Sugar Free/fake sweeteners drinks

[kristieshannon 1,544]

On 02/15/2021 at 10:03, catwoman7 said:

I like those, too. Plus they're cheap compared to other flavored waters..

Yes! They sell brand name Vitamin Water in my hospital cafeteria for $2.50/bottle. The costco brand is .40 per bottle!

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

Just now, kristieshannon said:

Yes! They sell brand name Vitamin Water in my hospital cafeteria for $2.50/bottle. The costco brand is .40 per bottle!

This is probably one of the only types I have not tried yet. I will have to try it.

[kristieshannon 1,544]

On 02/15/2021 at 11:56, Creekimp13 said:

"I was told that we can NEVER have soda again in our lifetime! My surgeons staff drilled it into my head a million times because I was addicted to diet coke." Yep, me too.

This is absolutely correct and I'm not advising anyone to go against good advice.

However, I also believe in being real and honest. I risk it. So far have had no ill effects. I have good restriction, and have not had an issue with one can of diet soda a day. I think if one can of soda turned into several you could run into issues.

Not recommending you do this. Just saying...it hasn't caused me any issues in three years. Not an endorsement...just an admission.

My program recommended against soda. However, I’ve been able to tolerate sips here and there of my husband’s Coke Zero.

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

1 minute ago, kristieshannon said:

My program recommended against soda. However, I’ve been able to tolerate sips here and there of my husband’s Coke Zero.

I want to taste diet coke just so I can see if I even still like it. I am afraid if I do then I will want it all the time.

[Guest]

My program allows "small amounts" of sugar-free carbonated drinks after week 4. I was a major Pepsi Max addict, so I've kind of made it a point not to.

I'd think the sleevers have it worse than us bypassers. Unless we gulp it down, or drink it while food is passing through to the small intestine, sure, stretching can occur. But otherwise, again unless you drink fast, it should not. We don't exactly have anything to keep it from running right through us (if we do, something is wrong).

Now have I not had any carbonated drinks at all? I sure have. Exactly half a can of no-sugar lemon soda to spice up a little rum. And that's a whoooole other discussion (Also allowed, for those that are clutching pearls right now).

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

2 minutes ago, OAGBPal said:

My program allows "small amounts" of sugar-free carbonated drinks after week 4. I was a major Pepsi Max addict, so I've kind of made it a point not to.

I'd think the sleevers have it worse than us bypassers. Unless we gulp it down, or drink it while food is passing through to the small intestine, sure, stretching can occur. But otherwise, again unless you drink fast, it should not. We don't exactly have anything to keep it from running right through us (if we do, something is wrong).

Now have I not had any carbonated drinks at all? I sure have. Exactly half a can of no-sugar lemon soda to spice up a little rum. And that's a whoooole other discussion (Also allowed, for those that are clutching pearls right now).

The only thing that used to help my belly aches before surgery was drinking ginger ale. Now I found that Altoids helps. I would love to try a sip of ginger ale too.

[Guest]

Just now, HealthyLifeStyle said:

The only thing that used to help my belly aches before surgery was drinking ginger ale. Now I found that Altoids helps. I would love to try a sip of ginger ale too.

I mean, the official answer is "but no". I'll tell you a different story instead, take from it what you will:

I spent 30 years being told what I couldn't eat. By parents. Teachers. Eventually, myself. Oh man. That obviously spiralled right into binge eating disorder.

How did I get over that? Being my own adult and going to group therapy. Suddenly, I didn't need 3 pizzas to quell that voice of a hungry inside being denied food. But I did want 1 here and there. Not every day. Just like, once a week. All of a sudden, the binge eating was gone. I was happy. I wasn't hungry half the time, over-stuffed the other half.

I believe in this mindset even more than I do separating my stomach and stapling it to my small intestine 8 feet down the path. And there's literally nothing I won't be having again at some point. I believe restriction leads to binges for some people, and I'm one of them.

So that's why I'm also the voice of moderation and flexible control. I'm sure others need to live in absolutes a lot more than me, and that's very okay, as well.

