4 Sports Drinks You Didn't Realize Were Loaded With Sugar

From Delish

If you grew up playing sports, you're familiar with the sweet, sweet rush that came when you saw mom packed you a Gatorade instead of a water to sip on after practice. Neon-colored sports drinks like those were practically reason enough to participate in organized athletics. Problem is, your prepubescent, just worked-out body didn't need something that heavy duty to refuel. Many sports drinks target the masses, but they're better suited for hardcore athletes who need to replenish their sodium and glucose levels post gym sesh. Here are the ones you should avoid on an everyday basis.

Gatorade

The average 20-ounce bottle packs 34 grams of sugar, which is almost a third of a woman's recommended daily intake. The recovery protein shakes are almost as bad, at 20 grams of sugar.

Powerade

Since this stuff is Gatorade's competitor (it's owned by Coca-Cola, and Gatorade is a product of PepsiCo), it makes sense that its sugar content is identical: The 20-ounce bottles have 34 grams.

Vitaminwater

Don't be fooled by the name: Vitaminwater is not nearly as healthy as it sounds. You'll take in 32 grams of sugar for most 20-ounce bottles.

Chocolate Milk

Though sports teams tout this as the best post-game drink, it's still loaded with sugar. An 8-ounce bottle of Nesquik's chocolate milk has 22 grams of sugar, and Hershey's is even worse. Their 12-ounce bottle has 44 grams.

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