100 lb. Club - I shoulda had a V8??

What do we think of V8 or other vegetable juices??? I must admit sometimes it's a bit of a chore getting enough veggies, so I wondered if this might be a good idea? is it worth the calories? I'm usually against "drinking" my calories, but like I said, some days I do not want to crunch any more!

I don't drink them myself because I am not a fan of veggie juices. But I think it is a good option, I'd go for the low sodium variety though...

Oh dear. I hate them. Really, I can't even choke them down without holding my nose. I can do tomato juice (with some hot sauce, vodka and a stalk of celery) but I really can't do V8s.

However, they have been part of the South Beach plan for years and I always thought it would be a good complement for breakfast.

I can do tomato juice (with some hot sauce, vodka and a stalk of celery)


Hey, that still counts as veggie intake, right? ;) I mean, you've got tomatoes, celery, hot sauce (peppers!)...

I use to love them... Actually... I pretty much lived off of them when I was in College.

That and egg drop soup with veggies. Fastest weight loss month I ever had was back then...

Seriously though:

I think they are certainly a viable option if you are not meeting your quota and it is only from time to time. I wouldn't make them a habit as in more than one a day though.

Aside from the ick factor for me, it's super high in sodium. My mom loves it, though, but says the low sodium variety is nasty!

Ok... Kinda odd but interesting none the less:

V8 has a diet plan on their web site... Not saying to follow it but some interesting ideas for tying it into meal plans.

The low sodium is terrible, because it uses potassium chloride, a salt substitute which has a metalic taste. So for me, it's still too salty with a bitter aftertaste.

I can't stand tomato and vegetable juices cold as juice, but I use them as soup base all of the time. I figure whole veggies are better (because of the water and fiber), but juice is better than nothing (which unfortunately sometimes is the alternative). Although since I love soup, I add chopped veggies to the juice and then add an equal part of low fat chicken broth, so I get the best of both worlds. I can get my five veggie servings in one nice bowl of soup. I do have to be a little careful though, as I love the stuff and can eat enough to cause temporary water weight gain (so I don't make soup within three to four days of weigh-in).

Sorry, I can't relate on this one at all. First off, I despise the taste of tomato type drinks and I would never, ever consider drinking one. And second of all, I eat vegetables literally all day long. I get in waaaay more then the recommended amount.

You said you drink when you get sick of crunching. How about cooking the veggies, so they don't crunch. I make a big, huge batch of roasted green beans. I then have them for a few days to munch on, even cold they're delicious. When I want a snack, I sometimes thickly slice a zucchini, sprinkle on a little sea salt, some garlic and onion powders and stick it under the broiler for a few minutes, turn over and put under the broiler for another couple of minutes. Great snack. Roasted peppers are also yummy and keep for a few days. Makes a great snack alongside an egg white omlette. Just a couple of ideas........

I personally love the Low Sodium V-8. A 11.5oz can is equivalent to 2 veggie servings. I wouldn't replace my veggies with this entirely, as alot of fiber gets stripped out.

Before I dieted I had tried to limit my sodium intake, as I had a severe edema problem. So, foods high in sodium tastes nasty to me now

V-8 is not high calorie, and if you are worried about salt you could always try the low sodium version. I drink the regular version. I like it now and then.

If you ever get leg cramps at night, a small can of V-8 before bed will eliminate them. It's the potassium (a naturally occurring nutrient in vegetables).

Jay

I drink a glass of V-8 pretty much every day. Sometimes I doctor it up like a virgin mary and I like the spicy one too. On South Beach we're supposed to have 4.5 cups of veggies a day, and that is a challenge for me some days, so I supplement with the V-8 to make sure I get the recommended amount most days. Fortunately, I like the taste, but the low-sodium is gross.

I love tomato juice, so I would probably like v-8. I haven't tried it in years, and I can't really remember. I just have this mental thing about drinking my calories (even low calories). If I do it, it is as a treat. Actually about the only time I get tomato juice anymore is on an airplane. :)

There are very few days that I don't get my veggie servings in. Usually hunger forces me to, even if I'm not in the mood. I just find the whole vegetable so much more filling than the juice.

I love V-8, but agree with the sodium issue. I do like the low sodium variety, but not quite as much as the regular one. I don't drink it all the time, but I really like it.

