What's in Your Vitamin Water?

Posted Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 1:37 pm PDT

Remember when water was nothing more than plain old H20? These days, water can be packed with protein, fiber, and even tons of calories! Check it out...

Special K20 Protein Water - 5 grams of protein per serving!

We were pretty skeptical when we first heard about this protein-packed, fruit-flavored stuff. We're used to getting our protein from turkey slices and veggie burgers. But we have to say, these drinks taste good and are somewhat filling, too! The 16-oz. bottles have 50 calories and come in Lemon Twist, Mixed Berry, Strawberry Kiwi, and Tropical Blend. There are also 30-calorie drink mix packets (perfect for toting around in your purse or gym bag) -- those come in Iced Tea, Pink Lemonade, and Strawberry Kiwi. While we wouldn't recommend retiring your standard sources of protein, having an aqua option that packs a protein-punch is pretty cool.

Glacéau VitaminWater - 125 calories per bottle!

This vitamin-enhanced H20 sure does a good job of appearing good for you. And with all those vitamins, nutrients, and more, we don't doubt that it is. But so is a multi-vitamin, and that doesn't contain a whopping 125 calories! What's worse is the fact that a quick glance at the nutrition label might have you thinking it's only got 50 calories. But each 20-oz. bottle contains two and half servings, giving your bottle almost as many calories as a can of regular Coke! Just a friendly little heads up...

All-Bran Fiber Drink Mix - 10 grams of fiber per serving!

No, that's not a typo. One single-serving packet of this just-add-water drink mix contains 10 grams of fiber -- that's as much as a half-cup serving of the bran company's original high-fiber cereal! These come in Iced Tea and Pink Lemonade. All-Bran claims the 20-calorie packets will turn your water into a digestive health helper. And if you rarely eat fruits, veggies, and high-fiber snacks, these could be a good way to go. But we'll pretty much stick to fresh fruit, VitaTops, Fiber One bran cereal, and our Bake-tastic Butternut Squash Fries for our daily dose of fiber, thankyouverymuch!

SoBe Life Water - 100 calories per bottle!

You'd think a line of bottled water being hawked by a supermodel in its commercials would be calorie-friendly. The website even calls it "low in calories." But with sugar as the second ingredient, and two and a half 40-calorie servings per 20-oz. bottle (that's 100 calories for the whole thing!), we hardly consider this stuff low in calories. It is crammed full of vitamins and herbs, and it does come in tasty-sounding flavors, but we're just not down with dropping triple-digit calories on a bottle of water.

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76 Comments

1. Posted by wolfie on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 2:50 pm PDT

I think it's hilarious that everyone is attacking Glaceau Vitamin water! I replaced soda with this water and lost 50lbs. Common sense,.....it IS water with sugar in it for flavor. I personally cannot stand ANY artificial sweeteners, I think this water is fantastic.
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2. Posted by A.J. on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 3:05 pm PDT

Some people thinks it a recovery or vitamin water with lots of protein. it has a protein, but peeple only think they wanna drink it coz its healthy but bottom line.... its not gonna help u losing weight if u dont eat right and exercise regularly. I prefer drinking just plain water.
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3. Posted by redtreeslc on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 8:06 pm PDT

Whatever happened to the basics--eating healthy, in moderation, and exercising. Keep it simple...
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4. Posted by danduke on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, 9:41 pm PDT

Artificial, man-made chemicals mixed in to alter the natural taste and composition of pure, natural water was, is and will never be good to our body. Bad effects to our body (or parts of it) will manifest sooner or later, most of the time too late. Surely manufacturers of these "gimmick water" have only one intention, to make money out of the gullible and the lazy "health buffs" and appearance concious preys.. Another thing sure is they do not care a bit about the consumers' health. They are driven on their way to the banks in their limos laughing at their paying victims. I come from a long line of doctors in the family. I have been a longtime businessperson,. Eat natural, drink natural, all in moderation. All bodily movements are exercise, get enough. You'll be healthy and preasant looking.
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5. Posted by arani C on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 3:52 am PDT

