Crystal Light

leighkbayles
leighkbayles Posts: 40 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Is Crystal Light bad for you? I have been substituting it for soda for a little bit. If it's fine for you, are you getting the same benefits from it as you are water? It is just water with a little powder in it, so I'm just curious if I should be drinking water separately from the Crystal Light. Does that make sense?

Thanks for any answers. :)

Leigh
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Replies

  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    No, it's fine. I usually supplement my water with MIO+ or something every day.

    Actually, soda isn't "bad" for you either if enjoyed in moderation.
  • leighkbayles
    leighkbayles Posts: 40 Member
    That's my problem with soda, though. If I drink one, it's over. There will be at least four more after the initial one. :P

    Thanks for your reply! :)

    Leigh
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Is Crystal Light bad for you? I have been substituting it for soda for a little bit. If it's fine for you, are you getting the same benefits from it as you are water? It is just water with a little powder in it, so I'm just curious if I should be drinking water separately from the Crystal Light. Does that make sense?

    Thanks for any answers. :)

    Leigh

    It's mostly water....so it counts as water. Not much of an improvement over soda though....same fake sugar. It has too much citric acid for me. I still have 1 diet soda every day.

    Have you tried dressing plain water up with mint leaves, or ginger slices, or a few mashed berries? I find I drink more water if I put a Brita filter pitcher in the fridge...so good cold.
  • mnwalkingqueen
    mnwalkingqueen Posts: 1,299 Member
    I use Crystal Light all the time. Recently, I have switched to Lipton Green tea and honey on the go packages. Not sure if any better but the taste is way better. I also only use 1 to go pack in 60oz of water so mine is way more diluted than packaging suggests.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    I have to say, when it comes to low-cal, summertime drinking, crystal light makes an excellent mixer for vodka!
  • GregJourney
    GregJourney Posts: 80 Member
    Take baby steps. I am sure it isn't ideal for you to use the crystal light with the artificial sweeteners and god knows how many more chemicals but if they help you kick soda it is a step in the right direction, as time goes just mix in more and more pure water. You can also try water infused with fruit or mint leaves.
  • allisonbmerten
    allisonbmerten Posts: 11 Member
    Crystal Light contains artificial sweeteners, which aren't great for you. If you're replacing 1-2 glasses of water with it, it's probably fine. I wouldn't replace all your water with it, though. Have you tried flavored seltzer water? It doesn't have the super sweetness you get from CL, but it does have good flavor.
  • tmm_0127
    tmm_0127 Posts: 545 Member
    I have to say, when it comes to low-cal, summertime drinking, crystal light makes an excellent mixer for vodka!

    ^ yes ^

    My aunt likes to make Sea Breeze with it instead of juice to keep the calories and sugars down. xD
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Is Crystal Light bad for you? I have been substituting it for soda for a little bit. If it's fine for you, are you getting the same benefits from it as you are water? It is just water with a little powder in it, so I'm just curious if I should be drinking water separately from the Crystal Light. Does that make sense?

    Thanks for any answers. :)

    Leigh

    I've heard that 100% of Crystal Light drinkers die eventually, something to consider
  • ElectricDame
    ElectricDame Posts: 43
    If you are looking for sweet + carbonation + zero cals, try drinking sparking mineral water (seltzer water) with lime and splenda. It's my favorite.
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    I like to mix a lemonade crystal light (or, I get the store brand) into hot water and add a little cinnamon. Helps to warm me up on a cold day, and we've had many of them this year.
  • leighkbayles
    leighkbayles Posts: 40 Member
    Agc67...funny. I like you.
  • leighkbayles
    leighkbayles Posts: 40 Member
    Pearsquared, I love your Pikachu progress meter! :)
  • janet0513
    janet0513 Posts: 564 Member
    Take baby steps. I am sure it isn't ideal for you to use the crystal light with the artificial sweeteners and god knows how many more chemicals but if they help you kick soda it is a step in the right direction, as time goes just mix in more and more pure water. You can also try water infused with fruit or mint leaves.



    ^^^^this
  • Iknowsaur
    Iknowsaur Posts: 777 Member
    I was using vitamin water (slightly less chemical-y) to replace soda. I'm having a gastric sleeve done in may and won't be able to have soda.

    But Vitamin Water is also costing us like 60 dollars a week, so I too am switching to crystal light :P
  • mschicagocubs
    mschicagocubs Posts: 774 Member
    I have to say, when it comes to low-cal, summertime drinking, crystal light makes an excellent mixer for vodka!

    YES!!!!

    I am hoping Chicago gets its crap together so I can start enjoying one of these outside!!
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    I'm a soda addict (Coke Zero), but am replacing soda with sparkling water + a little 100% cranberry juice. 15 calories per ounce, and it only takes about 2 ounces to nicely flavor 20 ounces of water.
  • MarisaShickel
    MarisaShickel Posts: 31 Member
    I used to be obsessed with Crystal Light and Mio. I know it sounds strange to some, but I hate the way water tastes (ok haters, go ahead..."Water doesn't taste like anything!" :laugh: ).

    But then I started to pay more attention to what I was putting into my body and I realized that all of those water enhancers have artificial sugars in them. I quit drinking them entirely.

    Instead I put a lemon wedge in my water! It's so refreshing! I've also done orange and raspberry, but lemon is my favorite.

