I was watching a football game a week or so ago and saw an add for a new product from Gatorade – G2. Another sports drink? How many do we need? They already have regular Gatorade, Gatorade Endurance, Rain, AM and Propel just to name a few. Do we really need another? Apparently, Gatorade thinks we do.

G2 is a low calorie (25 calories for an 8 oz serving) drink with electrolytes. This is different from Propel which is fortified with vitamins. It also has 110 mg of sodium and 30 mg of potassium for that 8 oz serving.

Who might need G2? There are two groups to whom I’d recommend G2:
First, athletes who have problems staying hydrated and who need the extra sodium and potassium. An example would be a football player or an endurance athlete in the summer who is a heavy sweater without any blood pressure or water retention issues. These athletes should drink it before/after workouts – not necessarily as a during workout drink. Unless they are. . . .

Second, someone who has a workout which lasts less than an hour and has problems cramping or is a heavy salt sweater (again without any medical issues aggravated by additional sodium). Typically, if you are working out less than an hour you don’t need to take in energy (carbs). However, if you are a heavy salt sweater (one of those who has a salty ring on his/her shirt/hat or is crusty after a workout) and may suffer from cramps during the workout, this may be a better option than water.

However, just with any drink that has calories – even just 25 per 8 ounces, you need to watch how those can add unwanted weight. 32 ounces a day adds up to an extra pound over a month. Most athletes who would drink G2 don’t want to carry the extra weight those calories may bring. Just something to think about before substuiting G2 for good ol’ water. . . .

At least G2 has flavors I can understand: Fruit Punch, Orange and Grape.

If you give it a try, let me know what you think and how you used it.

Cheers!
Penny, RD, LD