Eat healthy, exercise, all things in moderation. Except when that doesn't work. If it was that easy, why do we have so many obese people in our society? Yeah, it's easy to shout that all we have to do is change our lifestyle. But I'm here to say that doesn't always work. It didn't work for me. It permanently ruined my health, and I had several doctors "supervising" my efforts.
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6. Posted by Sheila B on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 4:10 am PDT

I had my children ( ages 14, 12, & 8) read this, we have really been trying to make better choices and they thought that all water drinks were the same! While I have been teaching them to read labels, they are very trusting that if something says or looks like it is good for you, it is.Thank You HG for all the info I am able to pass on to my children and husband.
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7. Posted by bellesmommy422 on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 8:20 am PDT

Congrats Wolfie on losing 50 lbs. That's wonderful. I think that people need to just be aware of what they are drinking. These drinks might not be as good for you as plain water but they are much better then soda.
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8. Posted by Valerie P on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 11:35 am PDT

Read this and maybe you'll think twice about K20: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clampants/450727654/
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9. Posted by Katie W on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, 2:16 pm PDT

No more Big Gulps and I lost an easy 8 pounds..replace it with regular old water with a squeeze of lemon and viola, no extra unnecessary sugar!
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10. Posted by tiffanyc95 on Sun, Mar 23, 2008, 4:11 pm PDT

Ok here's my Opinion I think this is a great artical and It's really helping my diet alot. I mean I have already lost 4 pounds. YEPP and im happy and even though some of these drinks have alot of calories They help curve ur hunger and then you're not as hungery and eat less and lose weight it's that simple.
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11. Posted by Sara on Mon, Mar 24, 2008, 2:16 pm PDT

Okay in response to this article, I didn't realize how many calories were in Sobe life water and Vitamen water till now. However, I've switched to a dite where I'm cutting out pop competely, not even diet. The chemicals in diet make me sick, so I do use the sobe life water despsite it's 100 calories, however it beats out the more caloires in the pop, so I'd rather drink it.
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12. Posted by SiahLuv on Mon, Mar 24, 2008, 3:19 pm PDT

if you really love soda and need to get off of it. try some seltzer water with lemon or mint sprigs. it's very yummy. i'm crazy about it.
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13. Posted by Tametrice G on Tue, Mar 25, 2008, 5:20 pm PDT

I absolutely love the SoBe water. I am not a water drinker so this is the only way I will drink it. Plus it has all the vitamins that I need. I will continue to drink, but not on an everday basis.
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14. Posted by ms k on Tue, Mar 25, 2008, 5:30 pm PDT

I also drink Glaceau Vitamin water and yes, even though it has 125 cals a bottle, it beats drinking soda.. anyday! I am a devoted fan of vitamin waters and i have tryed just about all of them and i have to say, this one is the best tasting one, period! All the others may be lower in calories but taste like diet soda with their artificial sweetners, might as well just drink a diet soda while your at it.
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15. Posted by SMART PERSON on Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 12:32 pm PDT

Just drink water, I mean come on, look at how much sugar is in Vitamin Water. Shoot Vitamin Water compared to Gatorade-- I would definitely chose Gatorade (Better Taste and now they even have a lower calorie version). If you drink any of these drinks you definitely have to be playing in competetive sports in undesirable climates. If you are just merely trying to skip out on soda and deside to replace it with any of these high calorie, high sugar, sodium replacing liquids without doing any exercising than you are going about it the wrong way. If you are not playing any sports just watch what you eat, eat 5 to 6 times a day, high protein meals, high fiber meals, low sugar and carbs, and drink water, water, and water. If you play a sport, well you need to replace the vitamins and minerals you lose anyway so keep doing what you are doing.
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16. Posted by sajent on Wed, Mar 26, 2008, 2:42 pm PDT

Amazing what qualifies as Water. I just was given access to a new "Real Water" product with no calaories and some amazing benefits. Perfect Water... read more at: drinkperfectwater.com or saj.mychoices.biz/Retail/Home.aspx sounds to me like it could be a real water product worth checking out.
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17. Posted by threwup on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 8:44 am PDT

i drink loads of glaceau vitamin water and even fly this stuff in from the states when i'm overseas. i know about the claorie content but more than anything, i drink it for the taste and really enjoy it. i do try to eat right, workout and reward myself with this as a substitue for higher calorie drinks like juice and soda. i also drink a ton of regular water so this all works out for me at least. vitamin water rocks!
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18. Posted by HugeLHT on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 1:38 pm PDT

