Runner's refreshment

LACROIX: “IT RHYMES WITH ‘ENJOY’ ” Discovering LaCroix Sparkling water years ago, I found it a great way to slake my thirst after a long run and avoid the artificial ingredients spiking up the sweetness of many zero-calorie carbonated beverages. Back then sucralose was not as widely used as today, which has since worsened the situation in my opinion. At the time I was taking in quite a bit of diet soda daily, mostly cola products.
 
Another worry was about the effect of phosphoric, citric, and carbonic acids in various non-alcoholic drinks on tooth enamel. Some flavors of LaCroix contain citric acid; my two favorites were lime and grapefruit.  As a result I made the pilgrimage to the drinking-water-only shrine, but lasted less than a year on that regimen.  I eventually settled into a habit of splitting intake between LaCroix and 1-2 cans of diet pop per day. Cans provide the best carbonation kick if icy cold, in my opinion.
 
New LaCroix flavors have helped to create a significant following for this beverage among 18-35 year olds, such that it is no longer difficult to find. The drink was featured in a spicy New York Times online item, "Letter of Recommendation: LaCroix Sparkling Water" by Mary H.K. Choi.

Another NYT AskWell blog article by Sophie Egan, "Does Sparkling Water Have a Downside?",  discusses and mostly puts aside the dental issue for sparkling water versus other products. Checking out the LaCroix company website for nutritional information revealed a wonderful FAQ section. This is where the correct name pronunciation is given and the helpful ‘it rhymes with enjoy” is found.
 
If you’re searching for an after-run drink alternative to plain water and diet soda, think about sparkling water, keeping in mind the advice of the NYT Blog AskWell article.
 
RUN HAPPY!
 
Full disclose: I am not a food purist, although I wish I had the self-control. I spend my artificial sweetener allowance on sugar-free gum mostly.
 
NOTE: My go-to, self-invented, refreshing after-run drink (well it’s a variation of the old Brown Cow) is a “Dirty Cow” or a “White & Tan”; haven’t made my mind up yet as to the name. Add lots of ice cubes to a tall glass, fill it halfway with milk to cover the cubes, then slowly pour about a third to half can of A&W Diet Root Beer on top of the ice/milk, being careful not to let the foam spill over or the layers mix too much (the brownest layer should be on top, just below the foam, and the white milk layer is bottom-most).  As you drink down the top layer, refresh it with more Diet A&W. It’s delish! The advantage to this drink is that it provides some quick protein after a hot, long run, is thirst quenching, and represents about a ½ to full serving of dairy, depending on the size of the glass.
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/magazine/letter-of-recommendation-lacroix-sparkling-water.html?_r=0
 
http://www.lacroixwater.com/nutritional-faqs/
 
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/09/16/does-sparkling-water-have-a-downside/