I'm sure there are people that will say it's important to drink water without adding anything to it, but like you I hate drinking water. If I hadn't added crystal light and other similar products I just wouldn't have had any water except what came from the diet pepsi I was drinking.
You have to decide what you can maintain for any length of time. If you hate something it's hard to keep doing it, even if you know it's good for you.
I don't like drinking water either, but I have to because I get kidney stones if I don't drink enough. I've learned just to drink it. But, I also like to add ice and a small wedge of lemon or lime or both. Makes a big difference.
If adding Crystal Light means you can drink more, then good! Do what you have to do.
I like water... but I also love the flavor zing from the pink lemonade. I add them when I want something different. Since I *know* it was the same bottle of water before hand, what's the difference?
I used to not care for drinking plain water but now I love it... don't know why.
I can even drink it straight from the tap unfiltered and unfiltered water tastes pretty nasty
Anyway, you might want to try using things like crystal light as a crutch to get you drinking more fluids and maybe try to wean yourself off it to see what happens. I really think you can learn to like water.
I get 2/3 my daily intake from plain water, and 1/3 from crystal light. Have you tried adding lemon or lime to your water? It helps tremendously if you don't like drinking water. It also helps absorb some extra salt as well and helps with bloating.
Plain water is over rated. If you don't have an issue with artifical sweeteners, then use them to yours heart content. I pretty much live off of tea sweetened with Splenda, or diet soda.
Plain water, of course, won't hurt you unless you get silly about it. Use whichever you like better.
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Crystal Light contains things like aspartame, corn syrup solids & maltodextrin so...based on that information alone, I don't drink it. Powdered Crystal Light contains aspartame, which has been known to cause stalls in weight loss for some. The ready made Crystal Light in the bottles is made with Splenda. But, for me, water means exactly that...water!
I mix all my water with Crystal Light - but I do buy the singles packets and mix two of those into a two liter jug, which is roughly halving the instructions on the packet (watering it down by half) -I love it this way! I just couldn't drink it 'full strength now, but I am not a water fan, either
Personally, I don't like the taste of Crystal Light, but if it helps you drink water, then try it out. Aspartame is not really the best stuff for you (it's not the worst either) but there are some people that feel it stalls weight loss or makes you crave more food.
You may want to also try other low calorie ways to jazz up your water consumption. I like herbal teas which add a lot of flavor without calories or artificial sweeteners. Lemon or lime wedges may be a good way to add a little taste too.