I'm totally against soft drinks of any kind. Empty calories, full of nasty chemical stuff. I do not only drink water though, but a lot of other things, but they are not as bad as soft drinks. Coffee is good because it's a healthy blood pressure raiser for me. Tea is good for all things, but I never drink those ready-made ones, always make my own. If I want it cold, I put it in the fridge. Alcohol can also be used for various purposes, for example a bit of warm sake is wonderful for a sore throat. Soft drinks have no purpose.

I switched from soda and juice last year to water and Spark. I did a lot of research on energy drinks with a colleague of mine and we determined with all the "stuff" out there that there are too many calories, sugars, and caffeine in a most energy drinks. What's in Spark is truly what's in it as it's been tested by a company in England called Informed-Choice so their reputation is on the line. SOme companies put more caffein or dugar in the beverage than what they claim. Spark tastes great and has amino acids (protein components) so it fuels your muscles as well as keeps your body focused. Hey, Texas Tech did a study in 1999 on it and it helped ADHD patients improve their mental focus. Message me and I'll send you the study, or more info on it. I love this stuff.

I ONLY drink sports drinks during half marathons. And I usually have two water bottles in my belt and then grab a water and a gatorade from the water stations. But only during actual races. During training I just drink water and eat my gels. My kids aren't allowed to touch the stuff. They get pedialite but only when they are sick with a stomach bug. 

I like sports drinks when I am going to be in very hot weather doing strenuous exercise like mountain biking or mountain hiking for a period over 4 hours. I like the sodium replacement, but wish I had more healthier choices with sports drinks.

I do not like to waste calories on drinks either. I try to drink all water, which I tend to get bored with. But recently I found a drink called Skinny Water. Zero calories, 0 sugar, 0 sodium! And they are good! I love them!!! They are my treat to myself at the gym everyday. :) There are different ones like Crave Control, Energize, etc., but my fav is the Sport one. Lots of potassium and yummy.

The best "sport" drink is pure COCONUT WATER!!  It taste great & high potassium content.

I love water!  It's what I grew up on... and always leaves me refreshed.  However, I do use sports drinks when I'm doing rigorous activity like triathlon training/triathlons and other endurance events. (And they're highly recommended when taking high stress endurance exams like MCATs, etc - so as to maintain an isotonic balance for bladder purposes).  There are some healthier alternatives.... I'd recommend checking in organic markets (if they're available in the areas) or specialized running stores (they have some sports drink alternatives that are usually better, healthwise). 

Original Post by: spiceejalapeno

I love water!  It's what I grew up on... and always leaves me refreshed.  However, I do use sports drinks when I'm doing rigorous activity like triathlon training/triathlons and other endurance events. (And they're highly recommended when taking high stress endurance exams like MCATs, etc - so as to maintain an isotonic balance for bladder purposes).  There are some healthier alternatives.... I'd recommend checking in organic markets (if they're available in the areas) or specialized running stores (they have some sports drink alternatives that are usually better, healthwise). 

but I want to also clarify, sports drinks are really unnecessary for moderate exercise.

I've started drinking gatorade since i bike usually 60-100 minutes at a time, and really helps me stay hydrated, and maintains my energy levels.  

I do really wish it wasn't bright blue though, it doesn't need to be, and I don't like the thought of all the chemicals and rubbish it in.  I have yet to find a healthier alternative.

I grew up on Gatorade and drank it regularly until I realized how bad it is for me..even the G2 version...too much salt & sugar.

Coconut water is delicious, and great...but I can't always get to it.

These days I use Zipfizz...it's a "healthy energy and sports drink" based on vitamins and minerals. It has no sugar and natural flavors and colors (I try to stay away from artificial flavors/colors...I drink mostly water besides Zipfizz). It's got tons of vitamin B12...they say it's the equivalent of a shot of B12 from the Dr. It's also got the potassium of 2 bananas and a hefty amount of magnesium (as well as a bit of calcium, but I hadn't realized until just reading this article that calcium is an electrolyte).  It's also got a ton of anti-oxidants to keep my immune system strong. Oh, and it's tasty! It's also convenient...it's powder, so I take it with me everywhere.

I thought you could doctor water to get the same effect as gatorade.  Add your own salt and sweetners.  I could be wrong might be too simple.

I like teas and water with a slice of lemon (good for the liver).

I'm the mom of a 6 year old boy that plays hockey and I'm guilty of giving him Gatorade.  He sweats so much and I can't find an alternative, water isn't enough with a high intensity sport like hockey.  Parents all swear by milk post workout (water also) but I have a little guy that's never like it.  If I could find a sports drink with electolytes, non sugar carbs and digestible protein, without all the artificial stuff, I'd be in heaven.  Any suggestions?   

I stopped drinking sports drinks when I noticed that every single drink on the shelf contains high fructose corn syrup. I am sure we don't need that ingredient to boost our energy..

