Crystal Light

PrincessSaraMarie88

Does anyone drink Crystal Light and include that in their water count?
I know you still have to count the calories, but generally your "water intake" is supposed to be water in its natural form...no additives. I have been drinking close to, if not, a gallon of water a day. I need a little variation without all the calories and sugar of juice. Help?

geicko

I do count it as water !

I just can seem to drink over 40 oz of plain water a day, but I drink an extra 40 in no time if it's flavored.

bwilton77

I do however I drink the walmart version that has no calories but lots of flavor.

tobethinagain

Yes. I just make sure I watch the salt it contains.

mwalt1234

yes, i count that, but i also buy the walmart version, and with the new packaging, now contains a slight calorie intake that was not there before, so make sure you add those calories in as well.

PrincessSaraMarie88

yes, i count that, but i also buy the walmart version, and with the new packaging, now contains a slight calorie intake that was not there before, so make sure you add those calories in as well.

Thanks...I will be on the look out!

haileyco

Crystal Light is sugar and calorie free.....that's what makes it so great. I do count it as my water, but no more than 24 oz/day, that's usually the amt of water I mix it in.

bby_baer

Crystal light has artificial sweeteners in it that is very unhealthy for you. I would suggest adding a little bit of lemon or lime juice to your water for a little bit of flavor. If it's too sour for you, put a little less juice in the water, and/or put a little bit of Stevia in it to sweeten it up a little. Tastes like lemonade/limeade. Stevia can be found in most grocery stores by the natural/organic foods. It is much sweeter than sugar, so you only need a tiny bit...1/4 tsp is equivalent to a whole tsp of sugar. It is a natural sweetener without any kinds of artificial sweeteners in it, it comes from the leaf of a Stevia plant. It is actually beneficial to you because 2 tsp of Stevia has the same amount of fiber as 1 bowl of cereal, among other benefits that are listed on the label. There are no calories, fat, cholesterol, or sodium, and only 1 gram of carbs.
BTW...lemon and lime juice also help get your metabolism going too!

tmgray08

I also like the Special K Protein Water. It has 30 calories, but 5g of protein which is good if you are working out. I don't like drinking plain water, so I definitely count it as my water total.

sara_f

I drink ALOT of crystal light every day and I count it as water and I dont count it in calories, it is calorie and sugar free!!! ( .7 is not enough to count) I think it is more important to take in crystal light than no water at all....I HATE water and WONT drink it.

Artificial sweetner is in everything now days, It is NOT that bad for you....Diabetics use it in place of sugar.....I have NEVER had or heard of major health problems due to it! And I think many of us using this site have been taking in far worse than artificial sweetners so I think the change from the real thing to artificial is a good step and expecially if we are cutting out alot of the CRAP we used to eat!!!

So I say quit with the "its not good for you" crap.........its better than what we were eating and if we made the change then GOOD FOR US!!! Being obese is far worse than artificial sugar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

amanda0328

I was wondering the same thing. I haven't been adding it to anything. I don't like flavor water, but I've been tired around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and needed something to boost my energy up. Someone recommended to me recently Crystal Light the Energy Drink Mix flavor Wild Strawberry. I bought Great Value because it is cheaper and looking at the nutrition facts it has 5 calories. This energy drink is giving me a boost of energy, so definitely recommend it if you are fatigue or tired. Since it seems as though most people are counting it, I think I will start doing that.

Shannonigans84

I drink it and count it. I'm not worried about the health concerns of artificial sweeteners though, if I had to be cautious about everything that could harm me I'd probably be living in a bubble. I do use Stevia instead of sugar though.

Jennyson

I use it, love it, and count it!

sara_f

I drink it and count it. I'm not worried about the health concerns of artificial sweeteners though, if I had to be cautious about everything that could harm me I'd probably be living in a bubble. I do use Stevia instead of sugar though.

Amen!!!! I second that! I hate hearing how its not good for you!!! LOL

kellygirl5538

I don't drink it anymore ..........5 calories per serving adds up fast!

PrincessSaraMarie88

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Artificial sweetener doesn't scare me! lol :happy: I have consumed A LOT worse.

