A Comparison table of Top 6 Popular Keto-Friendly Water Enhancer Brands To Buy
Brand | Net Carbs per Serving | Artificial Ingredients |
---|---|---|
Stur | 0g | No |
Nuun | 4g | No |
Elete | 0g | No |
True Lemon | 0g | No |
Mio | 0g | Yes |
Crystal Light | 0g – 3g | Yes |
- Understanding the Ketogenic Diet:
- What Are Water Enhancers?
- Nutritional Facts – Net Carbs Per Serving
- Health Benefits and Downsides
- Are Water Enhancers Ok On Keto?
- Top 6 Popular Keto-Friendly Water Enhancer Brands To Buy
- Bonus: Homemade Water Enhancer Recipe
- Making Your Own Keto-Friendly Water Enhancers
- FAQS
One of the most important aspects of the keto diet is ensuring that you remain suitably hydrated throughout the entirety of the time in your state of ketosis.
With that being said, drinking gallons upon gallons of water although may be beneficial for you (given that you don’t accidentally drown), will not give your taste buds that satisfying dance that they crave.
So how do you make water taste better? Your solution is – keto friendly water enhancers
Water enhancers are a fantastic solution to make drinking water much, much more fun with absolutely no dent into your net carb allowance, making them keto-friendly. Or are they?
Before we give away too many of the secrets we share with you, why don’t you keep on reading down this comprehensive review and find out all you need to know about these flavored water droppers.
Reaed on!
Understanding the Ketogenic Diet:
The ketogenic diet focuses on high healthy fat, moderate protein, and minimal carbohydrate consumption. By shifting the body’s primary fuel source from glucose to fat, it leads to weight loss and other health benefits.
Importance of Staying Hydrated on Keto:
While the ketogenic diet offers many benefits, it can lead to dehydration due to water weight loss and the reduction of high-water content processed foods. Maintaining proper hydration throughout the diet is essential.
What Are Water Enhancers?
Have you ever wished water could be more exciting? Well, your wish has come true! Say hello to the latest invention in the beverage aisle – tiny bottles of water enhancers. You might be thinking, “Can such a small bottle quench my thirst?”
Think again! These little wonders are packed with flavor and called water enhancers. Just a few drops of these concentrated fruit-flavored solutions can transform a plain glass of water into a tantalizing treat.
These mixers work their magic by adding sweetness, fruit flavoring, and a hint of color to make your water visually appealing. Suddenly, drinking water becomes an enjoyable experience.
Here’s the best part – most of these mixers have no added sugars, which means they are low-carb and have minimal net carbs per serving. So, you can stay in ketosis while savoring the delightful flavors.
Stay hydrated and happy with keto-friendly water enhancers. Give your water a boost of taste and make hydration fun!
Pro Tip: Get creative and try infusing your water with frozen fruit, flavored ice cubes, or citrus slices for a natural and keto-friendly enhancement. Cheers to staying refreshed and in ketosis!
Nutritional Facts – Net Carbs Per Serving
Let’s start with the basics. What macronutrients do we require for the keto diet to become optimal?
Firstly, we need to make sure 70% of our energy comes from fats, 25% from protein, and 5% from carb. However, this is a concentrated solution that commonly lacks fats and proteins. So what about the carb content?
Well, water enhancers typically contain little to no carbs, as the majority of their sweetness comes from various artificial sweeteners. This means that there are no net carbs per serving in a lot of the water enhancers, and in turn, no calories.
Health Benefits and Downsides
When following the ketogenic diet, you’re told to focus on three key things:
- Drink lots of water,
- Keep your net carbs low,
- And embrace high-fat foods.
Water enhancers can be a great addition to the keto lifestyle, offering the benefit of hydration with minimal net carbs. However, it’s essential to be aware of potential downsides too.
Let’s explore both sides of the coin!
Hydration
While water enhancers themselves may not directly hydrate you, they can enhance the water you mix them with. Some people, however, worry that adding anything to water might reduce its hydrating effect, especially if it gives a sugary taste that hints at net carbs.
But fear not!
Water enhancers actually make water taste more enjoyable, making it easier for those on the ketogenic diet, who need to drink at least 3 liters of water a day, to stay hydrated.
So, let’s dive into how water enhancers boost hydration!
Weight Loss
Let’s be clear: chemically enhanced products are unlikely to have a direct influence on your weight loss. However, swapping high-calorie and high-net carb drinks with low-carb water-based alternatives can help reduce your daily caloric and net carb intake.
By significantly lowering your daily calorie intake, you can eventually boost weight loss and expedite fat-burning processes in your body.
The Vitamin Connection
Water enhancer companies often boast about the energy-boosting benefits of their products, claiming to be packed with essential vitamins to power you through the day.
Most of these enhancers contain B vitamins, which play a crucial role in converting fat and food into energy, making them helpful for weight loss efforts. However, it’s essential to know that these products usually contain only trace amounts of vitamins. Consuming them in large quantities is not advisable for any diet.
