A kind of a Silly Question - ThinnerTimes

taleci · 05-22-2007, 01:22 PM

My husband hates it when I ask him "what if" questions like this, so I'll throw it out here because this one has really been bothering me.

This week I am on an all liquid diet with the Optifast shakes. This made me start to think... We all know that research has discovered that if we don't eat, our body goes into starvation mode and we don't lose weight.

So, what constitutes eating? Is just drinking water, in order to feel full but with no calories, enough to fool our bodies? Or does our body have to have something with some kind of "ingredient" no matter how small (like broth) to make it feel like it has had a meal? Or does it have to have a consistency, something to process (like cottage cheese) to count?

Anyone know?

Zenomia · 05-22-2007, 01:48 PM

It counts if it has caloric or nutrient rich intake. The vitamins and suppliments you digest, liquids or otherwise count. It comes down to calories in vs. calories out. Your body WILL go into starvation mode, but you won't have the same (physical) response to it as you did before. On the liquid diet pre-op...it's hard the first few days, (I have heard), then it gets easier. Just keep your eye on the prize.

Best wishes. (I love playing what if's too!! My hubbie just rolls his eyes at me anymore and tells me to play the lottery instead!! LOL)

Nette72 · 05-22-2007, 01:56 PM

Hey I am on the pre-op Optifast liquid diet also, started yesterday. No question is silly, kinda curious myself. They told me I could eat RAW vegtables and SF jello & popsicles. Would hope that would help with the starvation mode.

taleci · 05-22-2007, 02:11 PM

Thanks Zen!

Ronette, I am having the best luck by eating celery. It is filling me up and helping tremendously. The first three days were hard for me, but today my office had a huge lunch brought in and I just sipped on my shake and wasn't phased by all the yummy food items in front of me. I surprised myself!

Nette72 · 05-22-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taleci

Thanks Zen!

Ronette, I am having the best luck by eating celery. It is filling me up and helping tremendously. The first three days were hard for me, but today my office had a huge lunch brought in and I just sipped on my shake and wasn't phased by all the yummy food items in front of me. I surprised myself!

I thought celery would be o.k for me but I am finding out I am doing better with carrots and green peppers. They didn't specify what kind of vegetables, just that it had to be raw veggies.

How long have you been on the liquids? I have to do 2 weeks.

How do you like the shakes? My fav is chocolate!! Don't mind the french vanilla so much but the strawberry isn't the best, thank goodness I bought mostly chocolate..

Yesterday was my first day and I did good until I had to cook for the hubby and kids, boy was that tempting. UGH..

hello kitty · 05-22-2007, 03:15 PM

I'm amazed by all of you that have to do the 2 weeks of liquid diet BEFORE the surgery...then do liquids again afterwards!! I only had to do a couple days of liquid before my surgery, thank goodness. I'm not sure I could have handled it...so bravo to all of you that are or have!!!

taleci · 05-22-2007, 05:15 PM

LOL Kitty...it is my own fault that I am on a liquid diet....I had too many "last" bites of this and that and put on weight

Nette72 · 05-22-2007, 06:30 PM

Our surgeons require the 2 week liquids if you are having the lap procedure. Nothing is required for the open and if you have the lap band then you have to be on liquids much longer.

readyforit · 05-22-2007, 08:25 PM

I used to love the liquid only diets . . . I used HMR 800 and it was great. I attempted the diet on about 1000 calories a day several times over the years. I really loved not having to make any choices and losing the weight . . . only to put it back on, of course.

And yes . . . liquids can be considered eating too. I used to get that question all the time. "Don't you miss eating???" I would answer that I am eating . . . I'm just not chewing my food. Babies eat too, but their nutrition is in liquid form of course.