When I was growing up, a cup of chicken bouillon (made from those salty cubes) was a good, hot treat. Now I can't drink it because it's so salty. We used to can our own tomato juice, and it was lovely. Combine those two tastes (salty and tomato-y) and you basically have V-8. So yeah, I enjoy vegetable and tomato juices. I don't drink them very often (I'm the only one in the house that drinks it, and I seldom drink a whole bottle), but I do like them. And I like having the option for vegetable juice when I buy my lunch out. Most delis have v-8 or tomato juice.

I usually get more than the recommended amount of vegetables a day, so don't need it. Also, like previous posters, I avoid drinking my calories and avoid any food with that much salt.

About Sodium Consumption: Even though my blood pressure is currently very good, I agree with those who suggest low salt consumption to help it stay that way (e.g. Nutrition Action Newsletter). I'm aware that some others see no need to restrict salt intake until high blood pressure is a problem.

About Potassium Consumption: Can't bring myself to feel excited about (over) consumption of potassium as a substitute for (over) consumption of sodium. Even thought I have no idea where a single can of low sodium V-8 juice stands in the spectrum of too little and too much potassium, it's not for me. YMMV :)

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Completed Beck Program-day 12. 30 to go. Keep going!

I was curious about the sodium thing, so I did some comparison. (using Fitday values, rounded to the nearest five)

Tomato juice (875 per cup) has more than V-8 juice (650), but the v-8 is comparable to a cup of pretzel sticks (680), and only a little more than 3 slices of cheddar cheese (525). Even stewed tomatoes, made from fresh tomatoes rather than canned, have a lot of sodium (700), as does salsa (1075)

For me, getting more tomato into my diet, and more vegetable goodness, and cutting back on sweeter drinks, is worth a little extra sodium. Especially if I'm usually "eating clean" the rest of the day.

RL Knudsen makes a really good veggie blend and there are several other brands on the market, most of which offer low sodium as well and tend to taste less processed than V8.

There are a few who do not consume a lot of sodium and do this as a precautionary measure.

I have a friend who grew up in a house where her parents were low sodium people due to blood pressure. She would faint, feel weak, etc. all the time. They tried to figure out what the issue was for years and years... Until they did the test to check her sodium levels and tied it to her low blood pressure.

Be careful when cutting things out as a "preventative" measure. Please... PLEASE talk to your Doctor about your actual needs with regards to things like sodium intake.

Don't get me wrong... I am not saying to get wild with it. I am just saying to be careful on limiting it heavily if it is not a health issue for you.

Personally,
I see no reason to ingest lots of sodium, our bodies don't need as much sodium as the average american ingests. I have low blood pressure and I cut out most added sodium no problem but I do get the sodium that naturally occurs in foods.

I also hate V8. Couldn't drink it even if you paid me to.

Every morning though I do make spinach smoothies which I really love. I put about 3-4 cups of loosely packed spinach, 1/2 cup of berries, 1/2 banana, a bit of flax seed meal and some water in a blender cup and blend it well. It tastes really good :)

I love the stuff. I drink a can of the low sodium variety every day!

I think the trend here is that there is no trend.

Some people love it, some people hate it. Some people are bothered by the sodium, some aren't.

If you feel like it helps you to supplement your veggies with V8, then go for it, I say. Just make sure you account for the sodium and aren't going overboard with it, if that's an issue for you.

Another Southbeacher here! Yep, I drink the low sodium variety at breakfast. I cant eat eggs, so I have trouble meeting my veggie requirement at breakfast.(no yummy omelets for me!) I had to get used to the taste. I still don't love it, but I tolerate it.

Tomato juice is the way I go; I don't like V-8. I drink it to "fill" myself up, so I don't go on a snack binge. The single-serving can of Heinz juice is 30 calories, and 480 mg of sodium (20%) It's almost tasty if I add some pepper to it!

My aunt makes her own version of V8 at home in the blender with fresh veggies. She just throws in tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, some onion and garlic, carrots, and celery, thins it with a little water as needed, and voila. A lot less sodium, I would guess, and she swears it's tasty.

If V8 helps, I say go for it. A lot of our choices are tradeoffs, and we have to weigh the pros and cons and decide which is best *for us.* What will aid us to stay OP and reach our goals, and what will not be helpful, is different for everyone.