While the vitamin content in these flavored droppers won’t significantly impact your health, it won’t hurt to use them occasionally as a flavorful alternative to plain water. So go ahead and add a splash of taste to your hydration routine, but remember to do so in moderation!
Loaded with Artificial Chemicals
Now, for the not-so-friendly part. Anything containing non-naturally sourced ingredients can pose health problems.
One common ingredient found in flavored products is artificial sweeteners, and they might not be as harmless as they seem.
The main artificial sweeteners used in these products, like acesulfame potassium, aspartame, and sucralose, are deemed safe by the FDA. However, research suggests otherwise (*).
On the positive side, these sweeteners contain no calories or net carbs and taste good. Some are even sweeter than sugar, so only tiny amounts are needed to sweeten food and drinks (*).
Despite their benefits, these artificial sweeteners can negatively impact your health and the environment. Acesulfame potassium, for example, doesn’t dispose easily and can affect marine life (*).
Furthermore, some artificial sweeteners have been linked to increased insulin levels, potentially leading to weight gain, higher blood sugar, and even diabetes (*).
Moreover, artificial sweeteners have been found to cause various changes in DNA that could lead to certain types of cancer (*).
As a result, it’s best to avoid artificial sweeteners. If you choose to consume products containing them, they won’t be considered keto-friendly and may fall under the “dirty-keto” category.
Keto-Friendly Water Enhancers
To stay keto-friendly, water enhancers should contain only natural ingredients and be sweetened with keto-friendly sweeteners like Stevia and monk fruit.
Increased Appetite
Regularly consuming artificially sweetened foods and drinks can trigger sugar cravings, increased appetite, and temptations to consume carbs, which could knock you out of ketosis.
Artificial sweeteners work by binding to the same receptors in your mouth as sugar, but with much higher potency. As a result, you might have an urge to consume more sugary foods and drinks, as shown in various studies (*).
Are Water Enhancers Ok On Keto?
Water enhancers claim to be a healthy choice, often promoted for use in classrooms and offices to encourage hydration. They promise to provide you with an excellent blend of electrolytes and vitamins to keep you hydrated.
But let’s take a closer look – can a concentrated, fruit-flavored solution really be as healthy as it claims to be?
After examining the benefits and drawbacks of water enhancers, we must be honest – these products are not entirely keto-friendly. They fall into the category of “dirty keto,” meaning they won’t directly impact your net carb intake, but they may lead to health issues down the line.
So, while they might add some flavor and variety to your water, it’s essential to use them in moderation and be mindful of their potential drawbacks.
Stay informed, stay healthy, and make choices that align with your wellness goals. Remember, small changes can make a big difference!
Top 6 Popular Keto-Friendly Water Enhancer Brands To Buy
The best water enhancers to use for the ketogenic diet are those that have negligible net carbs per serving and contain only natural sweeteners.
1. Stur
Stur has produced a wonderful, natural flavor enhancer without the use of any artificial ingredients. With 0 grams of net carbs per serving and 100% of your daily vitamin C intake, this product is our number one.
2. Nuun
Nuun is a more convenient water flavoring as it comes in tablet form. Nuun also contains no artificial ingredients but does provide wonderful electrolyte replacement properties which are ideal for anybody who is regularly active.
However, it is low carb. This means that there are 4g of net carbs per serving of Nuun, as opposed to the 0g of net carbs per serving seen by many of its contenders.
3. Elete
Another wonderful product for us keto lovers. Elete has produced a water enhancer that is made with zero artificial ingredients that have a great balance of electrolytes at the cost of no net carbs per serving. Sounds pretty good right?
4. True Lemon
These on-the-go sachets can flavor your water using flavorings extracted from real citrus fruits. This means that there are no artificial ingredients used in the making of this wonderful water enhancer.
True lemon water enhancers are non-genetically modified, vegan, and contain very low calories and no net carbs per serving.
5. Mio
Mio is one of the most popular water enhancers currently in the markets. Why?
Well, Mio contains virtually no calories or carbohydrates (0g of fat, 0g of carbs, and 0 calories), making it perfectly safe to indulge in the keto diet without a dent in your net carb allowance.
However, Mio is flavored with sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener. This means that it is not keto-friendly as such but instead is dirty keto.
Learn more: Is mio keto-friendly?
6. Crystal Light
One of the first “low-calorie” water enhancers to ever hit the market, Crystal Light has still managed to surpass all expectations and remain at the top of the list.
Crystal Light comes in a variety of flavors, all of which have a slightly different net carb content. The carb contents range between 0g and 3g of net carbs depending on the flavor chosen.
Crystal Light is sweetened artificially using acesulfame potassium which makes it not keto-friendly as such due to the late-onset effects that artificial sweeteners have on our body, however it is still viable to use on the keto diet in moderation without getting kicked out of ketosis.
Learn more: Is crystal light keto-friendly?
Bonus: Homemade Water Enhancer Recipe
Making Your Own Keto-Friendly Water Enhancers
Speaking from a realistic point of view, water doesn’t have to be enhanced by using any chemical ingredients to provide its soul purpose – hydration.
