Question:
Ideas Needed for Increasing Fluid Intake Post Op

I have been drinking water, propel, crystal light, V8, milk, and decaf coffee occasionally. I am getting bored with these few things. The thought of water just sounds boring and blah. Anyone have anymore ideas?    — Kim N. (posted on March 16, 2003)

March 16, 2003
Dasani bottled water tastes very good. Better than tap water. Soups are liquid, Try more soups. I seem to enjoy ramen soups -- mostly because they are quick and easy to make and tasty.
   — Darlene P.

March 16, 2003
It seems that to most of us post-op, tap water is boring and blah...it just doesn't taste right to me in fact. Bottled water, no ice is my mainstay. I also have a cup or 2 of peppermint tea each day. Occasionally a cup of NSA hot cocoa. But I personally try to stay away from all the flavored waters, Crystal Light etc. Seems to bother my tummy and not really quench the thirst so much. A couple times a month I will have a decaf latte with Splenda or sugar free syrup. Even decaf coffee depletes your hydration, or simply just doesn't hydrate as well as good old water does. Try your water in different ways -- with or without ice, slightly chilled or room temperature, with a slice of lemon. I do admit to having 1 large glass of Sugar Free Tang each morning. Had to do that to take away my morning orange juice fix and the extra calories that went with it. Plus, the Tang is what I mix my Benefiber in. After that Tang, I stick to my bottled water all day. I know, I offered you no suggestions LOL Sorry! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -117lbs.
   — Anna L.

March 16, 2003
How about getting a sno cone machine and adding SF syrups to them? You also didn't mention SF Popsicles, which are just frozen liquids. Also, I use Lipton Noodle Soup Mix(not the Chicken Noodle which has pieces of chicken in it, the Noodle only just has chicken broth not chicken). It will make you about 1.5 full cups of good broth that tates like something and you can doctor it up if you want. And V8 brand makes a Diet(low cal, low sugar) Blends that are fruit flavored. It has more 'body' than crystal lite so it might be good for a change. The last thing I can think of is that Coke makes a Diet Minute Maid Lemonade that is in a can...you can find it in the soft drink section and it has no carbonation. I find it to be tart, but it helps reset my taste buds occasionally. Good luck, hope this helps!
   — Susan F.

March 16, 2003
Sources of liquid: Water, Crystal light - esp.raspberry ice, Isopure (see above), Propel, Minute Maid diet lemonade in cans, Diet Snapple - Cran-Rasp, Sobe Lean - Cran Grapefruit, Swiss Miss Diet Hot Choc, Alpine SF Spiced Cider Mix, I also still like SF popsicles and soups
   — jen41766

March 16, 2003
Oops - realized the (see above) wouldn't be helpful... Zero-Carb Isopure in bottles, comes in 6 flavors with 40 g of protein per bottle. I split it in half and dilute it with water making it into 2 drinks. Similar to Gatorade.
   — jen41766

March 16, 2003
Oops - realized the (see above) wouldn't be helpful... Zero-Carb Isopure in bottles, comes in 6 flavors with 40 g of protein per bottle. I split it in half and dilute it with water making it into 2 drinks. Similar to Gatorade.
   — jen41766

March 16, 2003
The one thing that really helped me was Swiss Miss Hot Choc. Sugar free I had a hard time during my surgery recovery adn that really helped me get my fluids in. You get a few calories but not that many. And makes me not crave sweets also.
   — Julann A.

March 16, 2003
Popsicles SF, Hot herbal teas with splenda, and watermelon. Watermelon goes down really easy and actually helps up your fluid intake. Protein Shake Smoothies.
   — Linda A.

March 16, 2003
crushed ise over grape juice....allow the ice to melt a bit and it cuts the suger. taste great!! watermelon is a treat too but somedays it does not go down well... i have learned it is all trial and error and somedays are better then others. keep up the good work and best of luck!
   — nan K.

March 16, 2003
I add slices of lemon or orange to my water too. Try Sf popsicles and herbal teas too. I have an ice shaver adn I put just a little bit of no sugar added juice or gatoraid in it. I'll be the sf syrups would be good too.
   — Leah H.

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