Healthy Food/Drink Solutions, Please.

@AmbiePam (84632)
United States
October 8, 2009 3:57pm CST
I'm going to have my 6th back procedure in 7 months in about 2 weeks. This will be my second 'official' back surgery, although it isn't one where they cut you open all the way and stuff like that. This is kind of to prevent having to cut me completely open. So the last time I had this particular surgery, I didn't expect the agony. I've had pain, but this was agony. I was down for about two weeks, while my parents took care of my dog at their house. It was another two weeks where I could walk without pain. My issue is this. When I can't do any exercise (and I am not allowed to at all. Walking is even limited.), of course keeping weight off is going to be hard. At the same time, cooking is going to be a challenge. Does anyone know of any fruit or vegetable drinks that are healthy? Not V-8. I'm not into the tomato thing. I see they have V-8 Fusions, but when I tried the light version it was gross. The non light version had a lot of sugar. But if there is no added sugar, is that okay then? I'm not diabetic, so I don't have a blood sugar problem...I just want to get my fruit and veggie intake so I can keep myself as health as possible. Any solutions?
7 people like this
13 responses
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
10 Oct 09
My suggestion is to buy a juicer and juice fresh fruits and veggies every day. As long as you add an apple (even with the juiced veggies), you really don't need to add any kind of sweetener to the juice. I always save the scraps from the fruits and veggies to add to soup stock as well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
10 Oct 09
Thank you. I don't know if I can afford a juicer. Maybe I ought to look at stores like Big Lots. Perhaps they are cheaper than Walmart.
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@sacmom (14192)
• United States
14 Oct 09
The problem with the cheap ones is that they tend to bog down and break. But if you don't plan on using it for that long (maybe a couple of months at the most), then it might be the perfect thing for you. Jack LaLanne has some good juicers and they even accept payments. The bad part is, I don't know how long it would take for it to arrive. You might want to check out their site anyway...just in case. Here's the link: http://www.powerjuicer.com/power-juicer-chart.html I noticed the more pricey models have an easier payment plan. So, don't let the prices discourage you. I hope this helps!
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@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
9 Oct 09
I feel bad for you having to go through so much surgery and pain. That's got to be very hard to deal with, and I wish you a speedy recovery. If you have a blender, you can make some healthy fruit smoothies, and use fresh or frozen fruit and milk, or yogurt. You can make them without sugar. I used to make a drink with bananas, ice cubes, and almonds with a little nutmeg in it. It was really fresh and light tasting, yet filling, and I would just dump it all in the blender and grind it up. I don't remember the exact amounts of everything, but I think you could just take a guess and come up with something that tastes pretty good. Also, there is drinkable yogurt that is not bad, in fact, I love it for a quick and filling healthy snack.
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@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
9 Oct 09
Thank you. That sounds SO good. I don't have a blender, but I think my mom may have one she'd let me borrow.
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
9 Oct 09
I found the recipe in my old computer files. It's 12 almonds, freshly blanched (but I just used any almonds I could find), 1 small banana, 3/4 cup water, 4 ice cubes, dash of vanilla and nutmeg. Combine and liquefy in blender. I found this years ago, and it's from a place called Rancho La Puerta. They now have a web site where you can find other healthy and easy recipes; http://www.rancholapuerta.com/cuisine/recipes.html
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@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
9 Oct 09
That Fusion v8 is fruit and veggies and thinking that it is from the fruits more than sugar as the Doctor said it was real good for us to drink so I took it from there my grand dauhter drinks it all the time!
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
9 Oct 09
your welcome
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@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
9 Oct 09
It makes me feel better than a doctor recommended it. Thanks!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Oct 09
Isn't it amazing how something that is supposed to help a health problem, like your former back surgery only created more pain...like sheesh As for juices...I did an article about High Fructose Corn Syrup at Associated Content and all the harmful effects and health issues it can create..it's worse than pure sugar...this crap is in just about everything including most fruit juices--I had to give up a lot of my favorites. If you look at any fruit juice blend, such as Tropicana, Welsh's, etc. while the fruit blends sound great, they all have HFCS--The purest one is Welsh's one hundred percent Grape Juice..NO HFCS---also Cranberry Juice is good, but even the Ocean Spray brand has HFCS--the Northland brand doesn't--just look at the juices available is all I can say....pick any that doesn't have the HFCS in it Of course another great alternative is to have a juicer...I've been dying to get one but they are expensive...that way you could make your own concoction of veg/fruit blends. I have a blender but never attempted to make a juice that way
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
10 Oct 09
I've tried to stick with Simply Orange, or Simply Grapefruit when it comes to juices. My sister told me her doctor reommended them as the "purest" form of getting real juice secondary to making one's own. Unfortunately, I found out I can't have grapefruit anything because of a medication I'm on. I was like, what?! My restriction is grapefruit? With my back, all seven of these things have been to prevent what is inevitable. I'm going to have to have the 'cut you open, insert rod' back surgery someday. Before I was on disability I went to the chiropractor and paid out of pocket for it, trying to get help. But the relief was minor, and it never lasted. But every surgeon and pain management person keeps telling me I'm so young, and if I had the complete back surgery now, I'd have to have another one in 7 years, and then another in 5 to 7 years...they said the surgeries for my type of problem just escalate. So they do what they are doing now, trying to treat the symptoms, without actually fixing the complete problem. They told me I'll have to have surgery on my neck too, but no way. They aren't touching my neck. They can try to convince me all they want, but my neck will not be opened by any surgeon.