However, due to the ever-rising popularity of enhancers (nearing a $1 billion industry), many people are trialing various ingredients in their water to make it less boring. So, this is where we at Ketoaholics come in.
We are here to let you know that you can get just as good as a taste by naturally flavoring your water – without any added chemical ingredients and unnecessary net carbs.
Why don’t you try out some of the following additions to your water to see just how good it can taste – made at the comforts of your own home?
Adding frozen fruit
Freeze some berries, mangos, apples, or even herbs such as mint and rosemary to add to your water next time you fill a bottle. The fruit will eventually thaw throughout the day and begin adding a delicious natural flavor to your water that gives you natural vitamins and electrolytes.
Flavored ice cubes
Try freezing water with some mint, rosemary, or even ginger. Add these ice cubes to your water bottle and just taste nature!
Citrus
It comes as no surprise that citrus fruits are some of the best to help give your water an enhanced flavor. Why do you think that nearly every single restaurant or cafe sticks a wedge of lime on the glass?
Fresh fruit juice
Now we know what you’re thinking – this is the keto diet, why on earth would we add the extra net carbs from fresh fruit juice? Well, hear us out. Adding freshly squeezed fruit juice into your water, although may increase your net carb intake slightly, will still result in a low carb beverage that provides you with all the vitamins and electrolytes you need without the harm that comes from artificial ingredients.
In Summary
Water is vital not only to maintain hydration but to help our bodies recover and allow us to live a long and prosperous life. We understand that drinking water daily may be boring, and that is why various companies have made keto friendly water enhancers.
The best water enhancers to use on the keto diet are those that contain only natural ingredients and are sweetened by either Stevia, Monk fruit, or natural fruit extract.
In the end, the best choice depends on your taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and how you prioritize net carb intake and artificial ingredients. It’s a good idea to try a few different options to see which one suits you best.Here’s a brief overview of the options:
- Stur: It has 0g net carbs per serving and contains no artificial ingredients. It also provides 100% of your daily vitamin C intake. This makes it a great choice for those who want a natural flavor enhancer without any added carbs.
- Nuun: While it contains 4g of net carbs per serving, it offers electrolyte replacement properties, which can be beneficial for active individuals. If you prioritize electrolyte replenishment, Nuun might be a suitable option.
- Elete: With 0g net carbs per serving and no artificial ingredients, Elete offers a good balance of electrolytes. If you’re looking for a simple and clean water enhancer, this could be a great choice.
- True Lemon: This water enhancer uses flavorings extracted from real citrus fruits and has no artificial ingredients. It’s non-genetically modified, vegan, and has very low calories and no net carbs per serving. True Lemon is an excellent option for those seeking a natural flavor from real fruits.
- Mio: While Mio contains 0g net carbs per serving and no calories, it is flavored with sucralose, an artificial sweetener. If you don’t mind the artificial sweetener and prefer a wide range of flavors, Mio could be suitable.
- Crystal Light: It offers various flavors, but its net carb content varies between 0g and 3g per serving. It contains artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium. If you are looking for more flavor variety and don’t mind artificial sweeteners in moderation, Crystal Light might be an option.
The best way to ensure your water flavorings are the healthiest they can be is by infusing water using fruits and herbs as described above.
All in all, you need to make sure that you drink flavor-enhanced water in moderation, as too much of a good thing can also lead to bad consequences.
In the end, the best choice depends on your taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and how you prioritize net carb intake and artificial ingredients. It’s a good idea to try a few different options to see which one suits you best.Here’s a brief overview of the options:
- Stur: It has 0g net carbs per serving and contains no artificial ingredients. It also provides 100% of your daily vitamin C intake. This makes it a great choice for those who want a natural flavor enhancer without any added carbs.
- Nuun: While it contains 4g of net carbs per serving, it offers electrolyte replacement properties, which can be beneficial for active individuals. If you prioritize electrolyte replenishment, Nuun might be a suitable option.
- Elete: With 0g net carbs per serving and no artificial ingredients, Elete offers a good balance of electrolytes. If you’re looking for a simple and clean water enhancer, this could be a great choice.
- True Lemon: This water enhancer uses flavorings extracted from real citrus fruits and has no artificial ingredients. It’s non-genetically modified, vegan, and has very low calories and no net carbs per serving. True Lemon is an excellent option for those seeking a natural flavor from real fruits.
- Mio: While Mio contains 0g net carbs per serving and no calories, it is flavored with sucralose, an artificial sweetener. If you don’t mind the artificial sweetener and prefer a wide range of flavors, Mio could be suitable.
- Crystal Light: It offers various flavors, but its net carb content varies between 0g and 3g per serving. It contains artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium. If you are looking for more flavor variety and don’t mind artificial sweeteners in moderation, Crystal Light might be an option.
FAQS
Answering common questions about using water enhancers on the ketogenic diet, their potential side effects, and how much water to drink daily.
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