Pick the Healthiest Water

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

02 Apr 2008 07:47 AM

I'm a fan of flavored water. What can I say? I like drinks with flavor. Plain old water is okay once in a while, but I'm far more likely to get my eight glasses a day if they actually taste like something.

But not all flavored waters are created equal. Here are some tips to help you pick the best water -- and stay away from the stuff that isn't as good for you.

1. Watch the sweeteners. Check the label for sugars, whether natural or artificial. Sweeteners play a big role in calorie count -- and how many calories do you really want to spend on water?
2. Watch the flavors, colors, and preservatives. Water is supposed to be natural and healthy; loading yourself up with artificial junk is definitely not either one! If the ingredients are things you don't recognize, move on to the next flavored water.
3. Be suspicious of health claims -- especially with waters that claim to boost energy. They could be loaded with caffeine you aren't expecting. Do a little research if you're looking for a water to help you with a particular thing like mood, metabolism, or energy level.
4. Count all your vitamins and minerals. If you already take a daily multivitamin, don't overdose yourself with vitamin and mineral laden water. Overdoing it on vitamins and minerals can be detrimental to your system.

Want to steer clear of commercially prepared flavored waters? You can make your own healthy flavored water at home and know EXACTLY what's inside. Try adding a wedge of your favorite citrus fruit to a bottle of water, or cool your drinks with cubes made from frozen pureed fruit. Experiment with your favorite dried spices, or add fresh herbs like ginger, mint, or lemongrass. I like to add a few drops of lemon juice to my bottled water -- it gives a hint of flavor that makes plain water a lot more appealing.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

deedee1231 (4030) 02 Apr 2008 09:17 AM

What about those little flavored packets that you add to your water bottle to make lemonade or tea? I know it isn't exactly the same as drinking water, but they are at least low calorie. I think the last box I purchased was 5 calories per packet.

Aimee Amodio (12040) 02 Apr 2008 10:11 AM

I count those as drinking water, myself... though I often end up diluting them further. I tend to use half a packet in a bottle of water, rather than a full one. (I also tend to dilute regular teas and juices, too -- I drink more water, and it's still flavorful!)

deedee1231 (4030) 02 Apr 2008 12:16 PM

I count it as drinking water too, lol. I dilute them as well. They are made for use with disposable water bottles, but I have a few reusable bottles that hold about twice as much water and I will just add one packet for a whole 32 oz of water in my bottle. I enjoy it more than plain water, which I would never drink enough of. It helps me stay away from sodas, which is hard for me but I haven't had one in 2 weeks. Yay!

Aimee Amodio (12040) 02 Apr 2008 12:28 PM

That's awesome, deedee! I've been trying to cut back on soda myself -- I'm down to one diet soda per day (most days) -- and drink more water/tea instead.