    Like others suggested, flavored seltzer is a good option too. They've come up with some really great flavors lately. Just make sure you watch out for artificial sweeteners in there too.

    However, it's a matter of personal preference. If you like Crystal Light and don't care about the artificial sugars then drink it. Anything that gets you to drink more water! Good luck!
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    Is Crystal Light bad for you? I have been substituting it for soda for a little bit. If it's fine for you, are you getting the same benefits from it as you are water? It is just water with a little powder in it, so I'm just curious if I should be drinking water separately from the Crystal Light. Does that make sense?

    Thanks for any answers. :)

    Leigh

    I've heard that 100% of Crystal Light drinkers die eventually, something to consider
    QFT! :explode:
  • Zaftique
    Zaftique Posts: 599 Member
    Take baby steps. I am sure it isn't ideal for you to use the crystal light with the artificial sweeteners and god knows how many more chemicals but if they help you kick soda it is a step in the right direction, as time goes just mix in more and more pure water. You can also try water infused with fruit or mint leaves.



    ^^^^this
    Cucumber slices and a sprig of mint = perfect summertime sippin', and I *hate* water. ;)

    (Seriously, I hate water.. I wish I could at least like tea, but it's a wonderful-smelling lie, LIE I TELL YOU.)
  • StefanieECAC
    StefanieECAC Posts: 1
    I drink the Crystal Light Iced Tea like it's going out of style - LOL
    It meets my water intake and taste great!
  • scubasuenc
    scubasuenc Posts: 626 Member
    I use crystal light all the time, but dilute it. I make it according to the instructions, then when I fill my glass it is half Crystal Light and half water. I count it in my liquid totals for the day.
  • Zaftique
    Zaftique Posts: 599 Member
    I used to be obsessed with Crystal Light and Mio. I know it sounds strange to some, but I hate the way water tastes (ok haters, go ahead..."Water doesn't taste like anything!" :laugh: ).

    /fistbump

    Water does so have taste. Blecch. I can deal with distilled water, but anything out of the tap is disgusting, and even Brita tastes metallic and funky.

    I'm trying hard to find ways water doesn't suck, so the next time I get admitted to the ER for dehydration (unrelated), it doesn't take 3 liters of saline to get me back up to par. ;)
  • cariorliz
    cariorliz Posts: 26 Member
    Tequila works well too....I am a big water drinker...I also add to a pitcher of water cucumbers or lemons...it's refreshing...
  • catsandtats
    catsandtats Posts: 29 Member
    I think whether or not it's bad for you depends on how you feel about the debates about the healthfulness of the artificial sweeteners used in them.

    I used to keep a pitcher (a PITCHER I tell you!) of the pink stuff in my fridge years ago. I used Crystal Light to curb my cravings for something sweet to drink. It was my personal experience that having more Crystal Light actually made me want more Crystal Light...and wanting more Crystal Light actually made me want more sweet things that had a lot more calories than Crystal Light. So, I just cut it out entirely at one point as part of an overall attempt to wrangle in my runaway sweet tooth.
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
    Is Crystal Light bad for you? I have been substituting it for soda for a little bit. If it's fine for you, are you getting the same benefits from it as you are water? It is just water with a little powder in it, so I'm just curious if I should be drinking water separately from the Crystal Light. Does that make sense?

    Thanks for any answers. :)

    Leigh

    I have worked for the last 35 years in Humanitarian Aid for various international organizations. We suggest for people to ingest any kind of zero-calorie or low calorie drink to promote health. Water and tea are the most drunk beverages worldwide for general hydration; after that it's all the rest. This does not include alcoholic beverages and no soft drinks...not even low cal. Luckily outside of the US and Mexico that is not a major problem.
    Since we have no potable water here and I don't want to buy into the expensive bottled water fad ( bottled water here is way more expensive than for example Coke ) I boil my water. It does have an unpleasant taste and I add a little bit of Lime Crystal Light, especially to water I drink to take medicines. Apart from that I drink tea, coffee in the morning and that's it. I have no problems with the sweetener and is has not hampered my weight loss. Other people's mileage might vary.
  • bluesky248
    bluesky248 Posts: 18 Member
    Funny, I just found some crystal lite packages in the drawer and was drinking some with my water when I logged on.

    I was a "diet coke" freak before and quit cold turkey last year...omg..what a headache! anyway, I try to steer clear of the artificial sweetners just because...I personally don't think they are good for you but once in a while is ok for me. I find it a refreshing change from my boring water today and a bit of a "sweet" kick is nice for a change. Like everything else in life, moderation is usually the key.

    good luck on your journey!
  • donnat238
    donnat238 Posts: 309 Member
    I add (1) packet of Crystal Light to 32 oz of water - otherwise it tastes too sweet to me. I also add lemon juice to my water.
  • monstergirl14
    monstergirl14 Posts: 345 Member
    Hey! I use those Crystal Light squirt bottles, put a little bit in my water. I feel it's the same thing as physically drinking water, it's just a little flavor spike. The artificial sweetner has some long term effects, but honestly, it tastes good, and once a day can't hurt too much. I'll find out later in life, I suppose.
  • Obscuring
    Obscuring Posts: 51 Member
    Water with fruit! I thought it sounded gross until I tried it. I just put some of the frozen berries I have in water and it makes it slightly sweet and very refreshing! Since they are frozen my water stays cool for longer also! It's a good alternative if you have tried lemons and cucumber water and they have gotten boring! ;3

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