What's your verdict on Crystal Light?

[li10up]

I've been trying to cut back on the caffeine-free diet soda that I've been drinking but now I'm finding that I'm even more dehydrated than before because I can't seem to drink enough water. I only like water when it's really, really cold and then usually only when I'm working out.

So, I've been thinking about Crystal Light. I like the taste and it will get me to drink more water...but is it a bad idea...kind of like drinking diet soda?

[rocknrollgirl]

I avoid artificial sweetners in all forms. Try the one made by Celestial Seasonings, called Zingers To Go, it is sweetened with stevia which is derived from an herb and all natural.

[Eden]

I'm a fan of NUUN, it keeps me from getting headaches (it contains electrolyes), doesn't have any carbs and is fairly light tasting. It does contain a small amount of sorbitol, which some people can be sensitive too (in large amounts it can act as a laxative :eek: ) , but sorbitol is a natural fruit sugar unlike asptertame (nutrasweet), which is a man made chemical.

[TexanCzexican]

I'm a fan of True Lemon, True Lime and True Orange (http://www.truelemon.com/)(hard to find)

It has no sweeteners or anything artificial and you can find it in the same section as Crystal Light.

That being said, I keep a box of Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade in my cupboard, sometimes I just want the artificialness:p

[kelownagirl]

I drink it. I like the iced tea. I'm not afraid of a little aspartame and I figure if it makes me drink more fluids it's a good thing. But that's just me... :)

[Zen]

Better living through chemistry. I love 7-11 Crystal Lite Slurpees.

[DarcyInOregon]

Hi li10up, it is right to be concerned about ingesting artificial sweeteners. There are a lot of doctors out there who do not want their patients to consume any of it because the chemicals are believed to remain in the liver. And there are other reasons.

When I get tired of drinking plain iced water and tea, I add a bit of fruit juice to my water. I take a tall drinking glass, fill it with ice cubes, add about 1/4 glass of cranberry or blueberry juice, then fill the remainder of the glass with cold water. Or you can add several tablespoons of lime and lemon juice to a glass of ice cubes and water. When the juice is diluted like this, it should not raise your blood sugar, and you will still get some of the nutritional benefits of the juice.

Darcy

[Veronica]

I too only like my water really cold. I freeze water in my Polar water bottle to take to work. The ice lasts most of the day in my classroom. The fake sugars give me a headache. My MIL uses them in her cooking and I had to ask her to stop.

At home I do what Darcy does - mix water and either lemonade or OJ. I tend to go about half and half though.

I do not mix my Red Bulls with anything though. :p

V.

[KnottedYet]

If diet sodas give you trouble, so will Crystal Lite. (it's also notorious for causing urinary incontinece, like other diet drinks)

What about dropping a teabag (herbal or whatever) into a bottle of water for flavor? I like to toss a peppermint bag into my water sometimes.

[Torrilin]

Every artificial sweetener I've tried gives me a rather nasty aftertaste. Very bitter, and it sticks around for a while. No other ill effects. Splenda and sorbitol are less awful than most, but they all taste bad enough that I won't have 'em willingly.

Yay for weird taste genetics.

I find a small amount of lemon or lime juice in plain water tastes sweet to me, particularly when dehydrated. So if I must have something and I'm avoiding sugar, I do that.

[kelownagirl]

I do not mix my Red Bulls with anything though. :p

V.

Oh V - have you never tried a Chambull? Red Bull and Champagne - yum!!

[Veronica]

I drink most of my Red Bulls while riding my bike... so no. I can't imagine mixing it into the champagne we drink. It's good stuff as it is. :D

V.

[kelownagirl]

Well it definitely wouldn't have been something I'd ever do but I was at an art show and they were serving them and my daughter convinced me to try one. What a surprise taste!

[Running Mommy]

I try to avoid artificial sweetners as much as I can.
Any of the "itols"- sorbitol, malitol, etc give me the big D:eek: even in small quantities. They also give me horrible crampy gas..:eek: - Sorry I know TMI, but I'm just sayin'...

And I can only tolerate a bit of spenda, otherwise it makes me sick.

My body just seems to reject the artificial stuff I guess??:confused:

Oh and Stevia- Dr. Oz (yeah I like him, but I don't take anyones word as gods) say's that it may cause sterility in men. Don't know if it's true, I'm just sayin'... And I guess WE don't need to worry about that, but I dunno, I just think I'll pass.
If I need a little sweet I use agave nectar. Super sweet punch in just a small amount.
As for your water, try adding orange, lemon, or lime slices. Mint works well too.
I'm a big water drinker, so sometimes I add a slice of orange to spice things up. I also drink a ton of fresh brewed iced green tea. YUMMERS!

[7rider]

I'm a fan of True Lemon, True Lime and True Orange (http://www.truelemon.com/)(hard to find)

It has no sweeteners or anything artificial and you can find it in the same section as Crystal Light.


I never heard of this stuff until yesterday.
I saw it in the sunday coupons, thought, "Hmmmm, this might be interesting."
Then, found the orange in the "discontinued items - 50% off" shelf a the local grocery. Got the package for $0.64 with my coupon! For that, I figure I can toss it if I don't like it. But it might be tasty enough to encourage me to drink my otherwise preferred plain, room temp. water (sensitive teeth...don't care for cold).

