Tuesday, January 15th, 2008...10:57 pm

Rethinking the V8

Yesterday I asked a bit of a rhetorical question when I asked about if it was OK to drink v8 calories as opposed to eating food calories.  I was pretty sure I knew the answer - because V8 gives you a couple of servings of vegetables and is still fairly low calorie, it is good for you.  That kind of liquid calorie is OK.  I thought.

So after I asked the question I got a ton of you saying that’s great, V8 is a fine drink, but watch out for the sodium.  That’s salt to me.  And you were right!  Wow, is it loaded with it.  12oz serving has around 1,000mg of sodium, which is almost half your daily recommended allowance.

I checked on Campbell’s site because I wanted to see what other types of V8 were available, and see how they handled the sodium question.  The interesting thing is that it’s impossible (at least for me) to find the sodium content info on any version of their V8 except for their low sodium version, which they are happy to provide.  Clearly they are hiding something.  Something grotesque!

I’ll probably try the low sodium version but I already know I won’t like it.  How’s that for defeatist?  Maybe if I spice it up with some Tabasco it will be acceptable?  The thing that sucks is after having this pointed out I checked out some of the other foods in my market basket and I discovered that things like olives and in particular any sort of cured meat like deli turkey, smoked ham, etc is loaded with sodium.  So that’s something I may have to start watching.

V8 Fusion does look like an interesting option, I’ll have to look for it next time I shop.

So for now I have 3 more large bottles of Spicy Hot V8 to get through, then I will reassess whether it stays in my diet.

Do you have a food you assumed was good for you only to find out it wasn’t?

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11 Comments

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11 Comments

  • MyAvatars 0.2 Dona
    January 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am
    I have a feeling the low sodium V-8 is some kind of nasty, but that is totally based on my experience with other low sodium products (anyone tried the low sodium catsup - yuck!). As to if I had a food I thought was good and found out it wasn’t - oh yes. I found these great low glycemic snack bars that I really enjoyed. Calories weren’t too bad but it turns out they really have too much saturated fat in them to be considered healthy AND they contained the dreaded palm kernal oil! Have a great day!
  • MyAvatars 0.2 Susanne F
    January 16th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
    Lemon Pepper Seasoning, OK it is only a spice but never the less; the first thing on the food label is salt !!!

    I have stopped using it.

    One thing about the v8, when you are thirsty your body needs water and not energy in any form, just plain tap water (or spring water, if you you cannot drink the tap water).

    Best from Denmark

  • MyAvatars 0.2 Andrew
    January 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
    Let us know how that low-sodium drink tastes. My experience is that they are usually not very palatable.
  • MyAvatars 0.2 heidi
    January 16th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
    the low sodium V8 takes some getting used to. The first time I tried it, I wanted to spew! In the beginning I was adding a pinch of “low sodium” salt to it…. yes, there is such a thing. Then I eventually weaned myself off of that and now drink it straight. After drinking it awhile - if you go back to the regular V8 - you’ll actually taste how salty the regular stuff is! As far as the fusion drink goes, I like it. It’s a bit thick unlike your standard fruit juice, but take it for what it is - one serving each of fruits and veggies.
  • MyAvatars 0.2 Cammy
    January 16th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
    Maybe you can just have the V8 on less sodium-dense days? I know what it’s like to feel like you found a treasure only to have it snatched away. I lost my beloved Fiber One bars that way. I *thought* I read the label before I bought them, but I guess I confused them with something else because these bars have the dreaded hydrogenated palm kernel oil. *Sob!*
  • MyAvatars 0.2 Diana the Scale Junkie
    January 16th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
    I drink low sodium V8 but even still, its a lot of sodium. I like that its very filling with not a lot of calories, especially when I’m stuck at work late, its better than a vending machine snack. Try it with a dash of hot sauce and a bit of black pepper…YUMMY!!
  • MyAvatars 0.2 John
    January 17th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
    I wouldn’t worry about this. Unless you have blood pressure problems presently, your salt intake shouldn’t cause too much of a problem. Just drink your V8’s and keep an eye on your blood pressure. If those numbers go up then cut back on the salt. BTW not all people are as sensitive to salt with regards to its impact on blood pressure.
  • MyAvatars 0.2 IAAdmin
    January 17th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
    Personally, I’m not a fan of any V8 drinks, so it’s hard for me to comment.

    But, yesterday I blogged about a great little calorie calculator specifically for Chipotle. It’s a cute little gadget, and watching the calories go up and down is amazing. Back to the sodium, one burrito had over 88% of the recommended daily sodium. Although, I thought this was rather high, it’s nothing compared to a beverage supplying 50% in 12oz.

  • MyAvatars 0.2 Turnip
    January 18th, 2008 at 1:33 am
    V8 Fusion tasted too much like carrot juice, if it’s what I’m thinking of. Spicy hot V8 was the best for Bloody Mary’s. Now if drinking your calories is your thing, I have the best invention of all time. No lie. I swap 2 meals a day with a powdered mix. There are 2 I swear by. Spiru-tein Peanut Butter-Chocolate, and Fruit-tein Red.

    I mix 1 scoop power, 8 Ice Cubes, 1 cup milk, and a tablespoon of flaxseed oil. Let me tell you, it takes exactly like ice cream, just drink it like a milkshake.

  • MyAvatars 0.2 Julie
    January 20th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
    Being I am not a fan of vegetable juice, I was thrilled to learn about V8 Fusion. I love the taste.
  • MyAvatars 0.2 Cindy
    February 6th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
    I love Spicy Hot V8. I’ve been drinking it for years, and I’ve always know about the sodium. Fortunately I am a runner and sweat out the salt, so I have no problem with it!

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