coconut water as a sports drink
Last Post 25 Aug 2010 10:08 AM by cranberrycat. 8 Replies.
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paul
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23 Aug 2010 04:44 PM
    does anyone know if coconut water would fit the zone diet as an all-natural sports drink?

    i called the hotline, but they couldn't provide an answer.

    i know coconut water has been used intravenousely to save lives and my gym carries it as a sports drink. i like that it only has one ingredient, coconut water, is fat free, and contains only 12g of sugar per serving.

    i run 4x a week for 3 miles and lift 5x a week for about an hour and a half. i've been using it and it helps keep my energy up, but i'm not sure if it fits the zone diet.

    thanks
    Sue
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    23 Aug 2010 06:51 PM

    Hi Paul,

    From the nutrition data I found on coconut water, you'd consider 1 cup to be a little less than 1 block of unfavorable carbohydrate.  It wouldn't be a Zone friendly food.

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    sue

    Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

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    Sue Knorr

    Lost 100 lbs 18 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil.

    Consultant of Zone Labs
    paul
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    23 Aug 2010 06:59 PM
    thanks for the reply, but why is it unfavorable? it's only 12 g of sugar, 60 calories, and there is no fat or cholesterol. did you use the same nutritional information? thanks for the help.
    Sue
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    23 Aug 2010 07:25 PM
    Unfavorable because it is liquid carbohydrate (liquid carbohydrate spikes your blood sugar) and it's essentially coconut juice (juices are unfavorable carbohydrate for Zone purposes).  I used nutritiondata.com;  9 grams of carbohydrate and 3 grams of fiber per cup.
    Sue Knorr

    Lost 100 lbs 18 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil.

    Consultant of Zone Labs
    paul
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    23 Aug 2010 07:31 PM
    Thanks for the info. you're a great help.

    i think i'll have to break the zone diet for this one though. i've never felt so good during and after my workout. i used to cramp up towards the later part of my runs and now i don't.

    i know my body needs to recover and replenish and this is doing the trick. nothing else has come close.
    cranberrycat
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    23 Aug 2010 07:40 PM
    Paul, you could at least pair it up with a lean protein and a mono-fat, make a snack out of it. Perhaps still unfavorable, but the protein/fat should help you stay in the Zone.
    Cranberrycat

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    Steven
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    24 Aug 2010 02:29 PM
    Paul this really depends upon your goals. Are you looking to improve your fitness levels with the Zone or lose weight? If you're looking to improve fitness levels and not so much focused on the weight, then you're on the right track. Otherwise, both Cran and Sue make good points worth considering, should you have difficulty losing weight (if that's your intention)
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    Sue
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    24 Aug 2010 06:45 PM
    When a person's sole interest lies in improving their athletic performance or fitness level, it's much better for them to support their body and their workouts with Zone balanced nutrition recommendations, rather than consuming unfavorable carbohydrate in liquid form.  Elevated insulin will negatively impact athletic performance.  The more unfavoarable carbohydrate a person consumes, the higher their insulin level will usually be.
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    sue

    Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

    Consultant of Zone Labs

    Certified Zone Affiliate

    View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here:  http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

    View my classic Zone meal photos here:  http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0

     
    Sue Knorr

    Lost 100 lbs 18 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil.

    Consultant of Zone Labs
    cranberrycat
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    25 Aug 2010 10:08 AM

    I agree with Sue on that point, and adding some protein/fat to the drink will definitely help to diminish the effects of the elevated insulin.  Maybe not the best choice, but it is a zone recommendation to pair up carbs with protein and fat.
    Cranberrycat

    We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.



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