[li10up]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I should have mentioned I'm pretty lazy when it comes to food. I know me and I won't lug around lemon and/or lime juice, etc. I like it quick and simple...open a packet of Crystal Light, pour it into a bottle of water, shake and drink. I work around computer equipment so big glasses of water, etc. make me nervous. I'm afraid it will get spilled on the equipment. Small opening containers are for me.

So, I guess I should have asked...Is Crystal Light better for me than the caffeine-free diet soda I've been drinking for years? I'm hoping it's a somewhat better alternative to the carbination.

[KnottedYet]

open a packet of tea, drop the teabag into the bottle, shake and drink.

I'd be more concerned about the artificial sweetners than about the carbonation. Especially if that's your main source of fluid.

Are you buying bottles of water at work?

[TexanCzexican]

I like it quick and simple...open a packet of Crystal Light, pour it into a bottle of water, shake and drink.

Back to my pushing True Lime products, they come in basically the same containers/form as Crystal Light:)

[csr1210]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I should have mentioned I'm pretty lazy when it comes to food. I know me and I won't lug around lemon and/or lime juice, etc. I like it quick and simple...open a packet of Crystal Light, pour it into a bottle of water, shake and drink. I work around computer equipment so big glasses of water, etc. make me nervous. I'm afraid it will get spilled on the equipment. Small opening containers are for me.

So, I guess I should have asked...Is Crystal Light better for me than the caffeine-free diet soda I've been drinking for years? I'm hoping it's a somewhat better alternative to the carbination.

To answer that last question, I would say a definite YES. It may not be the BEST option, but crystal light at least has less (to none depending on flavor) caffeine, and it can be diluted so that you are getting less sweetner if that is a concern. Water is better, but I do think that crystal light is better than most sodas.

HTH,
Christy

[Pedal Wench]

I use the little single-serve packages too, but dilute them. I use one in a 1-liter water bottle (Zefal or Elite make one-litre bottles that fit in bottle cages) and one package, so it's about half-strength. Like you, I don't tend to drink plain water, so this helps me get something into the system. In cooler weather, I drink unsweetened decaf green tea.

[li10up]

open a packet of tea, drop the teabag into the bottle, shake and drink.

I'd be more concerned about the artificial sweetners than about the carbonation. Especially if that's your main source of fluid.

Are you buying bottles of water at work?

Yes, I have two standard Ozarka water bottles (small opening) that I refill with water. I'm trying to work on staying better hydrated and know that soda, even diet soda, isn't a good choice. But given that I don't really like water I was thinking the Crystal Light would be a good choice.

A tea bag would not fit into the water bottle...guess I could use a bike water bottle. But I like that the Ozarka bottle will fit into my kozzie to keep it cold. I haven't seen the True Lime products but haven't looked for them yet. I'll keep an eye out.

[Zen]

I learned in college that the phosphorus in carbonation changes blood chemistry and calcium is taken from bones (the calcium 'bank') to balance it.

As it turns out, that's only partially true. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (September 2001) looked at the question of whether carbonated beverages increase urinary excretion of calcium. If so, this effect might provide a plausible link between consumption of carbonated beverages and an increased risk of fractures.
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Researchers from the Osteoporosis Research Center at Creighton University found that excess urinary excretion of calcium occurred only when the carbonated beverages consumed contained caffeine. At least one earlier study had suggested that caffeine consumption can have a deleterious effect on bone health if not counteracted by sufficient calcium. The Creighton researchers found that the caffeine effect they saw was balanced by less excretion of calcium later in the day so that the net result was only a negligible loss of calcium. This led them to conclude that any effect on bone associated with carbonated drinks would stem from lowered calcium intake due to displacement of milk as a beverage. Incidentally, this study was sponsored by the dairy industry, which would have had an interest in the opposite result.

I wouldn't worry about the carbonation in sodas. My concerns about consumption of soft drinks focus more on the unhealthy amounts of sugar, artificial sweeteners and caffeine they contain. The carbonation itself is not a problem, and Perrier and other carbonated mineral waters are perfectly safe.

credit to http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QA/QA157077/

[onimity]

What about carrying a lemon or lime with you and squeezing it into your water? That's as easy as carrying crystal light, no? Or maybe drink a naturally flavored sparkling water instead of soda?

I avoid artificial sweeteners, personally. I like to know what I'm putting into my body...

Anne

[solobiker]

I am not a big fan of them either. Granted I used to drink a lot of diet sodas and low sugar juices, but lately I have cut way back on my consumption of those products and I seem to feel better. What I noticed when I was drinking them sometimes I felt more thirsty then if I was drinking just plain water. I now drink about 64oz of water a day and then a small glass of juice if I want something with flavor.

