Any ideas of cheaper way of getting Isotonoic Drinks?

CathyMoran · 15-08-2010 10:41AM #1

Hi, not sure if this is the correct forum - mods, please move as appropriate. I use a fair bit of the isotonic drinks as I am a type 1 diabetic who uses them to help with low blood sugars...however the ingredients in them are really bad, am not crazy about all the artificial sweeteners, not to mention the fact that they are expensive...any ideas, thanks.

copacetic · 15-08-2010 10:43AM

check out some recipes on the web, water, salt and miwadi works. You could add sugar to that.
Most of the recipes are to avoid the sugar and save money though so may not suit you, some will though

eg: from http://www.clontarfgaa.com/Coaching/Nutrition/tabid/536/Default.aspx

Recipe 1
200 mls Miwadi squash
1 litre water
pinch of salt

Recipe 2
500ml unsweetened fruit juice
500mls water
pinch of salt

Recipe 3
50g sugar
1 litre warm water
pinch of salt
sugar free squash for flavouring

Recipe 4
50g glucose powder (Tukes, Maxim, Isostar powder)
1 litre water
Pinch of salt

CathyMoran · 15-08-2010 10:50AM

Thanks, it just needs to be high in sugar, preferably glucose and readily absorbable.

copacetic · 15-08-2010 11:06AM

then you will need the glucose powders which aren't really cheap either. Try amazon.co.uk, they have a selection
and spend over 25 and get free delivery which is great for heavy stuff.
The salt helps with absorption which is key.

I'd try the last one, with added blackcurant sugar free squash to cut through the sharpness. See if it works for you and saves you money..

copacetic · 15-08-2010 11:12AM

also I should note that I tried this and couldn't get used to it. I switched back to Lucozade sport and tablet based sports drinks.

I stock up on Lucozade when tesco do their 2 for 1 offers on the 4 packs of it or a 4 pack for €2 sometimes. 50c a bottle is reasonable.

CathyMoran · 15-08-2010 11:15AM

copacetic wrote: »

then you will need the glucose powders which aren't really cheap either. The salt helps with absorption though.

I'd try the last one, with added blackcurant sugar free squash to cut through the sharpness. See if it works for you and saves you money..

OK and thanks, the price is not the main issue (was probably having a low blood sugar when I posted :eek:), we are just finding it hard to get the drinks (we use the Tesco ones for the most part) and I am trying to cut down on Aspartame and Acesulfame K in particular. I hate blackcurrant (am also allergic to it) so we are limited to the Orange ones (and I hate Mango :mad:). Thanks!

CathyMoran · 15-08-2010 11:18AM

copacetic wrote: »

also I should note that I tried this and couldn't get used to it. I switched back to Lucozade sport and tablet based sports drinks.

I stock up on Lucozade when tesco do their 2 for 1 offers on the 4 packs of it or a 4 pack for €2 sometimes. 50c a bottle is reasonable.

The Sport one is OK but I avoid caffine as we may be adding to our family again. Sorry, me confused about the tablet based sport drinks, what are they? Thanks for all your help thus far!

kilmuckridge · 15-08-2010 11:25AM

There is no need to buy expensive glucose powders. Glucose itself is very cheap, and if you add a pinch of mineral salt you should get some Ca, Mg etc. in it.
I would not add any pre-mix, just add 100 mls of your favourite fruit juice and 50-60g Glucose to a litre of water.

I would avoid the half juice half water mix also as it is mainly fructose.

If it tastes too bland you can squeeze in some lemon or lime

copacetic · 15-08-2010 11:25AM

CathyMoran wrote: »

The Sport one is OK but I avoid caffine as we may be adding to our family again. Sorry, me confused about the tablet based sport drinks, what are they? Thanks for all your help thus far!

they are electrolyte tablets you add to water. Mostly they are low/zero calorie non sugar though, so probably don't suit. They are great for running etc as you don't need to carry bulky bottles around.
http://www.nuun.com/faq.html

metamorphosis · 15-08-2010 11:25AM

What about adding glucose to a bottle of water and a squeeze of lemon/lime for taste.I buy a box of glucose in tescos for under a euro. You can get glucose tablets in most chemists too.

Khannie · 15-08-2010 11:34AM

I'd make my own with mi-wadi (or similar) and dextrose (or glucose) and a pinch of salt / lo-salt. You can figure out the total sugar content handy enough that way and just vary it according to how much you want to take in.

CathyMoran · 15-08-2010 11:41AM

ULstudent wrote: »

What about adding glucose to a bottle of water and a squeeze of lemon/lime for taste.I buy a box of glucose in tescos for under a euro. You can get glucose tablets in most chemists too.

The glucose tablets do not absorb fast enough for me - straight glucose might be an idea, sure it is no harm to try...I just hate that they add artificial sweetners to them, plus I hate the artifical colours...

Edit: Thanks Khannie too!

ciagr297 · 16-08-2010 02:12PM

I just bought one of the Spar own brand Orange Isotonic drinks - €1.09 for 500ml bottle

The ingredients are
Water, Glucose Fructose Syrup, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrates), Flavourings, Preservatives (Dimethyl Dicarbonate, Potassium Sorbate), Antioxidant(Ascorbic Acid), Sweetners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K), Stabiliser (Acacia Gum), Vitamins(Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, B6, B12), Colour(Beta Carotene)

Not as healthy as one you would make up yourself but if you are stuck its cheap, ready made and widely available

gavtron · 16-08-2010 04:21PM

HERE:
http://lifehacker.com/5334003/make-your-own-sports-drink-on-the-cheap

and here:
http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/rehydration-drinks?navbar=hw86827

centra do cheap sports drinks, not sure if it has aspartame in it but you can get 4 for €2

rubadub · 17-08-2010 09:51AM

copacetic wrote: »

then you will need the glucose powders which aren't really cheap either.

You get glucose in the babyfood section in supermarkets, usually €1-€1.20 for 500g of shamrock brand. Seems lots of people do not know this and they end up buying it in a chemist who will charge you a fortune.

Normal table salt is sodium chloride.

Dioralyte sachets contain rehydration salts consisting of sugars and salts (glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and disodium hydrogen citrate)

Lo-Lo salt is a mixture of sodium chloride & potassium chloride and usually would be a lot less expensive than trying to source potassium chloride on its own from a chemist or health/supplement shop.

Maltodextrin can be got in health shops or home brew supply shops. Usually cheaper in home brew shops in bulk. I think it is less sweet than glucose so might be more palatable.

Another idea is taking them hot, mix in the glucose with lemon juice in hot water, I drink this in winter, I like it a lot more than having it cold if I am not especially thirsty.

CathyMoran · 17-08-2010 10:00AM

Thanks rubadub...looks like I will be taking a walk down the the baby food isle for me and will get some of the Lo-Lo salt...

Any ideas of cheaper way of getting Isotonoic Drinks?

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