Hi Johnbishop. I am a connect member in some different areas, but they all seem to become interconnected. Do you happen to know if your smoothies can be used on a low residue diet? I am dealing with pseudo obstructions, and I am decompressing the bowel right now coming off a big shut down requiring an NG tube. Raw is not on the allowable food list in its normal form, but since I am blending cooked stuff to a liquid, can I blend raw stuff to a liquid as well? I want to access the nutritional value of raw, which I normally do on a day to day. I have to prevent residue in the bowel for a while, until it contracts back to normal.
Thank you for any information!
UPArtist

Hi @upartist, I would like to bring some other Connect folks into the discussion to see if they know of others that may be better suited to answer your question. @kanaazpereira @dawn_giacabazi @kdubois @kariulrich do you have any thoughts you can add for UPArtist?

I think you would still be adding fiber into the diet even though the pieces would be smaller if blended into a smoothie. Occassionally I will add some left over cooked veggies into my breakfast smoothie.

Mayo Clinic does have some information on a low-fiber diet here: http://mayocl.in/2s1TdwR

Mayo has a YouTube video on the subject that may be helpful...
http://bit.ly/2tFBFU8
John

Thank you John. That gave me good information.
Respectfully,
UPArtist

If you're near a Costco, they have a big bag with individual packages for smoothies that include kale, spinach, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. It's important to have protein with the carbs. I add their veg-based vanilla protein powder and sliced 1/2 or full banana, and for the liquid, I use half almond milk, half water. I have a Vitamix, which really helps because I start with the frozen packages, but other strong blenders probably work, too. The brand is FreshStart, and it's in the freezer row where frozen fruit is, too.

PS: It looks burgundy at first and then turns greenish brown. But it tastes really good, and you taste only the berries (and optional banana).

Welcome to Connect, @soloact. Thanks for the tip on mixed fruit and vegetable packages. I have never seen that but will keep my eyes open for it.
We look forward to getting to know more about you. What brings you to the community?

Hello @soloact, thank you for the tip on the frozen smoothie mix. Those are pretty much my smoothie ingredients and will make it easier for me when I can't get the fresh berries, kale and spinach. I've purchased the frozen berries before but have never seen the individual package with all the ingredients in each package for one smoothie. What kind of liquid and how much do you add if you don't mind my asking? I use Zico no sugar added coconut water 4 oz and 4 oz of water in my regular smoothie along with 1 cup of berries and 2 cups of greens and sometimes a tablespoon of flax or chia seeds.

John

Instructions on the packets say to add 1.5 cups of water, but I add half water, half almond milk. Coconut milk or partly that could work. So could apple juice, which is a common smoothie ingredient but has too much sugar, to me. I used to add a bit of yogurt, but the almond milk and protein powder add protein and are quicker, easier, and last longer before having to restock. Each packet makes two glasses, so I save one for the next morning.

I recently spent an overnight at the hospital for observation, because I had either a TIA or ophthalmic (occur) migraine. Still waiting for neurologist follow-up appt so still not sure which, but likely the migraine. But the CT scan they did revealed that I had a previous stroke. So now I can add "microvascular disease" (not even sure that's correct yet) to my heart diagnoses of diastolic dysfunction (heart failure), bradycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). I don't even count severe sleep apnea and mild-moderate COPD at this stage.

I'm actually doing pretty well, all things considered. But I am scared about the future. I'm 72 and one of the hundreds (at least) of "economic exiles" forced to leave California because of housing costs. I'm in Port Angeles, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula (pretty remote place), know hardly anyone here because I haven't been here very long and have no family within 2000 miles. So I need a place that I can ask questions and maybe SAY that I'm scared or confused or just having a heckuva hard time adjusting to this new reality. I'm not likely to attend a local support group and don't know of one anyway. So decided to try this. Thanks for the welcome.

"occular" migraine, not "occur" -- couldn't edit, so sorry for this