I am going to start drinking it again, and counting it. I need a little variation, and it sure is better than a Diet Coke...I am sure!

kandyjo

I count it as water intake also.

jenng38

mmmmm i LOVE crystal light my favorite is the raspberry green tea. and those single serving packets for bottled water are only 10 calories per packet. I have 2 per day and the rest of the time I drink water.

jenng38

hey princes sara...you are right crystal light is totally better than a diet coke. the carbonation is terrible for the urinary tract and the phosphoric acid rots your teeth enamel! trust me I know I was a terrible diet coke fiend! have a good day!

bby_baer

In Response To Sara_f...

YES ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS ARE EXTREMELY UNHEALTHY FOR YOU!!! I don't know where you get your info from, but you are not putting the correct info out there by saying it is actually healthy for you. It is like putting poison in your body and they ARE known to contribute to many health issues. Yes, they are in many things now days, but that DOES NOT mean they are healthy for you. High fructose corn syrup is in almost everything and is extremely unhealthy for you as well. Take cigarettes for example, just because they are available to purchase in the stores does not mean they are good for you. That is an extreme example in comparison to foods, but none the less, it is an example. Yes, most of us using this great site have obviously taken in many things that are not good for us, either wise we wouldn't need the help to lose the extra weight we have packed on. However, this site is here for us for many helpful reasons, one of them being to share healthy/helpful tips and pointers...which is what I was trying to do by posting my previous comment. You are entitled to your opinion, but keep it just as that! Don't sit there and try to tell people misinformation that you clearly have absolutely nothing to back it up! Of course cutting out sugar is one way to lose weight and get healthy, but that does not mean you should replace it with another unhealthy product. There are many HEALTHY ways to cut out sugar and other unhealthy foods in your diet without having to resort to unhealthy things such as artificial sweeteners that many mistake as 'healthy' just because it's lower in calories. A prime example of a healthy choice/change in your diet is substituting sugar with STEVIA PLUS which has no calories at all and includes many other benefits for you, which I also previously stated. You are right about one thing, all of us who are putting forth the effort in reaching each of our personal goals every day should be very proud of ourselves no matter what. I'm just saying there are some ways to do so that are healthier and better for you than others. Think about it...putting something natural...FROM NATURE...into your body...OR, something made by man...ARTIFICIAL?!?!? Makes A LOT of sense to me!!

BTW: I DO know what I am talking about AND have the knowledge to back it up! My mother has a degree in Naturopathy-which is the study of natural health.

Go to mercola.com...do a search on Nutra-Sweet and Splenda...there you will find many interesting facts and results of studies done on artificial sweeteners. Maybe then you can come to the realization that you DON'T know what you were talking about and that indeed the information you were trying to relay to fellow MFP participants WAS an uneducated speculation.

Dr. Mercola nutra sweet and splenda

oohitsmalinda

I respectfully would like to say that the website you have provided is trying to sell products. It may not be the best source for information. I looked at the National Cancer institute website and the FDA website. The FDA regulates artificial sweeteners. The National Cancer Institute has also said that they have no evidence of cancer being caused by artificial sweeteners.

Lynnlin

I LOVE CRYSTAL LIGHT!! I count it as my water, cause that is the only way I can drink water and not choke on it, literally! The Wild Strawberry is my kind! I love, love, love it! Here is what I think about Crystal Light, I used to drink Mountain dew A LOT! I quit it now going on one year and 3 1/2 months. *yay to me!* Pepsi was starting to be the next bad thing for me. I drank today a 12 oz pepsi (can) and that had like 120 calories in it....I think around there! Having Crystal Light, at only 10 CALORIES for each 25 oz bottle of water I use it in....yeah..I can drink 30 calories worth of Crystal Light a day, then drink 360 Calories of pop....