If I add a packet of All-Bran Fiber Drink Mix to a bottle of Special K20 Protein Water, I may never have to eat real food again!
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19. Posted by katieshines21 on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 6:50 pm PDT

i love vitamin water! i didnt know it was so bad for me. wow. im gonna definetely switching to special k! im thankful for that
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20. Posted by la musica bella on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 6:52 pm PDT

What is not noted is that all of the low calorie waters have sucralose in them. This is an artificial sweetener. You have to be careful and read the labels, especially if you have a reaction to sweeteners. The best option is plain water or to cut one of the flavored waters 1-1 with regular water. I do that and don't notice much of a difference.
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21. Posted by reallyitsmeyouarelookingfor on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 6:53 pm PDT

YOU will buy what you are told. You were trained from an early age to do as told by TV. Peer pressure causes you to buy .10 cent shoes for hundreds! It's amazing how stupid people are. Look around you right now. I make a great living selling you garbage. It was too easy to refuse. And the higher the price or limited supply makes you drop 8 - 12% more DAILY.
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22. Posted by Jodi on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 6:54 pm PDT

Whatever happened to drinking plain old water?
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23. Posted by sleigh e on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 6:55 pm PDT

I was shocked to see that these "healthy" vitamin waters have as many calories as soda pop! I used to drink tons of sugary drinks, but I was worried that all those calories were making me gain weight. Now I drink sparkling waters and a Slimming Herbal Tea and am happy that I don't crave soda or sugary drinks as much anymore. www.HealthyFastFoodStore.com
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24. Posted by keriocity on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 6:58 pm PDT

Some mornings when I'm running late for appointments I grab a bottle of vitamin water to drink in the car (it becomes a calorie substitute for breakfast), then the rest of the day it's water, 50/50 juice and water or unsweetened teas. I buy mostly glaceau, but, I love the sobe water commercial with the lizards doing their thriller imitation. I also buy the sobe elixers and split them 50/50 with water. Less calories, a little flavor ...
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25. Posted by aashleigh1518 on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 7:03 pm PDT

If you want the vitamins without the calories- you need to try simply nutrilite twist tubes. They are full of vitamins, taste great and you just add them to a bottle of water. XS energy drinks are also a great drink if you want low calorie, low carbs, no sugar and vitamins. These products are only available through quixtar independent business owners. https://www.quixtar.com/Documents/IWOV/VIS/010-en/pdf/Health/SN_CompInfoTwistTubes.pdf For more info, email aashleigh1518@yahoo.com
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26. Posted by aallstarjp on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 7:04 pm PDT

You can't stop the momentum of the Vitamin Water freight train! It's got enough flavors to suit all of us. I enjoy 4 or 5 flavors, and you may enjoy another few. They go great with lunch, and you can bring the leftover with you for later in the day. Nobody's forcing you to down the whole bottle AT ONCE, people! Huge props to the newest XXX flavor, and the always popular Power C.
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27. Posted by sweetiec007 on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 7:05 pm PDT

how bout who cares
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28. Posted by aplacewherethoughtscanbloom on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 7:05 pm PDT

i love vitamin water and its common sense! colored water most likely has sugar!!
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29. Posted by munsonmj20 on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 7:08 pm PDT

glaceau vitaminwater is great. everything in it is all natural unlike the other waters shown. that is why it is sold at whole foods and wild oats. it is a great alternative to soda.
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30. Posted by Kevin S on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, 7:10 pm PDT

Don't forget Propel Invigorating Water with 50 mg of caffeine. It's promoted as a lower caffeine alternative to coffee, but in reality it's a whole new category. Unless, of course, you're in one of those communities in which AP News reported caffeine in the tap water. Then its nothing new. Sorry Indianapolis. http://www.racedaynutrition.com/?p=58
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