With the rising popularity of flavored sparkling waters like LaCroix, many people are looking for tasty, healthy alternatives to sugary sodas and juices. Simply Limeade has emerged as one such option. But is drinking Simply Limeade actually good for you? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Simply Limeade?
Simply Limeade is a flavored limeade beverage made by Simply Beverages. It comes in a few different varieties, including original, coconut, raspberry, and strawberry. The main ingredients are filtered water, lime juice concentrate, natural flavors, citric acid, and erythritol. Unlike many soda alternatives, Simply Limeade does not contain any artificial sweeteners. The natural sweetener erythritol is used instead. Here is a nutritional breakdown for an 8 oz serving of original Simply Limeade:
| Calories | 5 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a serving of Simply Limeade is very low in calories, fat, and sugar compared to traditional sodas. But what about the specific ingredients – are they healthy?
Examining the Ingredients
Filtered Water
The main ingredient in Simply Limeade is filtered water. Staying hydrated by drinking adequate water is vital for overall health. Water helps transport nutrients, removes waste, and protects organs and tissue. So the high water content of Simply Limeade is a major plus.
Lime Juice Concentrate
Lime juice naturally contains beneficial plant compounds like flavonoids, Vitamin C, folate, and antioxidants. Studies show that limes may help boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol levels. The lime juice concentrate in Simply Limeade retains many of these beneficial nutrients while adding a tasty, tart flavor. Compared to lemon juice, lime juice tastes less sour which makes it more palatable for many people.
Natural Flavors
Simply Limeade contains natural flavors to enhance the lime taste. These are likely plant-derived compounds like oils and extracts. Natural flavors are typically safer and more nutritious than artificial flavors which are made in labs. However, the exact source of “natural flavors” doesn’t have to be disclosed. So it is difficult to assess their healthiness.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is added to Simply Limeade to sharpen the tart, acidic taste. This organic acid naturally occurs in citrus fruits. Small amounts of citric acid are generally recognized as safe by regulatory groups. It may also have antioxidant properties.
Erythritol
Instead of sugar, Simply Limeade is sweetened with erythritol. Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol found in fruits and fermented foods. Unlike table sugar, erythritol contains minimal calories and does not spike blood sugar levels. It also does not feed cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. Furthermore, erythritol does not usually cause the unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects associated with some other sugar alcohols like maltitol. So erythritol is considered one of the safest natural sugar substitute options.
Simply Limeade Nutrition Facts vs Soda
Now let’s compare the nutrition facts of Simply Limeade to a typical soda:
| Nutrition Facts | 8 oz Simply Limeade | 8 oz Coca Cola |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 5 | 90 |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 15mg | 25mg |
| Total Carbs | 1g | 26g |
| Sugars | 0g | 26g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
As you can see, Simply Limeade is much lower in calories, carbs, and added sugars compared to soda. A single serving packs only 5 calories and 1g of carbs, while the same amount of Coke has 90 calories and 26g of carbs. This drastic difference is because Simply Limeade is sweetened with erythritol rather than high fructose corn syrup like conventional soda.
Benefits vs Potential Drawbacks
Let’s summarize some of the key benefits and potential drawbacks of drinking Simply Limeade:
Benefits
- Very low in calories and sugar
- Sweetened with the natural, low-calorie sweetener erythritol
- Provides flavor and nutrients from real lime juice concentrate
- May help hydrate better than water alone
- More satisfying flavor than plain water
- No artificial sweeteners
- Low glycemic impact; won’t spike blood sugar
Potential Drawbacks
- “Natural flavors” source is ambiguous
- Acidic drinks could damage teeth over time
- Carbonation may cause digestive issues for some people
- Lacks protein, fiber, fat found in whole foods
- Higher cost than tap water
- Packaged in plastic; not as eco-friendly as tap water
Overall, Simply Limeade appears to be a much healthier flavored sparkling water option compared to soda and conventional fruit juice. However, plain water remains the healthiest beverage choice for daily hydration.
Is Simply Limeade Keto-Friendly?
The ketogenic or “keto” diet restricts carb intake to induce fat-burning ketosis. To stay in ketosis, carb intake on keto is usually limited to less than 50g per day.
With only 1g of carbs per serving, Simply Limeade can readily fit into a keto eating plan. It’s a great alternative to higher sugar drinks when following a ketogenic diet. Some specific benefits of Simply Limeade for keto dieters include:
- Extremely low carb; won’t disrupt ketosis
- No added sugar
- Sweetened with keto-approved erythritol
- Provides flavor variety
- May help keto dieters drink more fluids
- More interesting than plain water
So simply enjoying a few servings of Refreshingly Simple Limeade per day should not interfere with ketosis. It’s an ideal keto-friendly beverage choice.
The Bottom Line
Is Simply Limeade good for you? Overall, Simply Limeade is likely a healthier flavored sparkling water choice compared to traditional soda and juice. The combination of low calories, low sugar, and real lime juice makes it a better option than many unhealthy sugary beverages. While not as nutritious as whole foods and plain water, Simply Limeade can add flavor and variety as part of an overall healthy diet. It pairs especially well with a low-carb or ketogenic eating plan given the 1g net carbs per serving. Just be mindful of potential drawbacks like source of natural flavors, acidity, plastic packaging, and higher cost versus tap water.