Optavia water infusers are compact, single-serving packets that can easily be taken on the go.
Simply add the packet to water and you have a delicious and hydrating drink that can help you reach your weight-loss goals, according to Optavia.
Today I’m reviewing Optavia infusers to see whether they can truly make staying hydrated fun and flavorful or if it’s all just wishful thinking.
My experience with Optavia calorie burn infusers
I started adding Optavia infusers to my water in the beginning of my 5 and 1 plan. My goal was to not only make my water taste better but also increase my daily intake.
In the past, I was pretty bad at drinking water.
I mean, I was nowhere near the 3.7 liters per day recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Not with my work schedule, anyway.
Although I did follow the Optavia rules by drinking only the drinks that were allowed on the 5 and 1 plan, I was never consistent with them.
In the beginning, I was using infusers twice per day. One with breafast Fueling, usually cereals or bar, and one with afternoon shake.
And while it made plain water more enjoyable, I did experience a strange artificial aftertaste due to the chemicals used.
How does Optavia infusers work?
Optavia states their water infusers are “metabolism boosters” and “help you break through a weight-loss plateau”.
According to their website, the Calorie Burn drink infusers helps to “keep the weight off once you have reached your goal.”
For me, I cannot say I noticed any benefits in terms of weight loss or digestion. One thing that I did notice was that my energy went up.
(I’m guessing that is due to the caffeine and green tea extract.)
How I prepare Optavia water enhancers
When it comes to preparation, we tried to infuse different liquids besides water, such as fruit juices and sparkling water.
But it didn’t end up well.
(Adding other beverages often potentially adds extra caloires.)
So I ended up mixing Essential 1 calorie burn mix with plain water, plus some essential oils, like orange or lemon grass.
Here’s the photo of how I like to prepare my Optavia Essential 1 calorie burn mix with cucumber in a small water jar.
When it comes to quantity, Optavia recommends you to mix one sachet with 16.9 fl. oz.
For me, that’s too sweet.
I often like to mix one sachet in the 26-ounce water jar and then leave it in the fridge overnight to cool down.
The largest amount of water I infused at one time was 32 fl oz.
In terms of water temperature, Optavia water flavorings can be mixed in both hot liquids and cold water.
I prefer to drink mine chilled, ideally with a tall glass of ice.
How long do the Optavia infusions last in the water?
The longest I kept infusers in the water was for 2-3 days.
The good news is they were still okay to drink.
I didn’t store them longer, so I don’t know for sure how long they last.
I would imagine that infused water can last up to a week if stored in a refrigerator, but beyond that, I would not drink it.
The quality may deteriorate and it may be best to discard it.
Although I’m not an expert, I think it’s always good idea to check for signs of spoilage, off odor, unusual taste, or visible mold, before drinking any infused water that has been in your frigde for an long period of time.
How many flavors Optavia infusers have?
Right now, there are’t many varieties of water infusers that Optavia offer. In fact, you can choose from two flavors:
- Essential 1 Calorie Burn Mixed Berry Flavor Infuser Drink Mix
- Essential 1 Calorie Burn Strawberry Lemonade Flavor Infuser Drink Mix
So if you ask me, the flavor selection is quite limited, especialy when compare to other brands.
The price for Optavia water infusers is $19.25 per box, which includes 21 servings. This makes it $0.90 per serving.
What ingredients are in the Optavia water infusers?
Optavia flavored water enhancers contain both caffeine and green tea extract, providing a natural boost of energy.
The exact amounts are 100mg of caffeine and 90mg of EGCG, both of which can be found on the company website.
Here is the rest of ingredients:
- Dextrin
- Green tea extract
- Citric acid
- Maltodextrin
- Malic acid
- Sucralose
- Caffeine
- Modified food starch
- Beet powder
- Natural and artificial flavors
Are Optavia water infusers low in calories?
Opting for flavored water infusions instead of sugary fruit juices is an easy way to manage your weight.
Each serving has only 5 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates, making it a low-calorie option for improving the taste of water.
