alternative to fruit juice

You can ask your doctor about lactulose, which is a non-digestible sugar used as a laxative. Safe for regular use And works on the same principal as the fructose in fruit juices, except you do not gain the carb calories from it. You need a prescription though. Miralax is another safe option, and does not require an Rx.

Jan

Fluids for keeping k pouch output thin enough for easy emptying is only part of the solution.  I have found that certain foods like mashed potatoes and pasta (to name a couple) will thicken output, which is great for those with j pouches.  Fruit juices, and especially those labeled as “cocktails”, are loaded with sugar and will result in weight gain.  Many other foods, especially the processed foods and restaurant food, are also loaded with sugar.  Read the nutrition labels when you shop.  I drink unsweetened (also artificially sweetened) iced tea and plain water to stay hydrated and make emptying my pouch easier. I have never had to use laxatives or stool softeners and would caution you on their use. Also, by reducing my consumption of foods and drinks containing sugar and high calorie snacks, I lost 13 pounds in the last 6 months.

Jan, does the Miralax have any side effects that you know of? I will read up on the lactulose as well.  Thank you!

Bill, I agree about the food making it thick! I don't use any of the "cocktails" because they are not 100% and only 100% will thin it for me. That is great about your weight loss. I hope I have good results too. I am trying to weed out the processed foods and "shop the perimeter" at the grocery store (meaning to stick to fresh produce, meats and dairy located on the outer edges and ignore the isles of processed stuff in between!) It is a slow process though making a full transition.... I am also increasing my cardio (walking, stationary bike, elliptical machine) and adding in some weight lifting. 

Thank you both!!!

Rosie,

I use unsweetened green tea, gallons of coffee (freshly perked and not instant) because it thins things out beautifully (no milk). As a matter of fact, I tried tea for breakfast while on holidays and after 5 days I couldn't take it any longer...my pouch output was thick and sluggish. 

Coffee and a small quantity of prune juice is like draino! Grape juice does it too...You need juices that give you more power to the punch...less is more.  3 oz of either will do the trick for me. Same with clementine juice (stronger than orange).

In case of a really thick output (and I use this sparingly) I bought a bottle of colon cleanser...not to be used lightly or without much preparation and thought.

There are also special teas that boast their anti-toxin effect...Which really means that they run most people's colons...since we don't have one they just zip through us like drainO...

Those are my tricks and as Bill said, avoid the starches like bread, cake, pasta, rice, potatoes, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes etc...They thicken things up and turn them into wallpaper paste.

Sharon

Miralax is pretty safe. It is not a purgative, but an osmotic laxative. This means it holds water in the bowel to relieve constipation. Very similar to the action of juices. It is possible to have an allergic reaction, but it is not common.

Jan

Thanks Jan and Sharon!