My workouts are just under 3 hrs. Gatorade helps me get through them. I find that the sodium and sugar content are negligible. If you regularly eat clean and drink plenty of water-Gatorade during a workout will not hurt you at all.

Sports drinks for the most part are not needed. They are sugar conduits. I love to hike and on short hikes water is fine unless you are sweating like crazy. I played college hockey and water was fine. Last summer I hiked Mt Whitney and saw a sports drink mixture in Men Fitness Magazine and gave it a try and it seemed to help with my endurance.  That hike was 22 miles and 6000 elevation gain and took 15 hours. It helped replace the salts and had just enough sugar. If interested, google Stacy Sims and sports drink. Interesting stuff.

You can get electrolytes in Thai Young Coconuts.  It's a raw food, very very healthy, and delicious.  Nothing artificial.  Each one has about two cups of coconut water.  These can be found in Oriental groceries.  The Kroger I use has been carrying them for years.  Check on UTube for a video on how to open them.  It's not that difficult, and worth the small effort.

I can see the point for somebody doing strenuous exercise, but I don't think people should be drinking them "just because."

A friend of ours had gotten into the habit of drinking them as "health drinks", even though she doesn't exercise (not doesn't exercise strenuously--she doesn't really exercise at all).  She couldn't figure out why she was gaining so much weight.  Finally, she came to visit us and was drinking them even more because of the heat (she thought she'd need them because she was sweating more) and because she said she hadn't been feeling very perky lately.  My mother ended up driving her to the emergency room with edema and shortness of breath! 

It turns out, she had no idea how many calories were in each bottle, nor how much sodium.  She'd been feeling tired because she was completely waterlogged with fluid retention from the salt in her "health drinks." 

The only time I touch sports drinks are when I am sick and can stomach little else.  Even then, I cut them with water (half and half) and sip slowly.  Gatorade works pretty well in that situation.

However, for those of us that are not exerting ourselves heavily for hours at a time, they just are not at all necessary for fluid and mineral replacement.  You are better off enjoying a small handful of peanuts after a heavy workout (drinking water during it).  For a light workout, just water will do.

the only time i drink gatorade is during intensive interval training sessions and I start to feel nauseous from low electrolytes.  Does anyone have any suggestions on anything else I can drink to get that feeling to pass?  I find that a small sip of gatorade helps the nausea go away almost instantly and I can carry on working at 100%

About as necessary as a hole in the head.

I used to drink Gatorade every day. I wasn't exercising at that time, I just drank it because it tasted good. I stopped drinking it for the calorie reasons, and then later found out more about how unhealthy they are. Now I mainly drink water, with the occasional juice or tea.

Rule of thumb: if the exercise session is short (under 1 hour), you can probably get by with water during and maybe a sports drink/recovery drink (if the activity was intense) afterward.

For activities lasting longer than an hour, definitely need a sports drink and more so if it is hot outside.

Guys, there's a reason they are called sports drinks.  If you're doing sport, you probably need them.  If not, you don't need them.

I find them a waste if you are not working our for over an hour.  I work out for several hours a day, and I still get by on water.   But my husband, I do buy gatorade for him.  He is a very hard working man, and he works 12 hour shifts welding and lifting pipe all day.  I think that for things like that, it is fine.  Otherwise, I don't think it should be bought.  I don't understand why the cafeteria in the school I teach at sells it.  In fact, watching the line, 95% of the kids who buy the stuff don't even take pe.

Water for me! Sports drink = unnecessary. I don't like taste of it, even. I like my diet sodas, but I just don't develop a taste for sports drink.

i find a lot of comments here miss the purpose of sports drinks. sports drinks are loaded with simple sugar (mostly dextrose) and electrolytes for a reason, to replenish muscle glycogen stores after an INTENSE workout, weather it be heavy weight lifting to failure, a marathon, sprinting, etc... its not meant for people who just take a walk in the park and who dont create that glycogen depletion state. They are great for recovery after a hard workout, the insulin spike is extremely anabolic and shuttles essential nutrients into beat up muscle cells. so yeah they are not for everyone, but again thats not to say just because they are not suitable for you that they arent suitable for someone else.

The whole point of gatorade is to quickly replenish electrolytes and provide quick energy lost from strenuous, extended exercise. Most people do not need it. No matter how hard you worked your butt off in a 50 minute class at the gym, it isn't enough for gatorade.

The other use I have found for it is when I'm sick in bed, dehydrated, too dizzy to stand long to get food, and throw up if I eat anything but small amounts of liquid. That is the ONLY time I have ever found gatorade even sort of palatable.

A few sips of water during the workout is enough for me.  If I drank 1/2 cup or more, I'm afraid it would come up.  After the workout I have a big glass of water and then my first cup of coffee of the day.

