After an intense workout, the first thing we often reach for is a thirst-quenching beverage. If you are going to grab a sports drink you are not alone. In fact, sports drinks carry a variety of benefits. Water, carbs, and electrolytes all play a vital role for different aspects of exercise performance and are typically found in most popular sports drink brands. It is important to make sure you know what you are consuming, as some sports drinks can actually set you back after a workout. Keep reading, because we are going to look at the benefits of sports drinks and specific types to avoid.
When we are engaging in high intensity exercise, we typically sweat. We can sweat A LOT. With sweat comes loss of water and electrolytes. We can replenish with a sports drink containing both of these ingredients. Carbohydrates provide us with the energy we need to sustain a workout. When we consume carbohydrates before and during exercise it helps us stay engaged and energized in our workout. Beginning your workout consuming a sports drink and taking sips during the workout can help provide you with the carbohydrates you need. Sports drinks are specifically designed with the right combo of water, carbohydrates, and electrolytes for improvement of exercise performance as well as recovery. With this in mind, it is important to know which sports drinks to avoid.
There are popular sports drinks out there that are often advertised as “go to” beverages for exercise. It is a good idea to check out nutritional labels before grabbing a sports drink. Learn the math around body weight, calories burned during exercise, and your ideal calorie intake for the day. Some of these drinks can add unnecessary amounts of sodium, sugar, and carbohydrates that will end up throwing you off of your diet goals. Look out for ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners to stay on track with health goals. Gatorade, Powerade, and Vitamin Water are a few brands that carry a lot of sugar and have a high caloric count. Gatorade and Powerade also have high amounts of sodium, which increases thirst, often leading to consuming more than what is recommended as a serving.
Sports drinks are popular and can be easy drinks to reach for following a workout. There are benefits of consuming sports drinks, but it is also important to recognize there are certain drinks that are best avoided. Understanding your daily caloric intake and your activity level and weight loss goals are a good place to start in making a decision around what sports drinks you will allow in your diet.
