watch the sugar it may slow your loss.
   — acluff

December 11, 2001
Thanks all for you input. I will go compare the brands of pizza sauces and tomatoe sauces to that brand of ketcup. Im not sure they can beat that 4 carbs per serving and I am certain they are higher in sodium and if you get the low sodium, BAM they up the carbs, I will look at the marinara sauces, I dont want vegs or meat in my sauce.
   — Gwen M.

December 11, 2001
Remember carbs per serving refers to a serving SIZE too! I dont know but believe the serving size of a dolop of ketchup is preety small. So you have to consider a normal serving size.
   — bob-haller

December 12, 2001
Thats what I was thinking Bob, it's all in the serving size and if I am just smearing it on thinly thats another factor to consider. Hmmm there is always something to think about huh? ;0)
   — Gwen M.