how to stay hydrated: is crystal light pure the answer?

Disclosure: Kraft Foods sent me a sample of their new low-calorie beverage, Crystal Light Pure. The opinions below are my own.


What seems like eons ago, I received samples of naturally-sweetened Crystal Light Pure to review on this blog, in conjunction with tips from their spokesperson Molly Kimball, RD, on how to stay hydrated through the holidays (a true indication of when this blog was supposed to go up). I wanted to give the drink a fair shot, so I decided to leave the review until I had a little more time (read: after finals, the holidays, and many many hours of sleep) to write something thoughtful and interesting.

I've been consciously comparing how much water I drink now, in the colder months, to what I guzzled this summer when I was toting around my Brita Bottle.  Unsurprisingly, I am drinking much less water now than I was during July and August, though I try to keep my intake to at least eight glasses per day. What I didn't know until I received this sample is that we are actually more susceptible to dehydration during the winter months than any other time of the year!

Molly has the following tips for us folks who have issues staying hydrated during the winter:

1.       Keep a Tally
During cold weather seasons, we may be at an increased risk for dehydration because it’s not hot out and we may not feel as thirsty, but can’t actually tell how hydrated we are by how thirsty we feel. For many of us, by the time we start to feel thirsty, we’re already dehydrated, but just how much water is enough when it comes to staying hydrated? Keep a running tally of how much fluid you’re getting and aim for half of your body weight in ounces of fluid per day, plus an extra 16 ounces for every pound of sweat lost during exercise.  If you’re really not in the mood for cold water, try leaving a pitcher of water out on the counter – allowing it to get to room temperature may make it easier to drink.

2.       Flavor Up to Drink Up
Want to drink water to stay hydrated, but hate the boring taste? Add the flavor you want and none of what you don’t by sipping on naturally sweetened Crystal Light Pure. It’s got no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives and is sweetened with sugar and Truvia, a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It’ll give your water light, refreshing flavor with just 15 calories and 4 grams of sugar per serving. And the Grape and Strawberry Kiwi flavors have the added bonus of electrolytes!

3.       Don’t Forget about Food
Staying well-hydrated is essential for maintaining optimal energy levels, preventing muscle cramping and headaches. But that doesn’t mean you have to force down gallons of water or bottles of sugary sports drinks. Any type of alcohol-free beverage can count toward your fluid intake – and even some foods! Some of the top electrolyte-rich, hydrating foods include all types of fresh fruit, soups loaded with vegetables – even fall and winter foods like sweet potatoes and kale can provide much needed fluids.

4.       Watch the Caffeine
For years, the widely held belief was that caffeinated beverages were dehydrating. Research has proven otherwise, however.  The amount of caffeine typically found in standard servings of tea, coffee and soft drinks appears to have little diuretic effect. Meaning that these beverages don’t cause us to lose more fluid than they provide.  Drink a variety of beverages every day and remember all fluids, including those in foods you eat, contribute to daily water requirements.

I tried out Crystal Light Pure for myself, and I have mostly positive things to say about it.

Crystal Light Pure samples: Kiwi-Strawberry, Grape, and Lemonade!

First, I should disclose that I'm not really a person who has a problem drinking straight H20. I used to be a soda fanatic, but thankfully I've (mostly) kicked the habit and drink water all day long. I had to have an occasion to try Crystal Light Pure, and so I waited until times I would otherwise elect to drink alcohol or a soft drink.

In these situations, it really rose to the occasion, providing something sweet to complement my food at only 15 calories per serving.  Other than that, though, I couldn't really find a reason to drink it as opposed to my 0 calorie water.

If you need a reason to hydrate and plain water isn't doing it for you, Crystal Light Pure is definitely a better option than many of the other low-calorie drinks on the market, as it uses only natural sweeteners. I love real ingredients!

Lastly, for the most part, the flavors I sampled were tasty. I really love the Lemonade and Kiwi-Strawberry. I'm not a huge fan of Grape, but that could just be because I don't enjoy grape-flavored products in general (although my boyfriend, who does like Grape, commented that it tasted like children's medicine). Kiwi-Strawberry and Grape are both infused with electrolytes as well, so instead of a super sugary workout beverage, you can sip on something more natural and lighter.

Want to try Crystal Light Pure for yourself? Leave a comment about your thoughts on hydration with flavored beverages and I'll send some your way (first come, first served!)