I honestly can’t remember the first time I had any kind of sparkling water. I just remember that the first time I tried it as a child, I wasn’t a fan, but now I love the stuff. You may be asking if drinking sparkling waters like LaCroix can be enjoyed on a ketogenic diet, and here’s your answer.
LaCroix and other unsweetened sparkling water beverages may be consumed while following a keto diet. LaCroix and all other seltzer waters contain no calories or carbohydrates, making them acceptable as drinking plain water.
In this article, I’ll cover whether carbonated waters like La Croix are good or bad when following a ketogenic diet, if any of the flavored LaCroix’s have any carbohydrates, and some alternatives to LaCroix you may want to consider.
Table of Contents
Can You Drink LaCroix Or Other Carbonated Water On Keto?
So long as the carbonated water you’re drinking, whether that’s LaCroix or another brand, you should be fine drinking it while following a ketogenic diet.
Can sparkling water kick you out of ketosis? Unless the sparkling water has added carbohydrates, sparkling water will not kick you out of ketosis.
The only thing you should concern yourself with in terms of being kicked out of ketosis is the number of carbohydrates you consume.Since most sparkling waters like LaCroix have no carbohydrates, they are perfectly acceptable to drink on keto.
Does La Croix Have Any Carbs?
LaCroix brands itself as “naturally essence sparkling water.” As in, each of their flavors have 0 calories, 0 sweeteners, and even 0 sodium.
i.e., ZERO CarbsAll LaCroix varieties have no sugars, sweetness, or artificial ingredients.
And this all applies to every single flavor La Croix offers, which are:
- Limoncello
- Pasteque
- Hi-Biscusi
- Keylime
- Tangerine
- Apricot
- Mango
- Passionfruit
- Coconut
- Pamplemousse
- Peach-Pear
- Berry
- Orange
- Razz-Cranberry
- Lemon
- Lime
- Pure
- Mure Pepino
- Kiwi Sandia
- Melon pomelo
- Cerise Limon
- Pomme baya
- Pina fraise
- Lacola
- Coconut cola
- Coffee exotica
- Cubana
Is La Croix Healthy?
There is nothing contained within LaCroix that would be considered “unhealthy.”
LaCroix does not contain any genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Also, they do not use any type of sweeteners, natural or artificial.
LaCroix water is also triple-filtered and treated using reverse osmosis and deionization to remove any additives or impurities 1
All of LaCroix as of April 2019 are produced in cans without BPA liners.
In terms of the health or negatives of sparkling water, here are some common concerns.
Here is what may happen.
IBS
Carbonated beverages in specific individuals cause bloating and gas, which could potentially lead to a flare-up. If carbonated drinks like LaCroix cause discomfort, you may be better off eliminating them.
Now, for what doesn’t happen.
Tooth decay
Sparkling water like LaCroix is mostly plain water with air. As long as you’re drinking plain carbonated water with no added citric acid or sugar, you shouldn’t have to worry.
It’s generally the addition of acids, sugars, and salt that may lead to erosion of your teeth enamel.2
Calcium loss
A 2006 study involving over 2,500 people found that cola beverages were associated with low bone mineral density in women. However, other carbonated beverages did not have the same effect 3
Sodas contain phosphorous, which may increase calcium loss through the kidneys. LaCroix does not contain any phosphorous, so you’re safe on that end.
Want to know how to get calcium on keto?
Difference Between Sparkling Water And Other Waters
You may be confused about different kinds of carbonated water, I know I was. It turns out there is a difference between sparkling water, seltzer water, club soda, and tonic water.
Club soda
Club soda Is carbonated water infused with added minerals such as:
- Sodium chloride
- Potassium sulfate
- Disodium phosphate
- Sodium bicarbonate
The minerals are added to enhance the flavor of club soda, producing a slightly salty taste, and this is most welcomed while following a ketogenic diet.
Electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium, are vital while following a ketogenic diet to prevent harmful side-effects such as extreme tiredness or the keto-flu.
Seltzer water
Seltzer water is similar to club soda; it’s water that has been carbonated. However, unlike club soda, seltzer water does not contain added minerals.
Tonic water
Tonic water is similar to club soda; it’s carbonated water with added minerals.
The main difference with tonic water is that it generally has added sweeteners. Tonic water also contains quinine, the ingredient that gives tonic water its bitter taste 4
Tonic water is typically used if you were to ask for a mixed cocktail, for example, a gin and tonic.
And last but not least, sparkling water.
Sparkling water
Sparkling mineral water is naturally carbonated, as in those fizzy bubbles come naturally from a spring or well with naturally occurring carbonation.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mineral water must contain at least 250 parts per million (PPM) of dissolved solids (trace elements and minerals) from its originating source.5
Alternatives To La Croix On Keto
If LaCroix is hard to come by, or perhaps you’ve seen something similar, that’s because carbonated water sales have been growing every year.
Sales of sparkling mineral water are projected to reach 6 billion dollars per year by 2021. 6
Similar to LaCroix, you can find such brands as:
- Bubly
- Perrier
- Polar
- Kirkland
- Dasani
- Spindrift
All of these brands, except for Kirkland, which may be found at Costco, are all keto-friendly and do not contain any added sweeteners.
Not to be confused with a beverage like crystal light, propel fitness water or sparkling ice, which is keto-friendly, but does contain added sweeteners.
Additionally, you can also make sparkling water, club soda, or seltzer water at home using something like a soda stream, which is relatively inexpensive.
If you drink sparkling water regularly, I'd highly recommend one.
View or purchase a soda stream here.
The Takeaway
LaCroix is a keto-friendly beverage that you are free to indulge in. LaCroix is a 0 calorie and 0 carbohydrate beverage that is only flavored with ’natural essence.’
Meaning, each flavor is flavored using natural essence oils that have been extracted from the fruit of the specific character you’re consuming.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though.
In some folks, carbonated beverages may lead to gas and bloating. If this applies to you, it may be beneficial to eliminate LaCroix and other carbonated drinks from your diet.