Homemade Gatorade: Ditch Overpriced Sugary Drinks!
Homemade Gatorade just makes sense. Since Zad’s heart attack in 2021, we’ve completely revamped our approach to hydration and nutrition. Cutting out overpriced, sugary store-bought drinks was just the start. We’ve taken to making everything from scratch, from meals to beverages, to control what goes into our bodies. By opting for homemade options, we skip unnecessary additives and preservatives, ensuring every sip supports our health goals.
In this post, we’re excited to share our journey and our favorite recipe for homemade Gatorade. It’s easy to make, uses natural ingredients, and best of all, you’ll find a printable version of the recipe and a step-by-step YouTube video to guide you through the process. Join us in making informed choices about what we consume—because what we put into our bodies matters more than ever.
Why Should You Replace Storebought Gatorade?
Traditional store-bought Gatorade often comes loaded with excessive sugar and a laundry list of chemicals and artificial additives. While marketed as a replenishing sports drink, many find its high sugar content concerning, especially for those looking to maintain a healthier lifestyle. The abundance of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives further adds to its questionable nutritional profile.
In contrast, making homemade Gatorade offers a straightforward solution with minimal ingredients. By using just a few key components like water, electrolytes (from a pinch of salt), natural sweeteners such as honey or a touch of sugar, and fresh citrus juice for flavor, you can create a refreshing alternative that’s tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. This approach not only ensures you know exactly what you’re consuming but also allows you to adjust sweetness levels and experiment with different fruit juices or flavors.
This is a great go to for parents wanting to get “better” drinks into their kids on hot summer days or trying to keep a loved one hydrated at work, this is ag great, inexpensive option! By opting for homemade versions, you sidestep the pitfalls of excessive sugar and artificial additives, promoting a more natural and balanced approach to hydration. Embracing simplicity in ingredients often means embracing better control over what goes into your body, supporting overall well-being in the process.
What Kind of Fruit Juice Should I Use?
When opting for no sugar added fruit juice, whether store-bought or canned at home, it’s crucial to be mindful of additives like artificial sweeteners that can sneak into these products. Many commercially labeled “no sugar added” juices may still contain these additives to enhance flavor, so it’s essential to read labels carefully. Choosing brands or making your own ensures you have control over what’s in your juice, preserving its natural integrity without compromising on taste or health benefits.
Canning fruit juice at home is a fantastic way to enjoy seasonal flavors year-round. With just fresh fruit and a canning process that seals in nutrients and flavor, homemade canned juice offers a wholesome alternative to store-bought varieties. Check out our YouTube video where we demonstrate the steps to canning fruit juice, empowering you to enjoy homemade goodness at its freshest and healthiest. You can also simply can fruit, and use the juice from that, like I do in the Homemade Gatorade video!
Learn how to make Homemade Gatorade on our YouTube channel!
Homemade Gatorade
Equipment
- 1/2 Gallon Mason Jar with Lid
Ingredients
- 1 Pint Fruit Juice (We use the juice left from our home canned fruit, but whatever you have will work.)
- 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
- 1/4 Cup Sugar (You can also sub honey or your preferred sweetener here.)
- 1 Tablespoon Real Salt
- 1/2 Gallon Water (To top off jar once the other ingredients are in.)
Instructions
- Put lemon juice, fruit juice, salt, and sugar into jar. Shake.
- Fill to the top with water, fridge, and enjoy!