I don't restrict my sodium intake. My BP was 110/78 last week. There are a lot of conflicting opinions about whether it is necessary for everyone to watch their sodium, or just those with a predisposition to hypertension. In my case, I feel that there are other things I need to pay closer attention to at the moment. Others may feel differently about their current situations.

As to sodium, not everyone is sensitive to it, even people with high blood pressure. My family has very rarely used salt at the table, and even in cooking, if the recipe calls for salt, we usually omit it, or if it's needed (for example in baked bread to rise properly) we usually use 1/4 to 1/2 of what is called for. My dad even found a potato chip brand without added salt and that was the brand that was usually in the house.

My mom and I both have high blood pressure, but our sodium levels are very low, sometimes too low. Both of us have been told by doctors to go out of our way to eat a little salt. Mom actually had water poisoning because drinking too much water depleted her sodium levels to a dangerous level. And I had to take sodium supplements before surgery once to prevent a heart attack on the table.

That being said, my body is sensitive to sodium and I gain water weight. It doesn't affect my blood pressure, but it's annoying to step on the scale and see that temporary gain. Drinking extra water with high sodium foods helps alot.

As for the potassium chloride, my understanding is that not everyone experiences the metallic taste, but for those who do, it's extremely unpleasant, and there's nothing you can really do to mask the taste. I made a huge pot of soup with the stuff, and kept trying to add seasonings to try to counterbalance the aftertaste, and I just ended up throwing the whole mess a way.

I am curious about something some folks have posted here, about not wanting to drink their calories - does that mean only water to drink? I stay away from "empty" calories in sugary things like sodas, sweet tea, and fruit juice, but sometimes when I'm hungry a glass of skim milk is just the thing. This has calories, but also vitamins, protein, calcium, etc. V8 too has calories, but not many and lots of other good stuff. I love soup or broth when it's cold out too. Why are people avoiding these types of things?

I posted that I tend not to "drink my calories," yet I thoroughly enjoy skim milk. Peanut butter and banana sandwiches just wouldn't be the same without it. :)

So yes, not drinking my calories to me means avoiding sugar drinks, sugar in my coffee, and sugar in my tea (hot and cold).

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I'm with Colleen--I tend to hold water, and extra sodium just aggravates the condition. But I don't totally eliminate it!

My dad even found a potato chip brand without added salt and that was the brand that was usually in the house.

Oh do tell... Please...

I am not suppose to have "table salt" or "salt with iodine" but I can have as much sea salt as I want.

Unfortunately Sea Salt chips are almost always done in the wrong oil, or with vinegar. *le sigh*

I would totally make a trip south if need be to get salt free chips for the occasions when I want them.

My aunt makes her own version of V8 at home in the blender with fresh veggies. She just throws in tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, some onion and garlic, carrots, and celery, thins it with a little water as needed, and voila. A lot less sodium, I would guess, and she swears it's tasty.

In my kitchen, we call that "gazpacho (http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000603gazpacho.php)" *laughs*

Um, let me think. It was a red and white bag, and called something like Home Cooked, and they had a salted and unsalted variety. I believe they were a small company in the midwest. I thought I saw some in the grocery stores here in Wisconsin too, so if I see them, I'll post the brand here.

I did find this website page

http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?category_code=92


Also, Terra Chip brands have some varieties that are pretty low in sodium. I think one of the yukon gold varieties is a low salt. I love the Terra Chips, but they're so expensive. I bought some recently that were a red white and blue mix of beets, sweet potatoes, and blue potatoes with sea salt. Very good.

I posted that I tend not to "drink my calories," yet I thoroughly enjoy skim milk. Peanut butter and banana sandwiches just wouldn't be the same without it. :)

So yes, not drinking my calories to me means avoiding sugar drinks, sugar in my coffee, and sugar in my tea (hot and cold).

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Completed Beck Program-day 12. 30 to go. Keep going!

For me, "not drinking my calories" means cutting back on beer and wine, and switching to lower-carb drinks like vodka, or cutting out alcohol altogether. I'm not one for sweets like soda or sugar in my tea, so that's not really a problem for me.