[mae7365 372]

4 hours ago, Changingmylife2020 said:

Propel Water is pretty good. Lots of flavors and no after taste.

I drink lots of Propel - when I'm not drinking Smart Water. I occasionally drink Diet Coke, but not like I did before surgery. I also look forward to my two cups of coffee each morning with sugar-free French vanilla creamer!

[billho 243]

It's funny- I used to drink Propel every day before surgery, but now don't care for it. Same for Powerade Zero. They just don't appeal to me like they used to. I do, however, drink Gatorade Zero all day long. Usually, have two or three bottles a day (the small ones). Not really a fan of plain Water, but I'll drink it if no G-0 is available.

I'll have Diet Coke a few times a week, but it doesn't have the same appeal that it used to. Plus, my doctor told me to avoid it.

Edited February 15, 2021 by billho

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

1 hour ago, mae7365 said:

I drink lots of Propel - when I'm not drinking Smart Water. I occasionally drink Diet Coke, but not like I did before surgery. I also look forward to my two cups of coffee each morning with sugar-free French vanilla creamer!

I never liked Propel even before the surgery. That is hubby's fav drink. I just tried it again recently as tastes buds change after surgery, and I still don't like it.

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

1 hour ago, billho said:

It's funny- I used to drink Propel every day before surgery, but now don't care for it. Same for Powerade Zero. They just don't appeal to me like they used to. I do, however, drink Gatorade Zero all day long. Usually, have two or three bottles a day (the small ones). Not really a fan of plain Water, but I'll drink it if no G-0 is available.

I'll have Diet Coke a few times a week, but it doesn't have the same appeal that it used to. Plus, my doctor told me to avoid it.

I am surprised to hear a few people saying they drink soda after this surgery. I was told NEVER!! I am too scared to even try it.

[Guest]

Just now, HealthyLifeStyle said:

I am surprised to hear a few people saying they drink soda after this surgery. I was told NEVER!! I am too scared to even try it.

Do you feel like it's unfair they can and you can't?

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

2 minutes ago, OAGBPal said:

Do you feel like it's unfair they can and you can't?

No, not unfair. If I really wanted to try, I would. I guess I am just to leery of it because of what the classes told us.

[billho 243]

to clarify, pre-surgery, I'd drink diet coke all day. Now, the few times I do, I only have a few sips at a time and usually let it go flat and take a long time with one can. I can't drink it like Water or Gatorade Zero, as the carbonation makes it uncomfortable.

[BigSue 1,320]

Before my surgery, I hated drinking plain Water. I drank a ton of diet soda and flavored seltzer (Polar, La Croix, Bubly, etc.). When I drank water, I had to add Mio to it. Weirdly, after surgery, I started to like plain water. I still occasionally add Mio, but most of the time, I just drink plain water. I was also told not to drink carbonated beverages, and I've seen some bariatric patients say that they can, but I don't feel compelled to try, at least not at this point. There are mixed opinions on whether it stretches your pouch, but most people say that even if it doesn't stretch your pouch, it's uncomfortable.

I've developed a love for hot beverages after surgery. I drink at least one cup of tea every day. I prefer the fruit-flavored ones (especially apple). I like to add zero-calorie Syrup (DaVinci, Torani, Jordan's Skinny Syrup) to sweeten and flavor it. Apple tea + caramel syrup + hazelnut syrup is delicious! I also like chai tea + almond milk + vanilla syrup. Of course, these are artificially sweetened, so you may not like them, but it might be worth a try.

I am also a fellow coffee hater! I recently discovered an awesome product that I LOVE called Crio Bru. It's roasted cacao Beans that you brew like coffee. It doesn't taste like coffee (which I think is a good thing). I don't like it black, but it is absolutely delicious with a couple of ounces of flavored Protein Shake or some almond milk + zero-calorie syrup. My favorite combination is chocolate coconut Protein shake + caramel syrup -- sort of a liquid samoa. I'm kind of obsessed with Crio Bru and I highly recommend it. I bought a sampler from their web site, but you can buy a single bag on Amazon if you just want to try it. I bought a 5-pound bag when I finished the sampler pack!