One of my son’s friends came to my office the other day after working out at the gym. She was complaining of getting headaches after her spin class, and she asked for some advice.
She was ready to stop the classes because her headaches only occurred after exercising.
She was sipping on a bottle of flavored water.
I asked to see the bottle, and questioned why she was drinking this particular water as opposed to drinking pure spring water. She confessed that she has a hard time drinking water every day, and the flavored water tastes better to her.
Plus, she added, the advertisements show fitness experts recommending flavored water when working out because other vitamin waters have more calories.
She said she would have to do 15 more minutes on the stationary bike to burn those extra calories.
We Are Misinformed
If you are in a fitness program, don’t drink a chemical fake water product as opposed to pure spring water. If you are trying to stay fit, water with no artificial chemicals, no food colorings and NO corn syrup is the better choice – water, just plain water.
As I have written many times, “advertisers aren’t nutritionists.” Advertisers’ goals are to make money off you – YOU must use your common sense to avoid the gimmicks that can make you sick.
Especially when at the gym.
Flavored Water Ingredients
I grabbed the water bottle from her hand and read her the ingredients:
“Propel Fitness Water® – Lemon Flavor
16.9oz – 2 servings per bottle
16 calories per 8 fl oz – 25 calories per bottle
Fat 0
Sodium 35 mg, 70 mg
Total Carb 3g, 6 g
Sugars 2g, 4g
Protein 0
Vitamin C 10%, 25%
Vitamin E 10%, 25%
Niacin 25%, 50%
Vitamin B6 25%, 50%
Vitamin B12 4%, 10%
Pantothenic Acid 25%, 50%
Ingredients: Water, sucrose from corn syrup, natural lemon flavor with other natural flavors, citric acid, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sucralose, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E acetate, niacinamide (vitamin B3), calcium disodium EDTA (protects freshness), calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5) pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), acesulfame potassium, vitamin B12.
Flavored water is advertised as hydrating and nourishing your “active” body with a splash of fruit flavor and essential vitamins. It claims to contain antioxidant vitamins C and E, along with B vitamins, which aid in energy metabolism as part of a daily diet. But …
This “fitness water” contains sugar from high fructose corn syrup, MSG (natural flavors), and two artificial chemical sugar substitutes – sucralose (found in Splenda) and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
This isn’t healthy; it’s just more chemicals in a water bottle.
No wonder she gets a headache after a strenuous workout. Her body needs WATER to rehydrate – natural, pure water. NOT chemical water.
Pure Water Ingredients
Here is the ingredient list on the glass bottle of pure spring water I happen to be drinking at this very moment:
Pure Mt. Valley Spring Water
Hot Springs National Park, AK
8 oz. – About 2 servings per container
0 calories
Fat 0
Sodium 0 mg
Total Carb 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 0 g
Calcium 2%
Ingredients: pure spring water
Now which of these two waters has fewer calories, which is pure and natural, and which one is better for your health when you workout? My spring water.
Ask yourself why you can’t be satisfied drinking pure water – water is what your body is made of and survives on. Pure spring water is what all animals drink daily to stay alive.
Why do you feel you need a chemical water to be healthy and happy?
Many Natural Choices
If you crave flavor in your water, you have many natural choices. You can add lemon, lime, or concentrated cranberry juice to your water. You can add a drop of essential oils.
Here’s a tip we do at The Hullistic Network: add liquid peppermint flavored chlorophyll to bottled water. Chlorophyll is not only healthy for you, but the peppermint flavor tastes refreshing and leaves your breath smelling great. And chlorophyll balances body weight and your pH balance, is loaded in natural minerals and phytonutrients, and supports healthy blood.
Calories: 0. Artificial colors and flavorings: none.
Chemical sweeteners: 0, nada, zippo, ningunos, neun.
Beware of flavored waters; choose health and fitness over taste. Make the healthy choice.