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
10 Oct 09
By the way, have you seen those commercials about how high fructose corn syrup is okay in moderation? Boy are they spreading some bull!
• Australia
28 Oct 09
V8 has varieties that aren't tomatoe juice based. There is even an apple, carrot and ginger one, which is pretty yummy. There is always soup, and after surgery, that's pretty much all you will be upto having for a few days any way. Lots of wonderful brands and varieties out there too.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
30 Oct 09
Thanks. My surgery was about 2 weeks ago though.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Oct 09
For things like that, the only thing I can think to suggest is to make your own before you go in for the surgery. I drink Slimfast, but it's a meal replacement / weight loss, and all you want to do is ensure you don't gain any... so make your own...
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Hey, you gave me a solution to breakfast. I'll do the Slimfast thing for my morning meal.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Lol, okay. I was going to suggest it, but like I said I think it's more for losing weight, and I know all you want to do is keep it off... though I'm sure it'd do the same thing. I like the slim fast. I can recommend Strawberries and Cream Optima Shakes (the oens that don't make you hungry for four hours) and also the Cappucino Delight I think it's called.. YUM!
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@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
9 Oct 09
Have you thought of those soups already in a cup you just microwave? If you not diabetic then it shouldn't hurt to drink some that isn't diet. Most diet drinks I can't handle. I love Lipton green tea with citrus..but when I went on my diet I bought the diet and I didn't like it. My mom ended up with it. After having the surgery you might need the sugar boost that the drink gives you. They have those adult drinks like Pedia-sure and Insure..but for adults. Well, I wish you the best and hope things go okay and that you have a fast recovery and way less pain.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
14 Oct 09
The only thing that I can think of is juicing. Though it can take a lot of preparation and cleaning up. If someone would be willing to help you do this it would be the best thing for you as it is fresh fruits and veggies that are being juiced. It's way healthier than those canned versions, like V8, and don't taste anywhere as gross. Happy mylotting!
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@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Oct 09
hi ambiepam wow that is a lot of surgeries for sure. I can see cooking is going to be a real challenge. Could you eat a lot of salads with some protein like lo fat cheese and lean meat added, will there be anyone to help you cook for yourself? V8 would have been my suggestion but do try the 'fruit version as I have used them and they were great. I' think there are some other brands of fruit drinks that are also healthy tomato juice by a reliable company is good, also real orange juice, and some of the fruit nectars are specially good.Eat whole fruit too, it has fiber and vitamins and the juice too, like oranges,bananas,pears, apples, better actually than the juices. no prep necessary really. also tomatoes can be eaten raw.oh remembered Scrapple fruit and veggie drinks are supposed to be good.
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@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
8 Oct 09
The supermarkets don't have good produce, which is why I don't often buy actual fruit. Seriously, it's pathetic. I'm still confused about the juices though. Are they okay as long as they don't add any sugar? What exactly is fruit concentrate, and how much is bad? Ugh...I love tomatoes. I bought some a couple of months ago, they were grape tomatoes. I opened them up in the store, but when I got home they had mold in the middle of the package. I have found BoltHouse smoothies. To my knowledge they are just fruit, nothing artificial added. They don't taste like an actual smoothie, just fruit. No, I won't have anyone helping me cook, but you did remind me of pre-cooked crab I saw at the supermarket last time. Of course it is mainly imitation crab, but it has no fat, no cholesterol, and it is really high in Omega 3s.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Hi Ambie, sO SORRY TO HEAR U ARE HAVING TO HAVE SURGERY. i CERTAINLY HOPE IT'S SUCESSFUL. i AM NOT A JUICE DRINKER SO I CAN'T HELP U OUT THERE BUT JUST WANTED TO SEND U MY WELL WISHES.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Thank you, you're so sweet.
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Hi Ambie! Hope your next surgery is not as painful as the last...and will this be your last surgery? It will be good to get it behind you. While you're recovering, you need to eat more that fruits and vegetables to stay healthy. I know that for a day or so after surgery you may not feel like much solid food. Yogurt smoothies are great. I'm not sure how pre-made would freeze, but you could certainly blend the fruits and freeze in portion size, then stir into yogurt to eat. You also need your amino acids, which you get from meat, poultry, fish or from selecting the correct legumes and vegetables. You can prepare low calorie meals in advance, then just reheat while you're recovering. Black beans, rice and chicken is healthy and freezes well.
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@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
9 Oct 09
I am so distressed to her of this agony that you have had to go through and now more surgery? May God protect you and keep His angels close to you throughout the surgery and th convalescence. May He give you the courage to get through this knowing and always believing that you belong to Him. I do not know of anything but I am sure that others will assist you. I will be praying for you so much. May our God bless you and keep you safe and help you to get well quickly.
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@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
10 Oct 09
Thank you for the prayers, Cynthiann. I appreciate them so much.
• India
9 Oct 09
hi ambiepam, i tink u need to drink orange juice which helps u to increase your blood and it gives strength too....drink apple juice also k..and take iron content juices lik sugarcane juice which helps u to increase your haemoglobin and it also gives u strength kk take care bye..hope u consider ma solution....
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