This is intended to just give you ideas on what you can do to drink something good tasting without all the other stuff that comes with prepared drinks. Save money and make your own as there really is no reason to buy flavored drinks that are mainly water and bad stuff. Ideas for these drinks are available all over the net, but here are my favorites.
Plain Water
Flat water is as low in calories and carbs as you can get. One variation would be to add a spritz of lemon or lime peel (you can pretend it is a martini) if you want the very hint of flavor with no added calories or carbs. The big question is do you want it iced or room temp.
I was reading an article that indicated Chinese Medicine views the drinking of cold versus warm water differently than western medicine. They are taught that cold water is refreshing and cooling, thus a great choice after exercise. But it can also trigger headaches and stuff up sinuses. Room temp water can sooth thirst better, possibly aid digestion, and combat constipation. So even deciding iced or warm it can be complicated.
Tap Water 1C (8oz) = 0c, 0k, 0p, 0f and 7mg to 9mg sodium
Distilled (mineral free) 1C (8oz) = 0c, 0k, 0p, 0f and 0mg sodium
Spring Water 1C (8oz) = 0c, 0k, 0p, 0f and 12mg sodium
Fruit in Plain Water
Sparkling Water
There are some studies that indicate carbonated water is not as good for us as plain water. (1) Current studies show that carbonic acid does harm teeth enamel, and if combined with citrus will, in the long run, harm your teeth. (2) (In perspective, this damage is nothing compared to what soda does to your teeth!)
1C (8oz) = 0c, 0k, 0p, 0f and it has 75mg sodium
Sparking Fruit Water
But if you prefer a bit of juice to the bubbles, perhaps topped off with a lemon or lime slice for a soda-like experience. Here are some choices.
1oz Orange juice to 8oz carbonated water 13c, 2.95k, .2p, .1f
1oz Lemon juice to 8oz carbonated water 7c, 2.45k, .11p, .1f
1oz Lime juice to 8oz carbonated water 7c, 2.39k, .12p, .1f
1oz Strawberry juice to 8oz carbonated water 11c, 2.21k, .09p, 0f
Spa Waters
To up the flavor of water add some organic fruit, veggies, and herbs to create a sensational tasting spa water. It takes a minimum of a couple of hours to infuse at room temps, or 3-4 hours in the fridge. (Remember to remove the food from the water after it tastes they way you want it to taste, you do not want the food to decompose in the water.) After a couple of days dump the water out and start again with a new flavor. For the nutrition of infused water I have used Spark Recipes as I am not sure who else to quote. I do assume you are not eating the fruit or adding sugar.
- Use the best water you have (faucet, spring, other bottled or filtered)
- Wash the herbs and fruit carefully before you add to the water.
- Each recipe should be used with a gallon of water.
- You can use fresh or frozen fruits. But frozen fruit will not release as much flavor as non-frozen. They tend to also fall apart and mucky up the water..
- Remove all stems.
- Put in the fridge to infuse and cool.
1C (8oz) = 5.4c, 1.3k, .1p, .4f
- Strawberry, Basil and Lemon: 1/2C sliced strawberries + 5 large torn basil leaves + 1 thinly sliced lemon rinds (no pith)
- Cucumber, Grapefruit, Mint and Citrus: 1 sliced grapefruit rinds (no pith) + 1 sliced cucumber + 1/2 sliced lemon + 1/2 sliced lime +3 muddled mint leaves
- Honeydew, Cucumber and Mint:1/2C honeydew cubes (flesh only) + 1 sliced cucumber + 10 muddled fresh mint leaves
- Strawberry and Cucumber: 1/2C sliced strawberries + 1 sliced small cucumber (not peeled)
- Blackberries, Orange and Ginger:1/2C blackberries + 1 sliced orange + 2″ peeled & coin sliced ginger
- Blueberry, Lemon, and Rosemary:1/2C blueberries + 1 sliced lemon + 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Blueberry and Blood Orange: 1/2C blueberries + 1 sliced blood orange
- Pineapple, Coconut, and Lime:1C cup pineapple + 1C coconut shards + 1 sliced lime
- Watermelon and Mint: 1C watermelon slices + 4 large muddled mint leaves
Sources
I have referenced several sites that have different recommendations and directions. Just do a google search on “infused water” and you can find lots of ideas. Source for measurements come primarily from Wikipedia, the juice from fatsecret.com.
Infused water and nutritionix and culinary hill and tasteofhome
