Staying hydrated is essential in any diet plan, but sometimes water can get too plain and boring. The good news is that you can spruce the 15 to 11 cups of daily intake with extra flavor using Crystal Light.
The fruity-flavored powder is a favorite among multiple dieters. It’s a low-calorie option that encourages you to drink more water. If you’re on the Weight Watchers diet, you may wonder, “Does Crystal Light count as water?”
Stick around to find out and learn more about the flavor packets, their pros, and cons.
Table of Contents
Does Crystal Light Count as Water on Weight Watchers?
You can drink Crystal Light on a Weight Watchers diet plan. The flavored drink does count in your water intake.
The added flavor is low-sugar, low-calorie, and doesn’t contain caffeine. Subsequently, you can freely infuse Crystal Light into your water and stay hydrated.
Is Crystal Light Nutritious?
Crystal light fits the bill for a low-calorie alternative to water on a Weight Watchers diet. That said, it doesn’t necessarily meet the criteria as a healthy option. The drink contains little to no added nutritional benefit to your diet.
The powder’s ingredients include artificially-derived sweeteners and preservatives. Fortunately, the brand launched a more naturally-derived line called Crystal Light Pure. Although its ingredients are natural, it still has added sugars.
For this reason, Crystal Light is still a non-healthy alternative to water. Even though it’s FDA-approved, the beverage arguably still contains harmful ingredients.
Related: Can You Drink Crystal Light While Fasting?
Drinking Crystal Light: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reduces Your Hunger
- Helps Mitigate Kidney Disease
- Fits Other Diet Plans
Cons
- May Cause a Sweet Tooth
- May trigger side effects like headaches or allergies
Crystal Light is a popular method to keep your water intake on track on the Weight Watchers plan. While the flavor boasts several health benefits, it still has some disadvantages. That said, check out the pros and cons of drinking Crystal Light below.
Pros
Check out the benefits of adding Crystal Light to your Weight Watchers plan.
It Reduces Your Hunger
According to several studies, we often confuse thirst with hunger. Over 37% of people have that mix-up and end up eating when they’re thirsty.
Consequently, when drinking water becomes more appealing, you’ll likely be less hungry and consume less.
It Helps Mitigate Kidney Disease
Those suffering from kidney disease need to drink more fluids. Crystal Light provides a healthier alternative to high-sugar beverages like juice or sodas. Drinking more will promote kidney function and prevent future complications.
It Fits Other Diet Plans
Crystal Light is an ideal addition to your water if you’re contemplating other diet plans, like the keto diet. It’s low-carb and low-sugar, making it suitable for the latter’s specifications.
Besides keto diets, you can also use Crystal Light while fasting. Nevertheless, studies speculating on the effects of artificial flavors during fasts are inconclusive.
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Cons
Aside from the pros of using Crystal Light, here are some cons worth mentioning.
It May Cause a Sweet Tooth
Although Crystal Light contains little sugar, the powder still adds an artificial sweet flavor. Getting used to that flavor can have you craving more sweet foods.
The effect is similar to diet sodas, where the processed flavors alter your palate. Naturally-sweet foods like fruit won’t taste as sweet, and you won’t reach for them as much to satisfy your sweet tooth.
It Has Side Effects
The ingredient list in Crystal Light contains components that may trigger side effects like headaches. The beverage may also cause allergic reactions.
Despite the present research on the side effects of artificial sweeteners, the FDA believes there’s a lack of conclusive evidence.
Also Check: Crystal Light vs. Kool-Aid
Healthier Alternatives to Crystal Light
If you’re searching for a healthier way to complete your daily water intake without Crystal Light, check out the Weight Watchers-approved methods below.
Fruity Drinks
For each drink below, you’ll mix it with two quarts of water.
Watermelon Water
- Crush one cup of cubed watermelons.
- Tear three mint leaves and add.
- Juice half a lime.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
Berry Blast
- Pulp the following ingredients:
- Half a cup of sliced strawberries
- Half a cup of raspberries
- Half a cup of blueberries
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
Tropical Breeze
- Add half a cup of cubed mangos.
- Tear three mint leaves and add.
- Juice half a lime.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
- Refrigerate for two hours and serve.
Detox Drinks
For each drink below, you’ll mix it with two quarts of water.
Honeydew
- Add three cups of cubed honeydew.
- Stir one cup of halved grapes.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
- Refrigerate for two hours and serve.
Cucumber
- Peel, deseed, and slice one cucumber and add.
- Tear ten mint leaves and add.
- Juice half a lime.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
- Refrigerate for two hours and serve.
Blueberry
- Pulp the following ingredients:
- Half a cup of blueberries
- Half a lime
- Juice half a lime.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
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Spicy Drinks
For each drink below, you’ll mix it with two quarts of water.
Jalapeno and Cucumber
- Peel, deseed, and puree one cucumber.
- Slice, deseed, and mash one jalapeno pepper.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
- Refrigerate for two hours and serve.
Ginger
- Mash one peach.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
- Peel and thinly slice eight pieces of ginger and stir.
Lemon
- Pulp one lemon.
- Add ice and water (sparkling or flat).
- Dust and mix one teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Other Methods to Increase Your Water Intake
Other than Crystal Light and fruity drinks, you can increase your water intake through different methods. Rather than drinking the necessary amount, you can eat it.
Consuming water-dense foods like fruits and vegetables will keep you hydrated. For instance, an apple contains approximately 84% water. Here are some other options to consider.
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Bell Pepper
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Orange
- Melons
- Berries
- Stone fruits
Aside from water-dense foods, you can also opt for a healthier drink, such as coconut water. Unlike Crystal Water, the latter has plenty of nutritious vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and phosphorus. Nonetheless, you’ll want to tread lightly with the tropical drink since it’s not as low-calorie as Crystal Water.