Product Swap #3
Mar 16th, 2011
Today’s swap is all about the sport drink. In the past, I have been known to enjoy myself some classic lemon-lime Gatorade, but who hasn’t? In recent years I have steered clear of the drinks because of the high sugar content, bizarro flavors and weird colors that marketers keep pumping out. But what turns me off naturally attracts my children. They quite loudly beg for the enticing blue gatorade on the juice aisle. Being the grocery store enabler that I am I end up relenting.
On one oddly calm day at the grocery store we ran smack into a Vita Coco display. I had a general knowledge that coconut water was supposed to be good for you. Apparently, my husband knew even more about it because he started piling Vita Coco after Vita Coco into the cart. We avoided the Gatorade aisle all-together and have ever since. Our families go-to sports drink is now coconut water. There are endless benefits about coconut water out there. Some are substantiated while others seem a bit far-reaching. My main reason for the swap is because it is an ALL NATURAL hydrating drink that is a healthier choice for my family. It’s that simple.
Though both coconut water and other sports drinks contain sodium and potassium, which are lost through sweat during heavy exercise, their ratios of these important electrolytes differ: An 8.5 fl.oz serving of Vita Coco has 30 mg of sodium and 515 mg of potassium (more than 2 bananas!), whereas an 8 fl.oz serving of Gatorade has 220 mg of sodium and 90 mg of potassium. Loss of both sodium and potassium can contribute to painful exercise-induced muscle cramping, but lack of sodium is the main culprit, making sodium-packed Gatorade the winner.
While serious athletes are probably better off hydrating with sports drinks, coconut water is our choice for light workouts and everyday activity. We are not a family of marathon runners so it works for us. I like to drink half of a Vita Coco as soon as I wake up and the second half after I work out. On a flavor note, let it be known that I cannot drink the plain coconut water like my husband. Me and the kiddos drink Vita Coco with Peach & Mango. It’s a few extra calories but hey, did I mention it has more potassium than 2 bananas?!
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Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment
Tanya Mon, Mar 21, 10:17am