What's your verdict on Crystal Light?

[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