Honing Your Cooking Ritual

Posted on: 6 February 2017

If you like the taste of soda but don't like all of the sugar and artificial additives that it contains, opt for sugar-free water flavoring instead. Look for water flavorings that contain natural flavors, no artificial colors and no preservatives to keep your beverages healthy. 

When looking for the sugar-free flavorings, it's best to also steer clear of artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartime, which can have negatives effects on your body. All-natural water flavors are either unsweetened, or get their sweetness from fruit sources, such as fructose or sucrose. 

One of the biggest benefits of these flavorings is that they can entice you to drink more water throughout the day. To maintain proper hydration, it's generally recommended that you drink at least eight cups of water a day, which can be hard to do if you're bored by the bland taste. The flavorings can make drinking water a lot more enjoyable, so that you'll be less tempted to reach for a sugary carbonated beverage instead.

There are several different types of sugar-free water flavorings to choose from:

1. Citrus-Flavored Powders  

If you don't mind a slight tang to your water, go for an all-natural citrus-flavored powder that obtains all of its sweetness from lemons, oranges or limes. They contain nothing but the citrus flavor, so they're perfect if you're a drink purist. 

They, like a lot of other water flavorings, come in individual pouches so they're easy to throw into your purse or lunch or gym bag.  

2. Vitamin C-Enhanced Powders 

Vitamin-infused water flavorings are ideal for when you are sick or just tired, as they contain immunity-boosting vitamin C and sometimes a range of B vitamins as well. Some also contain electrolytes and minerals, which is important if you're dehydrated.

Because these vitamin-enriched flavors are naturally sugar-free, they're better for you than a lot of the sugar-laden commercial sports drinks, which often contain artificial colors as well. 

3. Liquid Flavor Enhancers

Along with the powdered water flavorings, you can find a wide range of liquid versions as well. They typically come in small, easy-to-carry bottles, and are available in flavors such as citrus, berry and even coconut. They may contain Stevia, which is naturally extracted from a plant, for sweetening, along with electrolytes to boost hydration.

Simply add the recommended amount of drops to a bottle of water and you'll have naturally flavored and sweetened water on the go. For more information, contact companies like Monin.