I'm kind of LOVING the idea of putting it in SOUP!!! I've found that my veggie soup (mostly chicken broth, a tin of tomatoes and then a gajillion veggies) was lacking a little something! I thought maybe a squoosh of tomato paste could help but I think I'll try some tomato juice or V8 in it :D

thanks
tt

In my kitchen, we call that "gazpacho (http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000603gazpacho.php)" *laughs*

lol, that was my first thought too when she was telling me, but she thins it down A LOT more than that, and blends all the texture out.

She tried to get me to try some once, but it smelled rather...garlic-y....so I pretended not to hear her and went to another room.

Um, let me think. It was a red and white bag, and called something like Home Cooked, and they had a salted and unsalted variety. I believe they were a small company in the midwest. I thought I saw some in the grocery stores here in Wisconsin too, so if I see them, I'll post the brand here.

I did find this website page

http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?category_code=92


Also, Terra Chip brands have some varieties that are pretty low in sodium. I think one of the yukon gold varieties is a low salt. I love the Terra Chips, but they're so expensive. I bought some recently that were a red white and blue mix of beets, sweet potatoes, and blue potatoes with sea salt. Very good.

Actually... After reading through them all... I think I want Dirty Potato Chips! http://www.dirtys.com

I am going to email them to ask about their seasoning ingredients... It is fine for this household that they are done in Peanut Oil. :carrot:

I've tried that brand and they were really good. I thought the name was funny.

I am curious about something some folks have posted here, about not wanting to drink their calories - does that mean only water to drink? I stay away from "empty" calories in sugary things like sodas, sweet tea, and fruit juice, but sometimes when I'm hungry a glass of skim milk is just the thing. This has calories, but also vitamins, protein, calcium, etc. V8 too has calories, but not many and lots of other good stuff. I love soup or broth when it's cold out too. Why are people avoiding these types of things?

For me it usually does mean only water to drink. I prefer water to other beverages, generally. Occasionally (maybe once a week) I will have a diet soda or a glass of crystal light. I use a little skim milk in my oatmeal but I don't drink milk anymore. I don't find it filling enough for the calories, personally. I can get protein and calcium as well as any added vitamins from other sources as well as skim milk. And as a beverage, I would still be thirsty after only one cup.

I do eat soup that is broth based. Personally I don't care for just plain broth.

You know, we all have to find what we can and can't live without. For me, it's no sacrifice to decide that I don't want V8, or that tomato juice is something I only have occasionally, or that I don't want skim milk as a beverage. For you, it may be a sacrifice that you're not willing to make.

I've tried that brand and they were really good. I thought the name was funny.

The name amused me as well...

Now I just need someone in the US to phone their 1800 # to ask for their direct # so I can call them to ask questions. LOL! They have the country specific cap on... But I have friends in the US who would forward it on or bring it to me.

:dizzy::carrot:

Thanks, jtammy, and synger and bill, I was just curious. I think I'm following a different plan than most others here, and it works for me, but not for everyone I'm sure. For instance, the potato chips being discussed here would not be okay for me, no matter what the oil or salt is. I'm glad I've found something that works for me so far and I hope everyone here has too, no matter what that plan is, as long as it's healthy. It's interesting to read about the different things people do. Sometimes I read things that I want to try out too. My impression is that the most successful people here aren't following a particular plan to the letter, but have combined things that they've found work for them. But you're right, I drink a lot of water too, but I wouldn't want to give up the V-8 or milk, I think they help me a lot.

Trazey, V-8 is yummy for a soup base, but just remember it does already have a lot of salt, so you'll probably want to reduce any added salt you usually put in.

Sara, thanks for the idea of "homemade" V8~~interesting!!! BTW we have a cat named sarah and we called her trisaratops when DS was going through his dinosaur obsessed stage....LOL

I'll drink V8 occasionally, I add pepper and a dash of hot sauce to it and can drink it fast.....then I found the spicy v8 and it's TOO spicy for me. It numbs my tongue....But have seen recipes that have spicy V8 in tomato sauce, it kicks it up a bit. I like the idea of putting it in soups too, sounds good.

As for drinking calories, I'll drink milk and v8 but maybe not the amount of calories that's in say, a smoothie. Though I've been known to drink protein shakes when I'm in serious workout mode.

I love V8 and use it instead of tomato juice in TONS of recipes.

I buy the no salt added store brand vegetable juice. It rocks my socks. :) I don't drink it often, but for a day you need a quick gulp of something before going out the door, it serves its purpose then I am already ahead on the vegetable servings.