Crystal light--does it count as water?

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theblondegal
theblondegal Posts: 16
in Food and Nutrition
Since you make crystal light by adding water, can I count the servings I drink as water intake for the day? Thank you!!
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Replies

  • VeganGal84
    VeganGal84 Posts: 938 Member
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    I always count it.
  • majpal
    majpal Posts: 41 Member
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    Yes! Count the Crystal Light as water. It helps me get enough water in to add CL powder to my water. Sometimes I throw a lemon wedge in my ice water too. Variety makes it easier.
  • Melisha82
    Melisha82 Posts: 243
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    I count it as well :) I also switch it up by putting slices of fresh fruit in my bottled water.
  • Punkedpoetess
    Punkedpoetess Posts: 633 Member
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    I think you can count it as water. I sometimes drink this and do count it towards my water.
  • MsRobin_TheSequel
    MsRobin_TheSequel Posts: 127 Member
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    Absolutely! I also log the cals from the packet, I believe it's 5. If it weren't for Crystal Light I wouldn't be able to drink as much water as I do.
  • shellgib
    shellgib Posts: 196 Member
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    ABSOLUTELY!!!!
  • Kat5343
    Kat5343 Posts: 451 Member
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    You might also want to try Mio....it is 0 everything and adds lots of flavor...plus it is a liquid and not a powder so there is nothing to dissolve...
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
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    I actually use crystal light as a sweet treat but I do count it in my water ounces, as well as the calories from the crystal light.
  • Hodar
    Hodar Posts: 338 Member
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    Our bodies are marvelous creations. We can get water from the air, absorped through the skin, and even from our food. Ever eat a lot of watermelon and have to go? If we can get water from melons - you can get water from Gatorade, lemonade, crystal light, soda and even Propel.

    Your stomach and intestines are really good at extracting water from a variety of stuff you put in them.
  • smkey
    smkey Posts: 121 Member
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    I love MIO! It has become my new staple!
  • theblondegal
    theblondegal Posts: 16
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    I've never heard of MIo! I'll do some research and see if I can find any. Thanks! :)
  • mrsbrown2k1
    mrsbrown2k1 Posts: 139
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    Yep you can count it towards your water just don't forget to add up those 5 extra calories per 8oz. They add up quickly if you aren't careful. Therefore I always buy the off brands that are calorie free!
  • DontThinkJustRun
    DontThinkJustRun Posts: 248 Member
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    I sure count it! I try to alternate, so I'll do 32 oz w/ 1/2 a packet of CL then 32 oz w/ just lemon and so on. I don't care for MIO, I think they us a different sugar substitute and it makes me hungry - wierd.

    IMO don't stress about the cals, I've NEVER counted them and I know I've used as much as 30 cals in a day, really in the grand scheme not a big deal.
  • LizToner
    LizToner Posts: 49
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    ME too. I use it when I am beginning to have cravings!
  • numejak
    numejak Posts: 43 Member
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    (from Fooducate Blog)

    Crystal Light Lemonade boasts “Natural Flavor with other Natural Flavors”. That sounds like a weird sentence. What exactly does it mean?

    We took a look at the ingredient list for some clues:

    Citric Acid, Potassium and Sodium Citrate, Aspartame, magnesium oxide, contains 2% or less of natural flavor, lemon juice solids, acesulfame potassium, soy lecithin, artificial color, yellow 5, BHA (preserves freshness).

    Here’s a brief glossary to understand what this “naturally flavored” product contains:

    Citric acid is a natural preservative that is used in beverages to add an acidic, sour taste. Although it is naturally found in citrus fruit (oranges, lemons), industry has a found a cheaper way to manufacture it. This is through a fermentation process in which a mold called Aspergillus Niger is used to ferment a carbohydrate such as molasses. sounds grosser than it really is.

    Potassium Citrate and Sodium Citrate – add more tart flavor and also serve as an acidity regulator. Why would we need an “acidity regulator”? All foods live somewhere along the pH scale – acid products taste sour (lemons, yogurt) , while an alkaline products taste bitter (baking soda). Acidity regulators change the acidity or alkalinity of a product for 2 reasons: taste and safety. for processing, taste and food safety. if the pH is off, mold or bacteria can grow on a product. OK, chemistry lesson over.

    Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that the FDA approves as safe, as do innumerable studies over the past few decades. And yet, enough question marks have been raised as to its safety to warrant caution and limiting use. Acesulfame potassium, often used in conjuction with Aspartame, is another artificial sweetener with even more questions regarding its long term health effects. But you can’t argue with the calories. Almost zero compared to 60-90 calories per comparable sugar sweetened drinks.

    Magnesium oxide is not often used in foods, but you’ll find it in supplements, and as a moisture absorber. It has caused tumors in hamsters.

    Natural flavor – finally, the reason this product is called “naturally flavored”. You’ll never know what’s in there because it is a trade secret. But hey, don’t worry, it’s natural. Had it been artificial, the label would have read artificial flavor.

    Soy lecithin is an emulsifier. It keeps everything mixed together so the powder mix won’t fall to the bottom of the bottle after you stop mixing. Read more about it here.

    There are 2 artificial colors here. One is yellow 5, a dubious chemical that has also been shown to be carcinogenic. The other is just “artificial color”. Lovely, we don’t even know what we’re getting.

    BHA is a preservative. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers BHA to be “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Despite this, the FDA still considers it safe.

    OK, so after all this, can someone please explain what this product and “natural” have to do with each other ?
  • DontThinkJustRun
    DontThinkJustRun Posts: 248 Member
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    ^ well thanks for ruining all the fun LOL!

    Seriously though, I try my best to limit my chemicals, preservatives, etc. but life is too short and I'm already too OCD to stress about all of it and if that's the way I'm going to get in my water well...keep informing this masses though - we need to know the truth!
  • monkeylauralee
    monkeylauralee Posts: 3 Member
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    It does, but I try to keep it at 50% or less of the water I drink. (per my doctor's reccomemdation)
  • Luthorcrow
    Luthorcrow Posts: 193
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    No. You might as well start counting diet soda was water. If you are being honest with yourself the water count should be water and water only.
  • DontThinkJustRun
    DontThinkJustRun Posts: 248 Member
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    ^^^seriously? You equate CL to diet soda? Ok, the chemicals are similar, but isn't that a bit of a stretch? What if I drank 32oz of water the ate a packet of CL, would I still not be drinking water?

    Bottom line, if that's what you need to do to get you water in, go for it. Would plain water be better? Absolutely. But some people just can't choke down that much water in a day. Not to mention this journey is about what works for you and not about being a perfectionist hard liner.
  • Luthorcrow
    Luthorcrow Posts: 193
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    ^^^seriously? You equate CL to diet soda? Ok, the chemicals are similar, but isn't that a bit of a stretch? What if I drank 32oz of water the ate a packet of CL, would I still not be drinking water?

    Yes, I do. Aside from carbonation it is clearly the same ballpark.

    It's not about being hardline but the whole point behind the water count is to encourage people to drink at least 8 glass of water a day. Counting drinks like CL, etc. as water defeats that purpose. It would better simply not count it. Personally, I think the first thing anyone can do to help make them successful is to cut out sugar drinks, whether actually or artificially sweetened. It will give your kidneys a much needed rest, reduce your caloric intake and more importantly, in the case of artificial sweeteners help cleanse your palette of unrealistic sweet cravings. Let's be frank, how are real fruits and vegetables supposed to compete with artificial sweeteners?

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