I didn't grow up drinking sports drinks and I see they are loaded with sugars, and high fructose corn sryup.  Plus, most of them do not taste good to me! 

Once when I crashed during a workout my trainer mixed up some CytoMax and I felt better in less than a minute.  Now I use it if I'm sick and need to replace liquids--it'll stay down when water won't.

Water with a drop of flavored, liquid stevia in it is delicious! 

jodimaureen,

hammernutrition.com has a sports drink mix, HEED, with very litle simple sugar in it.

Infinitnutrition.com allows you to custom mix your own sports drink.

Healthy people tend to make healthy choices, thats how they got there.  Sports drink is a choice that suits peoples needs.  And just like french fries, they can make you fat.

The best "sports drink" is low sodium V8 juice.  Just look at the amounts of sodium, potassium, and calories compared to any sports drink. 

I am normal weight and run hard 14 miles per week.  My physician recently informed me that I am pre-diabetic.  Consequently, I am learning about Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load.  Sports drinks have a very high Glycemic Index.  Consequently, I agree with the article that sports drinks should be avoided unless strenuous exercise lasts over an hour.  Only then, I believe they could be helpful.

For people who want a non-chemical alternative to gatorade:

Obviously it still has a lot of calories, and a good amount of salt, but it seems like if you need it, it's helpful to make it yourself. You're reminded how much sugar goes into it, and are more likely to only use it when necessary.  Also, no Red 40, Blue #5 etc etc.

Another recipe: 

I use a “Gatorade-replacement” when I need to boost electrolytes.  As I have experienced heat exhaustion in the past, I need to be careful when in the sun for extended periods of time.  This homemade drink helps me and I will use this for stomach-flu as well. 

Recipe: Rehydration Drink

1 quart (4 cups) water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon table salt

3–4 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon "lite" salt or salt substitute in addition to the table salt (if you don't have any, it's fine to leave it out of the recipe)

http://www.realage.com/check-your-health/gastrointestinal-re lief/rehydration-drink-recipe

I like that some of you included alternative recipes to buying a sports drink.  I am quite heavy and I find that if I exercise even moderately, I really sweat and I know that sometimes I feel the need to replace the electrolytes and there is no better time to have sugar in your diet then right after or during a stressful exercise, even if you're not an athlete. 

Also, livining in the Arizona desert you need to be extra careful about the heat and sweating a lot.  We provide our firefighters with sports drinks for example.  Just a few mintues in turnout gear in the arizona sun causes profuse sweating. 

I agree that it is not good for casual use and I usually stick with water!  Lots and lots of water before during and after exercise especially!

Hi,

I still find that tea: green or black with a little juice as sweetener if I opt to, hot or cold is a good pick me up when I am a little down on energy.  Water is always good and can be used in the same manner if you can not take the straight thing.:) aea

I am a pre-professional ballet dancer and dance for more than three hours everyday. I find sports drinks like Gatorade extremely helpful during really intense classes. They quench my thirst and give me plenty of energy to continue dancing. During performance season when we have all-day rehearsals, I take a bottle of it with me. But I also think that non-athletes do not need it, it make you want more and it spends a lot of your money as well!

Go Gatorade! Vera 

Original Post by: jodimaureen

I'm the mom of a 6 year old boy that plays hockey and I'm guilty of giving him Gatorade.  He sweats so much and I can't find an alternative, water isn't enough with a high intensity sport like hockey.  Parents all swear by milk post workout (water also) but I have a little guy that's never like it.  If I could find a sports drink with electolytes, non sugar carbs and digestible protein, without all the artificial stuff, I'd be in heaven.  Any suggestions?   

When he was younger, my bf was involved a lot in hockey, and the beverage of choice was ... orange juice. That was what was advised by the coaches, from when he was little to the last time he played competitively in high school.

I take dance twice a week and each session is three hours. Oftentimes by the second hour I feel a little dizzy and weak, even though I eat a good snack before I go. My dance teacher told me I probably need to replenish my electrolytes, so how can I do that without turning to a sugary and unhealthy sports drink?

Original Post by: spirit_me_away

I take dance twice a week and each session is three hours. Oftentimes by the second hour I feel a little dizzy and weak, even though I eat a good snack before I go. My dance teacher told me I probably need to replenish my electrolytes, so how can I do that without turning to a sugary and unhealthy sports drink?

Would this work - even though it has sugar? 

Recipe: Rehydration Drink

1 quart (4 cups) water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon table salt

3–4 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon "lite" salt or salt substitute in addition to the table salt (if you don't have any, it's fine to leave it out of the recipe)

http://www.realage.com/check-your-health/gastrointestinal-re lief/rehydration-drink-recipe

I use Gatorade thirst quencher when I am feeling sick. It makes me feel better than water or ginger ale. But when healthy and exercising casually, I prefer water.