So there you have it! If I didn't have my Crystal Light, I would go insane! :P

bby_baer

Actually, that site does have a pop-up trying to sell a product, but the site itself is not. The information provided does have a lot of substance to it. That is just one of the sites that was given to me by my mother that is used as a reference for those in natural health. There are many things out there that is said to be safe and has 'no evidence' of this or that. There have been studies done that have shown differently, that back up the information I gave. Like I said, believe what you want, do what you want with the information I gave and/or the info provided on that site or any similar sites. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and in my opinion, the things that I have learned about on various topics related to natural health has much truth behind it and makes a lot of sense. Whether you (meaning anyone reading this) decide that there is truth behind this topic, or think it's bogus, it is a fact that 'natural' is always better/healthier for you than anything synthetic.
Here's a question...if there is no evidence of artificial sweeteners causing cancer, why do some things that have nutra-sweet in them have warnings on them that say "may cause cancer"? Look at a pack of Carefree gum...

PrincessSaraMarie88

With all do respect to everyone, I posted this to get peoples personal opinions and to learn about others diet practices regarding "Crystal Light". I do not appreciate some of the things that have been posted and it really frustrates me. We are all here with a few different common goals....1)Loose Weight 2)Maintain a Particular Weight (be healthy). I think motivation is a key to the success and many choose to be a part of MFP not only because it is free or has great resources, but because it presents a certain level of comfort to not have to face people when we are not at the most confident place in our lives.

I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and I believe there is a RESPECTFUL way to offer a difference in opinion.

I must say that ANYTHING can be posted to the internet. A lot of websites try to persuade you to believe their "theory" on a particular topic by throwing statistics at you. Ask yourself: What is the basis for their numbers? Do they provide the study? How many people are surveyed or observed? What are the variables?

Websites, magazines, and books all focus on the "Target Audience"...what sells.

I am done with my rant! I leave saying this...read what you write twice before posting and think how you would perceive it if you were on the opposite side.

Prayers for much success to all...

Sara
"Give Peace A Chance"

bby_baer

I completely agree with everything you said PrincessSara...I believe I was respectful by stating that everyone is entitled to their opinion while still stating what I believe in. I responded as I did after my initial post only because I was upset with the comments Sara_f made. The manner in which she stated her opinion is what irritated me. She could have stated her opinion in a much more tactful way. My initial comments to you were only given to try and help. Regardless of whether or not you think there may be some truth in what I said about artificial sweeteners, I still recommend the Stevia Plus as a sugar alternative when possible as there is absolutely zero controversy as to whether or not it is safe. Please keep in mind that there are misleading resources on both sides of the story. Just because the FDA and/or medical field say something is safe or what protocol should be for certain things, does not necessarily mean they are right. They do not know everything either and have been known to pass something off as okay to make a buck or two as well. I am fully aware of the fact that this is true of both sides too.
This is one of many controversies pertaining to natural health. I knew there was the potential for dispute, but did not expect anyone to be rude when doing so.

Questfor250

I use 4c Flavor to Go. They have several flavors but my preference is Fruit Punch followed by Lemonade. Each with zero calories. It has helped me get my gallon of water in each day. I go about 50/50 drink mix /straight water.

no_worries

I drink that stuff too on occasion, I have the little packets so I can just dump it in my water quickly. You have to be careful, because it says 5 cals per serving but there are two servings in the on- the-go packets. Looking at the box, it says serving size is 1/2 a packet, tricky!

sara_f

Sorry I ruined your day.....Didnt mean to be so rude (? if I was) Just find it hard to believe that you have only eaten all natural organic foods and never consumed anything un natural. If you feel that strongly about it, then you must only eat organic. I am sure that most of what we eat has artificial something in it!! Never had a drink of alcohol?Because its so much worse than artificial sugar!! you sound like you work for the Stevia company or something! LOL

I just thought I would put my last thought on the topic out there being that I apparently stirred something up, I will in the future try not to be so rude!!

Honey7o2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame

Shannonigans84

sara_f you were not rude at all. Some people choose to live their lives being extra cautious about what they consume. Those that choose not to be so particular should not be chastised. It's simply not realistic to avoid all things bad for you. You have to pick and choose your battles. I feel good about my choices and that's all that matters. Don't apologize for being realistic.

robinreed10

I LOVE crystal lite!!! I recently started using the raspberry peach flavor because it has added fiber!!! MAjor plus! Something else I do...but it has more calories is heavily dilute 100% fruit juice! I too enjoy diet sodas and try to avoid them...sometimes when I want one I mix a little fruit juice with club soda and a spritz of lime!!! Its very good