juices

My doctor allows up to 8 oz of 100% fruit juice a day post-op.  I've been drinking 4 oz of apple juice a day in hopes that it will keep things moving. Anyway, I bought some insanely delicious carrot/apple juice to mix things up. It got me thinking about buying a juicer and making my own fresh juices. Is this a good idea, or do I need to stay away from juices? What about blending fruits and veggies in the food processor instead to make shakes? Is it healthier to drink the pulp?

Store-bought juice is not healthy. I would rather eat those calories than drink the. Juice does not give you a full feeling, and in the end you will want to eat more.

Using your calories on lean protein would be much better.

What about home pressed vegetable juices? Is it worth it to buy a juicer, or are all fruit and vegetable juices wasted calories I guess is what I am asking.

Truly, this is a question probably best directed to your doctor. I think clear fruit juices are an option in the early part of my post-surgery diet, but following that, not so much--too many calories and not enough other benefits. On the other hand, I do try to get in some raw fruit every day; watermelon is my current fave, and I have been managing about 4oz of that as an afternoon snack because it has also really boosted my fluid intake which needs help.

Personally, I would consider having a fruit and veggie smoothie with at least 20g protein (powder) added as a breakfast item in stead of a protein drink once in a while, but I definitely would not have it without the protein added, as I doubt I could fit anything else in, and I wouldn't want to waste a meal opportunity to get in my protein requirements. Also, fruit smoothies are a lot like ice cream to my mind, and that is not a path down which I need go ;)

I dont drink a lot of juice, but I do sometimes buy the sugar free ones. I really like grapefruit juice. The juicer idea sounds good. I sometimes put fruit in my protein shakes. My plan encourages fruit and veggies.

On occasion I will drink the diet cranberry juice and the diet cran-grape. They have no sugar or carbs and are a nice change from just plain water.