Disclosure: I was provided with Vega Sport Hydrator free of charge through a campaign with Fit Approach. Rest assured all opinions expressed in this review are 100% honest and my own.
This year I’ve made one of my priorities to nail down proper pre/post nutrition when it comes to both my classes (as I teach multiple classes Monday-Thursday) and my own workouts.
In the winter months I don’t worry so much about hydration and electrolyte replacement as I don’t sweat nearly as much so for the most part water or coconut water is all I need/use. But now that we are getting (finally!) to some warmer weather, I’m certainly sweating more and feel the need to provide my body with a little extra something in the hydration department so when I was given the opportunity to review one of Vega’s Vega Sport products as a part of their #fuelyourbetter campaign I knew I wanted to try the Vega Sport Hydrator.
That’s not exactly true, I also wanted to try the hydrator because it was one of the only product in the Vega Sport line-up I don’t already have/use, and now that I’ve tried it I wonder what ever took me so long to give it a whirl!
I’ll be completely honest with you and say that I haven’t loved every Vega product I’ve tried, but Vega is still my go-to company when it comes to sports fuelling. Having said that, I can say that I absolutely a-d-o-r-e the electrolyte hydrator.
Back in the day I use to add Crystal Light or Mio to my water (because sometimes you get tired of drinking plain water), but stopped using them a few years ago because I didn’t like the ingredient list when I looked at it. Since then I’ve tried a few different electrolyte replacement drinks and really didn’t like any of them (I’m not counting coconut water here, I heart my coconut water!). There is one electrolyte replacement in particular that I was sent by a company that I had been forcing myself to drink to use it up but was really unhappy with it’s flavour, and the amount in each package. I hate it when you open a “single serve” package and they have given you enough to flavour like 2 litres of water, but tell you to put it in a 500ml bottle. What on earth am I suppose to do with the rest of the package once it’s open except toss it? That was the #1 thing I noticed (and loved!) about the Vega Sport Electrolyte Hydrator when it arrived- there is only a little bit in each package. It’s just the perfect amount (in my opinion) to flavour a bottle of water without going overboard. And the kicker? It tastes amazing!! I have the berry flavour and it is by far my favourite tasting electrolyte drink I’ve ever tried.
And when I checked the ingredient list I was pretty happy too (but with Vega I expect to be happy when I check the ingredient list)
It is sweetened with stevia, which I know some people don’t like the taste of, but I really don’t mind it at all (I already purchase stevia sweetened things so this was another plus for me) and I don’t notice any stevia aftertaste (but maybe that’s because I’m use to it). Pre-made hydrators (i.e. Powerade/Gatorade) bother my stomach so once again I was happy to have a more natural alternative that does the same thing – except better – and without any digestive issues!
As with anything, it comes down to personal preference but for me, Vega Sport Electrolyte Hydrator is a winner! When the box they sent me for this review runs out I will definitely be purchasing more – and I’m super happy to have added another brick in my #fuelyourbetter wall. If you have been looking for a good quality (and tasty!) electrolyte replacement I strongly urge you to try this! I haven’t tried the lemon lime flavour, but I can attest to the fact that berry is yumalicious!
I’ve been using Crystal Lite Pure, or TrueLemon. Both are made with stevia and have decent ingredient lists. My only issue with either of the mixes that I’m using right now is that they don’t really replace a whole lot, they mostly just flavor. I don’t care for Gatorade (and its make-up) either, so I rarely ever get it. I’ll have to check my local health food store for the lemon one, I know they have other Vega products.
Did you feel like it made a difference?
Oh, and I’ve run into that packet problem too. I dump about half and then fold up the little pouch and save the other half for the next time.
I don’t think we have TrueLemon in Canada, and Im’ not sure about the Crystal Lite Pure either. I have also used a water enhancer from President’s Choice that is sweetened with Stevia and I like it, but do notice a bit of the stevia aftertaste with it. But again that’s only for flavour.
I used the vega pre and post marathon this weekend and I think it really helped (especially post) since I stuck mostly to water during the race (I think I only had a couple mouthfuls of gatorade the whole course as I don’t like lemon lime gatorade). I didn’t feel “depleted” like I would if I had used only water. I think it’s less of an issue for traditional cardio/fitness classes unless it’s really warm and people are super sweating, but with endurance sports I certainly think it makes a difference!
YES! I’ve done the fold up and save trick too, except I never remember to keep a clip with me so I end up with powder all throughout my bag. Doh.
This is TrueLemon: http://www.truelemonstore.com/
Aah, gotcha with the little pouches. I’m never on the go with them, always mixing at home so I just set it upright in the pantry. I can absolutely see how storing the excess would be annoying while out and about.
Love reading your reviews. I bought a package of the vega one natritional shake to try. I will definitely pick up some of these to try after my runs.