"Healthier" water flavoring packets?

[Anonymous]

My teen DD is trying to drink more water and has realized that the best way for her to do this is to use those flavoring packets. She had some samples from camp and found a few (from Target) that she was willing to try. However, they all seem to have dozens of ingredients in them, including aspartame or sucralose. I'd prefer to get her something that doesn't have these and a bunch of unpronounceable ingredients in them.

These are the ones she sent me:
- https://www.target.com/p/punch-variety-sugar-free-drink-mix-30ct-market-pantry-8482/-/A-83704035#lnk=sametab
- https://www.target.com/p/lemonade-variety-sugar-free-drink-mix-30ct-market-pantry-8482/-/A-83704034#lnk=sametab
- https://www.target.com/p/wyler-39-s-light-watertok-island-variety-sugar-free-drink-mix-30ct/-/A-94803191#lnk=sametab

I now see that these are all sugar free, which I'm sure is at least part of the problem.

We got a mailing about a Twining's drink (https://www.target.com/p/twinings-refreshers-strawberry-and-raspberry-herbal-instant-tea-mix-3oz/-/A-94604585#lnk=sametab) that has sugar in it, but the rest of the ingredients seem to be good quality (as much as that's possible in a processed product).

Does anyone have suggestions for relatively healthy flavor packets to add to water? I've suggested cucumber and fruit and mint, but I think she wants the ease of the flavor packets. I'm just trying to find the healthiest version of this possible. Price is not much of a consideration; she only uses a little bit of the flavor packet in her water bottle, so it should last us longer than expected, and either way I'd prefer that she eat as healthy as possible.

[Anonymous]

Skratch? It's marketed to endurance athletes and expensive, but it's probably the "healthiest" version of a water-flavoring thing that comes in the form of a shelf-stable powder.

[Anonymous]

You can buy plain lemon juice in individual packets if that would work.
The problem with any of these is with her teeth - it's a lot better to sip on plain water all day then anything sugary or acidic.
If she is mostly drinking with meals or drinking a lot at once and then putting it aside it's less of a problem.

[Anonymous]

I like the Stur water flavorings. No artificial colors. Stevia only.

[Anonymous]

True Lemon is just crystallized lemon. There's also a lime version and an orange version - I can find the lemon one at some grocery stores (sometimes it's with the baking goods rather than the drink mixes), but usually have to order the other flavors. The same company does also make "lemonade" packets that have sugar, but the basic ones are just lemon.
https://www.amazon.com/Enhancer-Dispenser-Packets-Calorie-Flavoring/dp/B00E0N3OME/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.peS0--4BTd6GMrASiBjJ9hha1PeBHWO3BG5dv8JEvfPMaTMN07mzuGFYpchDjR3UYoO89YUmplxRHpYk9YZGb0VQmZ22WZa2-0bi-oNQj_lXIhVcVfi9hrlL3SJyfK_Nj4RsMiKm5ZNIEPEWdPv6jVQVOP8nl-m-iqQs0jMat4s9hbczAhV2QsqYgfKLHTbzUrgPNb1FBJQ42Gc6qAbIrA.cujvxAKogBm6985OgGmWDkd3tpK-FC8r4zaEl0s6uaE&dib_tag=se&keywords=true%2Blemon&qid=1761657669&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1&th=1

Other than that, I like the Liquid IV packets that have real sugar. I hate artificial sweetness for both taste and health reasons, and figure the quarter teaspoon or whatever I get of real sugar is just not that bad. I use the packets sparingly, though, not the full strength they call for.

[Anonymous]

She can also get a flavored tea bag and put it in a water bottle. It's not instant flavor like a packet, but if she's taking a water bottle to school or something, it'll gradually flavor the water over the course of the day.

[Anonymous]

Teaching her to drink water like a normal human being is a gift you can give her for her entire life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teaching her to drink water like a normal human being is a gift you can give her for her entire life.

Humans have been using "flavorings" for water for thousands of years.

[Anonymous]

+1 to True Lemon, True Lime, and True Grapefruit

[Anonymous]

IMO the liquid IV and similar taste awful. I’ve tried multiple flavors and they are just all really bad. I like plain water but the only “flavorings” i’ve ever liked are the true lemon varieties that other posters mentioned and good ol crystal light.

[Anonymous]

Use fresh lemon, lime and orange wedges. Cucumber is nice too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She can also get a flavored tea bag and put it in a water bottle. It's not instant flavor like a packet, but if she's taking a water bottle to school or something, it'll gradually flavor the water over the course of the day.

Raspberry Celestial Seasonings with/without a black tea teabag is nice.

I like sparkling water. Although it is not good for your teeth. These are my faves.

Topo Chico Tangerine Ginger
Perrier Blackberry
Perrier Lime
Kroger Simple Truth Pineapple

No artificial sweeteners in these.

[Anonymous]

Why are you forcing her to drink so much water? Just feed her more fruit and veg and soups and things and ditch the water bottle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skratch? It's marketed to endurance athletes and expensive, but it's probably the "healthiest" version of a water-flavoring thing that comes in the form of a shelf-stable powder.

+1; I like lemon-lime better than orange

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teaching her to drink water like a normal human being is a gift you can give her for her entire life.

Agree. She can drink plain water. I wouldn’t stress at all about how much water she is drinking. People are way too obsessed with water intake. She will drink if she is thirsty