[surgtech1956]

Never liked Crystal Light, tried it several times. I don't care for the taste of the artificial sweeteners. I heard about artifical sweeteners causing urinary incontinence. I was never a water drinker until a bad UTI this spring. That started me drinking water. I like my water really cold too. I buy bottled water and freeze them. At work I just drink regular tap water with lots of ice and a squeeze of lemon. (I need to do this at home, would save $$$). When I get tired to drinking water, I like Propel.

[latelatebloomer]

Can anyone pm me with links or info about Crystal Lite or other diet beverages causing incontinence? Incontinence is a big issue at the Brain injury rehab where I work, AND, CL is the beverage offered throughout the day (there is a cooler of spring water too, but CL is a lot more popular.) Personally, I don't like the idea of pumping more artificial ingredients into bodies/brains that are already so traumatized and usually on a number of meds, too. But hey, I only have an art degree, and the doctors, nurses, and nutritionist seem to think it's okey-dokey.:( (sorry for the hijack)

[KnottedYet]

I sent you a PM with some links.

I am quite surprised that a neuro rehab facility is giving patients artificial sweeteners, considering all the neuro side effects they cause! (let alone the urinary and fecal incontinence)

hee hee, do you watch "House?" did you see the episode where he diagnosed someone's fecal incontinence and chronic diarrhea as being caused by the sugarfree gum he was chewing? (character was a former smoker)

[DDH]

I use these all the time. Like you unless my water is really cold I don't like to drink it unless it has some flavor. Try them if you don't mind the artificial sweetners.

I like the green tea and rasberry the best. I drink them to keep hydrated throughout the day, but when riding the bike I take plain old ice water. I just make sure I freeze half the bottle before I leave.

[surgtech1956]

If you don't want to carry a lemon or lime, you could buy a bottle of Real Lemon or the lemon juice that in the plastic lemon squeeze bottle. If you like the Crystal Light and it's convenient for you, drink it, unless you find something else. Convenience is important.

[Tuckervill]

I can't prove it, but I think Diet Coke made me fat. It could be the artificial sweetener or it could be the attitude of not eating things that are whole foods. It boils down for me that Diet Coke made me fat. I don't drink it anymore.
I never drank Crystal Light, anyway.

Karen

[limewave]

I was told by my doctor to add Crystal light to my surgery prep drink -- Go Litely. Yeah Right. I can't even look at the stuff anymore without getting sick.

My rule of thumb is to stay away from artificial sweetners as much as possible. Our bodies are meant to digest things that aren't real.

[smilingcat]

Someon here said "I'm not afraid of aspartame."

Well, I hink you might want to read both side of the issue. Check on Wiki and google.

Some web site backed by the industry claims totally safe.

Holistic people have a aspartame warning pages and claims that it is very dangerous. It's approved here in US but in some countries, I think it is banned.

I take a simple approach. human beings have been around for hundreds of thousands of years and we evolved over millions of years from other creatures, now extinct. Along the way our bodies were exposed to all the natural elements and we survived because our bodies learned how to deal with them. Aspartame, Saccarin (sp) and all the other un-prunounceable chemical names are artificial. Our bodies never saw them until about 100 years ago. Our bodies are going, "hey whats this? what do I do with them?" And god knows what our bodies do to these chemicals? Can the scientists really tell us what our bodies are doing with all this artificial stuff? I don't think they do. "hey John, the rab rat is still alive today. Must be safe and tastes pretty darn good. Lets put it in the food"

see how twinkie is made and from what. Saw it once and scary. A true Franken food.

smilingcat

[Flybye]

I have had so many problems with artificial sweeteners.

Here are a list of the problems that I have when I have a diet pop or crystal light once a day for a week or so. It takes a bit to notice the problems, as if the sweeteners build up for awhile before wreaking havoc:

tiredness - not the kind of tiredness that you can take a nap and feel better, either, almost like the tiredness from being pregnant the first 3 months
fogginess- can't seem to get words out, am not as sharp with things, some memory recall problems
achy - my joints in my shoulders hurt, as do my neck muscles and my shoulder muscles
stomach ache - lower stomach, like I am making WAAyYY too much acid.
gas - evacuate the building, evacuate the building!!!! I can hear my stomach rumble, comes out of both the attic and the basement.....:o
irritable - most likely the combination of not feeling well + caffiene
headache - on the sides of my head, near my temples

I know for certain that aspartamine and splenda are the causes of these problems because within a day or two of quitting drinking pop or crystal light or using things like yogurt, pudding, etc. with either of those ingredients in them, I feel much better.

I checked out the FDA site b/c I wanted to give these sweeteners the benefit of the doubt, but after reading their approved studies, I googled "health problems and ______ (sweetener name)" Man, did I get an education! Sometimes testimonials speak louder than research studies.

I still have the occasional diet pop because I am not a rock solid, make no mistakes-kind of person and every once in awhile, I just want some caffeine and some popcorn w/o consuming a bazillion calories. I generally regret the slip-up!

So, where am I going with this? Just saying STAY AWAY FROM THE CR@P AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, was that too subtle?:D

I found this soda that uses stevia . It is pretty good tasting.
http://www.zorange.com/index.html

Easier than shaking a packet of crystal light into some water, way easier than feeling like sh!t all of the time.

My $.02 :) :) :)