Low Calorie Ideas.com

Ahhhh. Lemonade and summertime = perfection. Try out my super easy low calorie lemonade recipe that is made from scratch and stevia. It reminds me of the shaken lemonade that you get at the fair with way too much sugar!

I recently wrote an article on my fave low cal lemonade drink mix that I use when I’m in a hurry and on the go, but this recipe is quite simple to make. What I do need to mention before I begin with the recipe is that you’ll need to add lemons and stevia according to your taste. Additionally, some lemons may be bigger or juicier than others, so my ingredients aren’t set in stone. The great thing about this lemonade recipe is that you can just add a bit more water if too tart, or a bit more stevia.

You’ll Need:

• 8-10 oz cold spring water
• 2 fresh lemons (I use organic)
• 1-4 packets of stevia (again, this depends on the brand you use and the strength of the stevia in powdered form)
• 4-5 ice cubes
• Lemon juicer
• A shake-able container with lid
• Optional – lemon wedge and  spring of fresh mint for garnish

Directions:

1. Juice the lemons.
2. Pour the lemon juice and stevia into your shakeable container.
3. Shake really well (stevia needs some time to mix!)
4. Keep shaking.
5. Add in a few ounces of water and shake some more.
6. Add in half of the juiced lemon (if you’d like too).
7. Add in the ice.
8. Add the rest of the water.
9. And shake!!!!
10. Optional – garnish with a lemon wedge and/or sprig of fresh mint.

Variations

Sweet, tart, juicy, and delicious low calorie lemonade with just 5 calories! I’m still trying to figure out how 5 calories a serving can taste so luscious while remaining 100% natural. All you do is add this low calorie drink mix to cold bottled water! Did I mention it’s totally natural? (I did, but I just can’t believe it!)

Sweetened with Stevia, this low calorie lemonade mix is absolutely delicious. I honestly haven’t tried it yet in the original lemonade flavor, as I am totally content with the raspberry lemonade flavor. If you can’t find the flavor you want at your local store, try it out on Amazon in an awesome multi-pack!

My last post on here was about low calorie drink ideas without aspartame and I just made yet another totally delicious discovery – True Lemon’s Raspberry Lemonade Low Calorie Drink Mix! I was sitting at the beach the other day and a friend took two of those little drink mix packets out of her purse and handed me one. I said “no thanks, I don’t drink Crystal Light!” I looked closer at the packet and realized it wasn’t that, but something called ‘True Lemon’ in raspberry lemonade flavor. I added it to 16 oz of my bottle water and instantly loved it.

As I said, this mix comes in a little packet in powdered, crystallized form, that you can slip into your purse and add to cold bottle water on demand. The power mixes really well, with just a few shakes.

Here are the ingredients, which will pass the test for the discriminatory low calorie drink mix connoisseur:

Citric Acid, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Lemon Oil, Lemon Juice, Natural Raspberry Flavor and Other Natural Flavors, Rebiana (Stevia), Guar Gum and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). Contains Soy.

As you can see, it is sweetened with just a bit of cane juice (where the five calories comes from) and stevia (all natural; it comes from a plant) and won’t give you crazy migraines like aspartame might. It also has less than 1 carb and has 25% of your daily vitamin C serving.

In closing, just wanted to share this exciting find. I just ordered the multi-pack on Amazon as I’m excited to try the original and lime flavors. I’ve been meaning to post my own homemade and simple low calorie lemonade recipe on here for quite some time and will do so later this week. My recipe uses fresh squeezed lemon and stevia, but this powered mix is definitely the next best thing in terms of taste as well as convenience.

Have you tried True Lemon Raspberry Lemonade yet?  I wonder how long it has been on the market; it must be relatively new but I’m sure it will be a major hit. People are just getting tired of aspartame sweetened beverages, you know?

Sick of the bloating effects and worried about aspartame and artificial sweeteners that comprise your diet soda addiction? Read on for 3 totally satisfying low calorie drink ideas to keep your palate satisfied and ensure that you’re putting healthy fluids into your body to remain hydrated during the hot summer months.

Emergen-C  Vitamin Infused Low Calorie Drinks

Yum! At around 10 calories a pack, these drinks are bubbly, refreshing, and simply a delicious pick-me-up for that 2 pm drain when you may have otherwise reached for a diet cola. Keep a few packets of Emergen-C in your desk at work and use with about half a bottle of cold water for an awesome low calorie soda alternative. They’re also great to keep in your purse as you simply pour them into a few ounces of water (depending on your desired taste). Flavors include raspberry, lemon-lime (purchase on amazon for under $8 for 30 packets!), tangerine, tropical, and many more. Yum!

Oh, I totally forgot to mention, not only are these delish – they’re good for you. 1,000 mg of vitamin C per packet.  These are great for boosting the immune system. They’re like drinking a multi-vitamin, except you’re going to get way more benefits than that other pseudo “vitamin” water that is packed with calories. Depending on the flavor, you’ll reap the benefits of electrolytes, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and more…take that diet cola!

Cranberry Anti-Oxidant Power “Punch”

Cranberry juice, in an un-concentrated, organic and no-sugar added form, is absolutely incredible for you. However, it is quite strong to drink on its own. You don’t need much to get the benefits, so I enjoy just a bit and enjoy it as a satisfying  low calorie drink. I recommend mixing one or two tablespoons with 8 oz of iced spring water or even iced sparkling water. It’s a bit tart, but incredibly delicious and good for you! For a few calories more, I sometimes add 1 tbsp of un-concentrated, organic and no-sugar added cherry juice as well for an incredibly tasty anti-oxidant punch. You could also play around with your other favorite flavors, such as grape or blueberry.

Coconut Water

It’s expensive and you definitely are missing out if you’ve never had it fresh. Whenever I see coconuts for sale at my local grocery store for $2, I purchase them and drain the water for a delicious low calorie coconut water beverage. Just 45 calories for every 8 ounces! If you don’t have access to fresh coconuts, you may want to try a few different varieties locally before ordering your favorite online to save. I find that one container is usually around $2-$3, so I always buy my favorite brand, Zico, online.

Coconut water is incredibly refreshing and tastes best cold. It is highly enjoyable after an intense workout. I love that it has tons of potassium and is low in calories. Just make sure to get the original coconut water with no added flavors and sugar (some brands offer mango, pina colada, etc. but they have more calories and aren’t considered a low calorie beverage.)