Most sports drinks contain a problematic amount of sugar and artificial junk that in no way improve health or athletic performance. I’ve compiled a list of some great alternatives to many of today’s sugary sports drinks or low-quality protein shakes.

Sports drinks are everywhere from the grocery store to the gas station and we have all consumed them at some point in our lives – whether active or not. The reality is, most sports drinks are overrated sugar water with a minimal amount of electrolytes (or anything beneficial for that matter) that would help in recovery before or after a workout.

Most sports drinks contain a problematic amount of sugar and artificial junk that in no way improve health or athletic performance. Some researchers say these drinks can even “cancel out” the benefits of exercise for weight loss because of the amount of sugar.¹

When most people think of sports drinks they think of electrolytes, amino acids or protein, pre-workout, or some combination of the latter. Keep in mind, a healthy diet is always your best first step.

Here are my top alternatives to mainstream sports drinks and shakes.

Sports Drinks Alternatives: Electrolytes

Electrolytes are important. However, you’re often consuming more sugar than soda when drinking sports drinks (Gatorade® and Powerade®, for example) and doing yourself a disservice and negatively affecting your health. Coconut water is a popular alternative; however, buying and transporting it often can be expensive and impractical. Utilizing a better electrolyte product is a great way to replenish electrolytes lost from exercise or stay hydrated on a busy day.

Sports Drink Alternative Top Pick

1. Ultima Replenisher

Ultima powder is my favorite sports drink alternative for electrolytes for many reasons. They are committed to making a superior product and recently removed all fillers, including maltodextrin. The product is simple but effective offering a wide variety of electrolytes and is naturally colored and sweetened (with stevia). The product comes in a variety of flavors and also comes in travel packets that are great for sporting events, hiking, hunting, backpacking trips, and many other excursions that require lightweight materials. Grape is my favorite flavor. Shop now (or pick it up at my office.)

Amino Acid Alternatives

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and can be a great performance tool before or after a workout. They can also provide energy during an intermittent fasting regimen. However, most amino acid supplements come loaded with preservatives or artificial sweeteners that destroy good bacteria in the digestive tract and cause other health and performance problems down the road.

While many people are nervous to start chiropractic care, it is truly one of the safest and most effective options to improve your health and relieve pain. Medications and surgeries pose a much greater risk than a visit to your local chiropractor.

Safety first. Not only is “do no harm” part of the oath that doctors take, but it’s also a pretty good principle for all of us to live by. No matter how safe you are, there are times when you get hurt or injured, and finding a healthcare option that is safe, provides excellent results, and has high patient satisfaction can be tricky. Or is it? In 2007, SPINE (one of the world’s most respected research journals) looked at data from over 50,000 chiropractic adjustments given to nearly 20,000 patients, and they found chiropractic care to be incredibly safe and effective.

Awkward sleeping positions, poor posture, and long hours at a computer can all lead to neck pain. By staying active, taking periodic breaks to stretch throughout the day, and setting up your workstation to minimize the stress on your spine, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood you will encounter a bout of neck pain. It’s great to know that if you do end up experiencing neck pain, chiropractic adjustments are one of the safest and most effective options to help get you back on track.

• Research has shown chiropractic care to be extremely safe.
• SPINE examined nearly 20,000 patients and found zero complications.
• Up to 85% of people with acute neck pain found relief with chiropractic adjustments.

Believe it or not, many people are nervous to start chiropractic care. The truth is that chiropractic care is safer than many medications and has far less risk than surgery. Sharing research like this with your friends and family is a great idea. It will inspire them to make a smart decision using the research that matters!

Relieve pain, eliminate medications, and start feeling better now!

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Sources: 

• Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise With Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain- A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, Volume 156, 2012
• Safety of Chiropractic Manipulation of the Cervical Spine. SPINE, Volume 32, 2007
• Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Chiropractic Treatment of Adults with Neck Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 37. 2014
• Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care. SPINE, Volume 33. 2008

Headaches and neck pain are far too common – especially for those sitting at a desk, driving long hours, or bending over all day. Rather than suffering through the chronic pain, seek out chiropractic help, improve your posture, and add simple stretches and exercises to your daily routine.

You know that feeling – the one where you start to feel a headache coming on. For many people, it is a daily occurrence and often begins in the neck and shoulders. That’s right – tight muscles in your neck can result in tension headaches (also known as stress headaches). 

If you sit at a computer all day, your posture may also be contributing to a decreased range of motion, premature degenerative changes in your spine, and headaches – but there’s good news! There are a few simple steps you can take to help you feel less pain, increase your energy, and fend off those degenerative changes. 

You may be wondering, what can I do to relieve tension headaches? 

• Do neck stretches 
• Move more (exercise!)
• See a chiropractor
• Apply a cold compress
• Take frequent breaks
• Improve your posture

Chronic neck pain can rob you of the things you love. Enjoying your hobbies, taking a few moments to relax, and time with your family can all be affected. However, neck pain and headaches don’t have to be a part of your daily life. By understanding the latest research, you can take massive action to improve your health. 

New evidence-based guidelines strongly recommend a combination of exercise, stretching, and chiropractic adjustments to help reduce neck pain, headaches, and muscle tension.

Take your life back from pain with the following next steps:

• Try these stretches 
• Try these exercises
• Seek out your local, top-rated chiropractor. An amazing 85% of people receiving chiropractic adjustments for acute neck pain experienced significant improvement.

Your habits and lifestyle can make a massive impact. Start reducing neck pain today by taking breaks every hour and stretching out your neck and shoulders. (Tip: Set a reminder on your calendar, your phone, or smartwatch to remind you to stretch!) Take a brisk walk during lunch or hit the gym a few times a week to increase your activity levels. Finally, don’t forget about getting adjusted. Research proves that chiropractic adjustments are a smart decision!

Science Sources:

Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise with Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain- A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, Volume 156, 2012

Perceived Value of Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Exercise Among Seniors with Chronic Neck Pain: A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2014

Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Chiropractic Treatment of Adults with Neck Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 37. 2014

Outcomes from Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Confirmed Symptomatic Cervical Disk Herniation Patients Treated with High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulative Therapy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2013