A Tale of Two Juices
Almost two years ago, I switched to a new doctor. This new doctor, unlike the previous quack general practitioner, wanted to see how healthy I was by giving me a physical. After some blood tests and an ultrasound, it was determined that I had a fatty liver and a small, or “silent” kidney stone.
During our post-test consultation, we discussed the fatty liver and the kidney stone. He asked me how much soda was I drinking, informing me that regular soda consumption can cause kidney stones. Wanting to be honest, I blurted out. “Maybe 4 cans a day,” which was a good per-day average. He continued, “You really need to be drinking less soda and more water and juices.”
Not wanting to give up my love of soda, but also really believing my doctor knew what he was talking about, I decided to try and ween myself off soda [goodbye Dr Pepper… I will miss you, with the exception of those occasional one-night stands].
Today, I drink maybe one soda a week (mostly mixed with alcohol – Crown and Coke is pretty tasty) and consume more water and juice. I’ve never been a juice person, but last year, I finally found one that I like: Vitamin Water XXX acai-blueberry-pomegranate.
This flavor is great and having tried some of the others, I really prefer this one. I know it’s got some carbs and calories, but who gives a shit about that… it’s the taste that matters, and more importantly, it’s not soda.
But at a buck a bottle on sale and as much as $1.99 at the corner convenience store, regular consumption can start to get pricey. So I started looking for alternatives.
My fiance’s sister makes a trip to Costco on a regular basis. So I asked her to pick me up some Vitamin Water, specifically the blueberry pomegranate flavor. She returned with a 24-pack of Kirkland VitaRain, and there were more flavors than just my favorite.
My first instinct was just to give away the other flavors and only keep their version of the blueberry-pomegranate. But I figured, what the hell, I’ll see what the others are like.
And The Winner is…..
* original boxing ring image can be purchased here
Based on the informal taste test I went through, I found there really was no difference between the two brands. But I’m going to have to stick with the Vitamin Water brand since Costco doesn’t sell a case of just the blueberry pomegranate flavor of VitaRain. Although once they do, I may switch over for the purpose of saving a few pennies.
FWIW, the 5 remaining VitaRain Tropical Citrus bottles are going to be placed inside the community fridge at work, hoping someone will take them.
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I was told excess vitamin C and antacid tablets are the worst offenders for kidney stones, followed by meat, calcium, THEN pop. Is there anything that DOESN’T cause kidney stones?
I’m beginning to ask that same question myself. In reading up further since you went through your ordeal, high concentration of calcium build up, including taking extra calcium (in the form of pills or capsules) can lead to kidney stones. And, as you mentioned, there’s so many other dietary forms of contracting a stone.
Before my new doctor prescribed Prevacid (I’m now taking Prilosec OTC because it’s cheaper and works the same), I was downing Tums like crazy, so I’m sure that combined with drinking a lot of soda, it didn’t help me. So far, I’ve been safe, but as you said in your blog entry, it’s a ticking time bomb.
I love that blueberry pomegranate flavor….so I am going to try your grand winner! I try to drink “smart juices” when I am craving something other than water. Don’t ask how but I’ve managed to make my life about only having a diet soda as a treat or when I am out. Scary, huh?
Diet soda as a treat? that is scary… he he.
I love the XXX flavor. It’s my favorite Vitamin Water and my wife’s fave as well. However, your disdain of that citrus flavor should not be limited to just the VitaRain brand. The Vitamin Water citrusy flavor is the only VW I won’t touch. It dyes the lid orange. What does that tell you?
Good to know that the Vitamin Water citrus flavor is just as bad. And I noticed the lid on the VitaRain was solid orange…. I just thought it was part of the package coloring. Tells me to avoid at all costs before my throat turns orange.
Hmmmm… I am going to stick with Crown and Coke…. BTW when are you going to mesquite again, my crown is about half gone already…. I knew I shouldn’t have invited Don over….
well of course, Crown and Coke beats a Vitamin Water. LOL
Mesquite run… not sure, but maybe we should plan a weekend golf trip in May.