Now, don’t get me wrong.
Plain water is still the best choice for individuals who are counting calories.
But mixing it with Optavia infusers can help to add flavor and make it more enjoyable.
Especially when used in place of high-calorie drinks.
In fact, it is a great low-calorie alternative to sugary drinks, such as sodas, fruit juices, and shakes.
One serving (330ml can) of regular soda has 133 caloires, and one cup of fruit juice has 136 calories.
Benefits
Let’s take a look at the benefits that an Optavia water infuser can bring and why they just might become a favorite part of anyone’s wellness routine.
Enhance the flavor of water
Water flavorings from Optavia can make drinking water more enjoyable and appealing.
Although they only offer two flavors, it’s enough to stay hydrated and maintain your Optavia program results.
Helps to drink more water
I must confess – I often forget to drink water, mainly becasue I’m lazy and I don’t have a consistent routine.
And while it’s still a “work in progress”, my water intake on Optavia got significantly better since I started to add water enhancers.
Apart from setting reminders on my phone, I often use Optavia infusers to make it easier to stay hydrated without adding extra calories.
May help with weight loss
Well, one of the pros of adding Optavia water infusers to your diet is their ingredient list – specifically caffeine and green tea extract (EGCG).
EGCG is an antioxidant found in green tea and has been shown to increase thermogenesis and fat oxidation, which can help the body burn more calories.
According to the randomized controlled trial published in the Clinical Nutrition Journal, “12 weeks of treatment with high-dose green tea extract resulted in weight loss, a smaller waist, and lower levels of cholesterol and LDL without any problems or side effects in women with central obesity.”
Offers convenience
Another benefit of using Optavia water enhancers is convenience. Thanks to the small size of the sachets, the Optavia infusers be taken on the go.
So now you can keep your hydration in check no matter where you are!
Drawbacks
Unfortunately, it’s not all good news – there are some drawbacks to using Optavia water infusers long term that could give you pause.
Let’s look at what the cons are and why they should be taken into consideration.
Limited flavor options
While Optavia infusers offer a boost of caffeine, they may not provide as much flavor variety compared to other water infusers that come with fruit, herb, and vitamin combinations.
However, those looking to just add a little bit of energy to their water might find the selection offered by Optavia perfectly adequate.
No electrolytes
While Optavia infusers contain caffeine, they don’t provide the same level of hydration or health benefits as other water enhancers that include electrolytes and vitamins.
So if you want to maximize your hydration and get extra nutrients, then it might be wise to look for an alternative product.
Caffeine sensitivity
For those sensitive to caffeine, using Optavia infusers may lead to side effects like jitters, anxiety, or insomnia.
Plus, some of the Fuelings also contain caffeine.
To minimize this risk, Optavia recommends limiting your caffeine intake to 300mg/day during the weight-loss phase, which equates to 3 servings of their Essential 1 Calorie Burn infusers.
Price
Optavia infusers come in boxes of 21 servings, with each serving costing $0.90.
While this price may be seen as a great deal, there are other brands on the market that offer Optavia approved water enhancers, at a lower cost.
So, would I recommend Optavia Infusers?
I don’t think I would.
Although I appreciate the fact that Optavia offers water enhancers, I personally prefer a dash of lemon or lime juice in my water.
Adding lemon or lime juice to water is a simple (and natural) way to enhance its flavor and make drinking water more enjoyable.
It can also serve as a helpful reminder to stay hydrated while following the Optavia diet.
Lemon and lime are also high in antioxidants and vitamin C, making them a healthy addition to your water.
Also, when it comes to store-bought water enhancers, safety concerns often arise.
According to a survey conducted in Texas, flavored water was the fourth most popular drink among 10 options, with 41.3% of respondents choosing it.
Despite its popularity, a study published in the Academy of General Dentistry Journal suggests that adding water enhancers to water significantly increases the risk of dental erosion due to high citric acid content.
With this in mind, my wife and I have compiled a list that includes both natural and store-bought water enhancers.
