Question:
I was told by a friend of mine last night that I should not be drinking

juices that often because the calories are a waste!! I like to drink either OJ or grape juice (about 1 cup)in the morning to take my vitamins. She said I could be eating some type of food that would stay in the pouch longer. The juice does not replace my breakfast and I feel like I am getting some type of benifit from the juice. Please let me know your thoughts on drinking juice. Thanks    — Tammy D. (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 10, 2002
I'm with you, I drink around 4-6 oz of OJ every morning with my vitamins and pills. I then eat something around 1/2 hr. later, and never have a problem. As long as I stick to 4 or 6 ozs I'm fine, because of the high sugar content. When I listened to someone recently and tried just drinking water with the pills, then eating a 1/2 hr. later as I always do, I had terrible stomach cramps both times I did it. I don't know for sure what connection there may be, if any, but apparently the juice works for me. And, I do think we're getting the benefit of the vitamins in the juice. I think if you're fine with it and not getting sick, then there shouldn't be anything wrong with it. Hope this helps, good luck!
   — Kathy P.

April 10, 2002
I drink fruit juices everyday. OJ is very good to help iron get in your system. My dr. want a very diverse diet. He says it encourages correct eating habits and aids in not wanting to "cheat." I have had no problem and actually feel better. If you need protein you can mix OJ with vanilla protein powder, ice, belnd and have a great orange julius. (6 weeks post-op, -45lbs)
   — Oldsoul

April 10, 2002
I was told to drink 100% pure juice by my surgeon, to reap the benefits of the juices...So I take at least one serving a day.
   — Elizabeth D.

April 10, 2002
What your friend said makes a lot of sense, actually. If the object is to use your "tool" from the surgery, then you should be filling your pouch with protein-dense foods that make you feel full, not calorie-ful liquids. Yes, juice has some nutritional value (vitamin C mostly), but nothing that you couldn't easily get from a calorie-free vitamin.
   — Terissa R.

April 10, 2002
Here's a different opinion (which I'm sure is NOT a surprise! LOL): my surgeon and nutritionist are very much against any calorie-containing beverages. Now more than ever they are "empty calories". To maximize the weight loss, drink beverages with no calories or very little, at least 64 oz., exercise and don't eat more than 2 oz. at a time. Think texture: EAT an orange instead of drinking it; you'll give your pouch something to hang on to longer and the same vitamins as well. Good luck to you!!
   — LaRayne H.

April 10, 2002
Well, I went to the same dietician as the previous poster and can't really argue about the caolorie-containing beverages. I personally don't think a small amount of juice, no more than 1/2 cup is really going to make a big difference. However, stick with juices that have some nutritional value, like orange or grapefruit juice or even tomato juice. All of those have some vitamin C and most oj these days has calcium added. Apple juice and grape juice have very little nuritional value. They are basically sugar water even if the sugar does come in the form of fructose rather than sucrose.
   — garw

April 12, 2002
I have been drinkig OJ and V8 juice since I was 2months out. They are both rich in potassium and important vitamins we need on a daily basis. I am 4 months out and lost 70lbs so far. I don't drink sodas not even diet ones. No desserts period! Don't get so extreme like some people get. Drinking juices is healthly for your body!! Drink it in moderation though. No more than 6 oz. Happy Losing!!!
   — Laura G.

April 12, 2002
I don't do fruit juices, either, though I love them. I would rather do the whole fruit (or part of a whole fruit). I will not do those high sugar levels. As for liquids vs solids? I'd never thought of that. I do my 4-6 protein shakes a day, water and then my tiny meals. They're separate compartments in my head. I just don't ever do a heavily sugared item, liquid or solid. OJ has about 22g of sugar in an 8 oz glass, and I limit myself to 6g or so. I could probably tolerate more, but I also know by now that "tolerating" and staying at my goal wt are often not the same thing at all.
   — vitalady