Ok, I have read here that people recommend sugar-free Jello and sugar-free popsicles. If you are on the liquid diet stage and your body is already getting very few calories from just water, juice, and broth; why cut calories in popsicles and Jello? You don't want to starve to death. Your body will shut down if you don't get enough calories. I never bothered to get anything sugar-free during clear liquid phase. It just didn't seem to make sense to me. What do you guys think? :ermm

There are tons of reasons:

- Sugar is nothing but empty calories

- Sugar is addicting

- Sugar contributes to obesity

Boy, I'd have to write a novel to continue this one! I'm a sugar junkie, LOVE the crap. However, I'm really addicted to it, so I can't have just a little. I personally don't think there's anything wrong with having a little sugar, but if you are like me, you'll just want more and more and more. Ask yourself why you got the band. Probably to lose weight and live a healthier life, right? Well, sugar doesn't have any health benefits - quite the opposite, actually.

I am still on my liquids phase. I did get the lap-band to lose weight but I don't want to hurt my body by starving it either. I thought liquids was a healing phase, not weight loss phase. That's why I'm confused. If someone drinks broth and Water all only, with no calories, their metabolism will ker-plunk. That why I was thinking that sugars would be ok.

I am definately not an expert by any means, that's why I asked. Thanks for the input! :cheeky

Anyone else afraid of zero calories on their Clear Liquids phase?

i didnt do sugar free anything and still lost 16 pounds during my 2 week liquid stage.. i did do fat frr but i hate the taste of anything sugar free so i had the full sugar yogurt and icepops and pudding!

Wow Jack! You know your sugar! I will remember that. I didn't know that there was so much to it.

HamuChan, I'm with you. Too much sugar is evil, no doubt about that, but sugar substitutes have their own problems. I mix it up, using sugar substitute in coffee and tea but generally going for the regular-sugar versions of other things.

I'm with Alex. I said sugar was bad, but I never said I avoid it! I love the crap! I'm also an Equal & Sweet n' Low junkie so I mix them all the time.

I don't avoid sugar, but when I use sugar, I try to use something like a turbinado or a muscovado sugar. Muscovado is one of the earliest stages of sugar, so there are still huge quantities of molasis still in it. It is sooo good in my beloved Kenyan coffee...

Vine, you are killing me here! That Kenyan coffee & turbonado sounds Heavenly right now. Next you'll tell me you've got fresh, thick cream. Stop it.

uhm, no. Not gonna stop it.

Kenyan served via French Press, with turbinado and heavy cream. But we'll serve Jack a cup of naked coffee...

Anyone ever use Stevia as a sweetener?

I was never told sugar free during the liquid phase.

Yes, I use stevia. I get it in packets & a plastic bottle that's sold in health food stores. It also has insulin Fiber in it, which is supposed to be a good thing. I use it in my tea & it tastes like sugar/splenda, whatever.

Regarding the sugar-free question, I think it's a matter of balance. Dr's encourage gatorade/powerade until you start protien shakes; they both have sugar & electrolites. They just don't want you do drink a gallon of it a day! I was told regular Jello is fine, too. I was never told sugar-free, but I think you have to use your head.

My system will not tolerate sugar subs. I get the worst migraines you can imagine. I have used stevia and can tolerate it in small quanities, but if I overdo it I am bed with a damp towel over my eyes and my hubby is giving me an imitrex injection. (not fun) I have to be on a liquid diet for 14 days prior to surgery, do some doctors do a no/low sugar diet? I don't have the diet yet, I am still fighting with the insurance to come around and approve me. ~Mandy