Question:
Zero Calorie Drinks..

Hi Gang. Part of my doctor's protocol is zero calorie drinks, with the exception of skim milk, and an occassional OJ (4 oz). I have no problem with this rule, but for some reason, I have been CRAVING anything with tomatos. Anyway, besides sticking tomatoe salsa, paste, etc on everything....I have enjoyed a V8 every once in awhile. Should this be counted as part of a meal? Or is an occassional V8 okay to have? To date of haven't counted them as anything. but am concerned that they are definately not Zero calories. What are your opinions/experience on this?    — Kim M. (posted on November 1, 2001)

November 1, 2001
Kim, tomatoes!!!!???? Awesome! Since my bypass I would kill for tomatoes. I absolutely CAN NOT get enough of them. You will probally get many different answers, but my guess would be to count the juice (with caleries) as part of your food caleries as your body says "caleries are caleries whether you eat or drink them". Myself I hate drinking tomatoes, but caleries are caleries and if you drink them and don't watch them you could be in trouble! Count them!
   — Danmark

November 1, 2001
I too crave tomatoes! Isn't that strange. I think that the previous poster is right calories are calories no matter what form they are in.
   — [Anonymous]

November 1, 2001
I would put v-8 in the same "category" as soup and count it the same way. Shelley
   — Shelley.

November 2, 2001
How far along post op are you? I am 4 1/2 months and I use tomatoes regularly in salsa's and sauces to moisten my fish and seafood. I use roasted tomatoes to stew chicken thighs until the meat is very soft... adding either Italian or Mexican seasonings. I have had no difficulty with tomatoes whatsoever. My surgeon says no tomatoes for the first few weeks but after that no problem.
   — SusanMaria

November 2, 2001
Hi, I drink V-8 almost everyday, and I count the calories in it. It's weird, but I crave that V-8 like no tommorow. The only ones that I drink that are calorie free, are of course water, sugar free kool-aid, Crystal Light and sugar free Tang.
   — Carey N.

November 2, 2001
Hello All, Thanks for all your posts..you are so helpful. I had my 4wk post op visit today, and the doc advised me that he thought tomatoe/v8 juice was good, although not to have it as a daily consumption. I don't count calories, I do ounces, (4oz meals) and he had no problem with me using an occassional V8 as a treat, just suggested low sodium.
   — Kim M.