It’s easy to make the assumption that a drink called “Vitamin Water” is healthy for you. You might also think that Vitamin Water is just that – water with vitamins. However, have you thought about what else might be in the drink? For example; the amount of sugar and calories? Vitamin Water is not as healthy as you might imagine. I did a bit of research and found an article in the Huffington Post which stated, “A bottle of vitamin water contains 33 grams of sugar, making it more akin to a soft drink than to a healthy beverage.” Do you know what that means? You might as well be drinking a soda.

The bottom line is that we should be aware of what we buy and consume and not get misled by marketing schemes. The very best way to get the daily vitamins our bodies need is to eat a well balanced diet with lots of fruits and veggies. If you don’t get enough vitamins from the food you eat, that’s when supplements might be necessary. If your health care provider feels that you could benefit from taking a multivitamin, I suggest that you spend your money on a real vitamin rather than expensive water with a few vitamins sprinkled in it. For those of you who think that drinking Vitamin Water is keeping you healthy, think again!

The best way to protect yourself from colds and the flu is to:

• Wash your hands often – this is the #1 way of preventing the spread of germs
• Get a flu shot
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water – if you don’t like plain water, try adding a squirt of lemon or lime juice.
• Get plenty of rest – 9 hours a night

-Erica