Are you one of those people who are having a hard time drinking plain water because you prefer something with more taste?
Have you been struggling with this issue ever since you were little?
It turns out you’re not alone.
One of the most common reasons people don’t drink enough water is that they don’t like its bland taste.
If this is your case, then the best thing you can do is to upgrade your water.
But what if you’re on keto?
Well, we might just have the answer for you—Sparkling Ice Sparkling Water.
With just one sip, you’ll instantly fall in love with water again.
However, its delicious and sweet taste is a problem for most keto dieters.
How can it be sweet and keto at the same time?
This brings us to the most frequently asked question—is Sparkling Ice keto-friendly?
Read on to find out!
What is Sparkling Ice?
To put it simply, Sparkling Ice is a lightly carbonated and slightly sweet, and flavored beverage.
According to the manufacturers, this sparkling water is actually a zero-calorie and sugar-free drink that’s perfectly made for people with bubbly energy and colorful disposition.
How is it Consumed?
The consumption of Sparkling Ice need not be complicated as it’s designed to be drunk like water.
No other instructions needed!
What are its Ingredients?
Before we explore the biggest question of all, let us first discover the contents of one bottle of Sparkling Ice.
Take a look at its ingredients list, and these are what you’ll see:
- Carbonated Water
- Juice Concentrate
- Natural Flavors
- Malic Acid
- Vegetable Juice (to give it color)
- Gum Arabic
- Potassium Benzoate (preservative)
- Retinol (Vitamin A)
- Green Tea Extract
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Sucralose
Yes, this sparkling water contains lots of ingredients, but most of which are vitamins, and a few are for enhancing the appearance and taste of the water. And as the company claims, this drink is zero sugar.
How is it Sweetened?
You might have a few questions.
If Sparkling ice is zero-calories sparkling water, why does it taste so sweet?
Which of these ingredients are responsible for giving this sparkling water a sweet and appealing taste?
It’s no other than Sucralose. You may know it as Splenda.
This is a no-calorie sugar alternative manufactured to impart a sweet taste to a food item or a drink without increasing blood sugar levels or calorie consumption.
Even though it has no calories or carbohydrates, this is considered 600 x sweeter than sugar (1). This is why it’s only used in small amounts.
Unfortunately, there are many issues surrounding the use of artificial sweeteners, as these are said to have long-term side effects.
The good news is there are studies conducted to determine Sucralose’s long-term effects on our health. Over 100 studies concluded that this type of artificial sweeteners is safe for long-term use. (2)
What are the Different Sparkling Ice Flavors?
This sparkling water line comes in over 20 flavors. These include 18 fruity flavors and 6 flavors which contain Caffeine. Here’s a complete list of all Sparkling Ice flavors:
Classic (Fruity)
- Black Raspberry
- Black Cherry
- Grape Raspberry
- Kiwi Strawberry
- Cherry Limeade
- Fruit Punch
- Pomegranate Blueberry
- Coconut Pineapple
- Lemon Lime
- Strawberry Watermelon
- Pink Grapefruit
- Peach Nectarine
- Orange Mango
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Classic Lemonade
- Ginger Lime
Caffeine
- Triple Citrus
- Cherry Vanilla
- Blue Raspberry
- Black Raspberry
- Strawberry Citrus
- Orange Passion fruit
New
- Cherry Vanilla
- Coconut Limeade
- Fruit Punch
All of these contain natural flavorings (such as vegetable juice) and colorants.
What are the Sparkling Ice Nutrition Facts?
As you may have seen, Sparkling Ice Sparkling drinks are available in 3 kinds—classic, with Caffeine, and the new variants.
Initially, all variants are said to contain zero calories. However, the US FDA released new Nutrition Facts labeling requirements in January 2020. This changed the ballgame for specific variants of Sparkling Ice Sparkling Water.
Based on these guidelines, the manufacturers should update their serving sizes to accurately refer to the amount of the product people can consume in one sitting.
Not only that.
The manufacturer changed their serving size to an entire bottle (used to be equivalent to two servings). This simple change led to an increase in the calorie content shown in the bottle’s nutrition label.
Instead of zero calories, the bottle’s nutrition facts now indicate that a single serving actually contains 5 calories from the juice, acids, and natural colorants that the drink contains.
The good news is the drinks are still considered not just low carb but even zero carbs. As per the other macronutrients, all variants contain 0 fat, 0 protein, and 15% of vitamin A, vitamin D, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Biotin, and Pantothenic Acid.
Lastly, all variants have 135mcg of Antioxidants and Retinol Activity Equivalents Vitamin A.
Is Sparkling Ice Keto Friendly?
Yes, Sparkling Ice is suitable for the ketogenic diet.
Since these drinks are zero sugar or sugar-free and don’t contain any carbohydrates, it’s safe to say that these are keto-friendly. It even uses Sucralose, which is considered one of the best low-carb sweeteners for the ketogenic diet. (3)
Sparkling Ice Warning You Need to Know
Despite being sugar-free, you should exercise some caution when it comes to consuming Sparkling ice when on the keto diet.
While it’s safe to be taken from time to time, you should minimize your consumption as studies have shown that artificial sweeteners may actually increase your body’s appetite for real sugar. (4)
If you’re a sweet tooth, this may make sticking to the keto diet a lot more difficult for you.
What are the Different Ways to Consume Sparkling Ice on Keto?
If you don’t crave sugar frequently and you just wish to enjoy the sweet taste in your mouth from time to time, drinking Sparkling Ice once in a while would be okay.
Here are some of the keto-friendly ways on how you can take Sparkling Ice when on a keto diet:
Keto Sparkling Ice with Heavy Whipping Cream
Want to make your Sparkling ice look and feel fancier? The best thing you can do is to top it off with one to two tablespoons of heavy whipping cream.
Sparkling Cocktail
Alcohol is not recommended for people on keto, but having some from time to time won’t be damaging for you (except for those people on the keto diet).
If you want to enjoy a sparkling cocktail, you need to mix a small amount of vodka with your Sparkling Ice Sparkling water. This will be perfect for those hot summer days!
Sparkling Ice Popsicles
This is another healthy and keto-friendly Sparkling Ice treat that can certainly help beat the summer heat. The good news is it’s easy to make to!
All that you have to do is get a popsicle mold (or an ice tray) and pour the Sparkling ice with the flavor of your choice into it.
Place it in the freezer for a few hours and pop off the ice cubes or popsicles! Now, you have something low carb and healthy to serve your friends or family.
Final Words
At first glance and taste, it may seem that Sparkling Ice is far from being keto. Its sweetness and flavor will certainly make you think twice.
But, of course, you cannot rely solely on taste to determine if these drinks are keto-friendly or not. The best parameter would still be its macronutrient contents—especially its carbohydrate content.
Considering this critical factor, we can say that Sparkling Ice is keto-friendly. But with all things, make sure to consume this only in moderation.
