Gatorade is one of the most popular sports drinks in the world. It provides hydration and electrolytes to help athletes perform at their best.
Gatorade comes in both ready-to-drink bottled form and as a powder that you mix with water. But which is better - Gatorade powder or the bottled version?
Cost Comparison
One of the biggest differences between Gatorade powder and the bottled version is cost. Making Gatorade yourself from powder is significantly cheaper than buying pre-made bottles.
Here is a cost comparison of Gatorade powder vs bottled Gatorade:
| Product | Price | Quantity | Cost per 8 oz Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatorade Powder | $7.99 | 34 oz tub makes 10 quarts | $0.24 |
| Gatorade Bottles | $15.99 | 12 pack of 20 oz bottles | $0.66 |
As you can see, the powder is almost 3 times cheaper per serving than the individually bottled version.
Over the course of a year, this can lead to major cost savings. If you drink one 20 oz Gatorade per day, using powder would cost only $88 per year compared to $240 for the bottles.
Key Takeaway: Gatorade powder costs significantly less per serving compared to pre-made bottled Gatorade. Buying in powder form can save you hundreds per year if you drink Gatorade regularly.
Convenience
Another key difference is convenience. Bottled Gatorade is ready-to-drink with no preparation required. The powder version requires measuring and mixing the powder with water.
Bottled Gatorade is extremely convenient, especially if you are on-the-go. You can grab a bottle out of the fridge and take it in the car, to the gym, or wherever you need an electrolyte boost. There's no need to mix, measure or prepare anything.
The powder is less convenient since you have to mix it up into a drinkable form. However, it only takes about 30 seconds to stir the powder into water, so it's not a huge inconvenience. The powder also allows you to control the flavor strength to your liking by adding more or less powder.
If convenience is your top priority, bottled Gatorade is the way to go. But the powder isn't far behind in terms of ease of use.
Key Takeaway: Bottled Gatorade is highly convenient and ready-to-drink. The powder requires a small amount of prep but isn't overly inconvenient to mix up.
Shelf Life
Another difference is shelf life. Since bottled Gatorade is a ready-to-drink liquid, it has a shorter shelf life after opening compared to the powder.
Here is a comparison of the shelf life:
- Bottled Gatorade - lasts 3-5 days after opening when refrigerated
- Gatorade Powder - lasts 9-12 months when stored in a cool, dry place
The bottled version must be consumed within a few days of opening before it risks spoiling. Meanwhile, the powder lasts approximately a year when stored properly.
If you only use Gatorade occasionally, the powder is the better choice since you don't have to worry about unfinished bottles going bad after a few days. The long shelf life prevents waste.
However, if you drink Gatorade daily, the shorter shelf life of the bottles isn't really an issue. You'll finish each bottle quickly before opening a new one.
Key Takeaway: Gatorade powder has a much longer shelf life than pre-made bottled Gatorade. The powder lasts about a year after opening.
Nutrition
Gatorade powder and bottled Gatorade have the same basic nutrition when mixed according to instructions:
| Nutrition Facts | Per 8 oz Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 50 | |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Sodium | 110mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 30mg | 1% |
| Total Carbs | 14g | 5% |
| Sugars | 14g |
The powder and bottled versions contain the same essential electrolytes - sodium, potassium, and chloride. They also both have 14 grams of sugar and 50 calories per 8 ounce serving.
So there is no nutritional advantage of one format versus the other. Both provide an isotonic, balanced blend of carbs and electrolytes to rehydrate and refuel.
The only nutrition difference would be if you accidentally made the powder version incorrectly by adding too much or too little powder. Then the nutrition would vary. As long as you mix it right, they are nutritionally identical.
Key Takeaway: Gatorade powder and pre-made bottled Gatorade contain the same calories, carbs, sugars, and electrolytes when mixed properly.
Flavor
Another key difference between the two formats is flavor. While Gatorade powder and bottled Gatorade come in all the same flavor varieties, many people feel the flavors taste different.
In particular, some find the powder versions to be more bitter, artificial tasting, and not as flavorful. The bottled versions taste fresher and more vibrant.
However, others actually prefer the more concentrated, strong flavor of the powder version. It comes down to personal taste preferences.
If flavor is really important to you, it may be best to try both versions in your favorite flavors and see which you like better. Overall though, most people seem to prefer the flavor of ready-to-drink bottled Gatorade vs the powder.
Key Takeaway: Many people feel bottled Gatorade tastes better than the powder version due to a fresher, more vibrant flavor. But flavor preferences vary individually.
Variety
Gatorade powder comes in a more limited flavor selection compared to the ready-to-drink bottled version.
Here is a comparison of the flavors available:
Gatorade Powder Flavors:
- Orange
- Lemon-Lime
- Fruit Punch
- Glacier Freeze
- Riptide Rush
Gatorade Bottled Flavors:
- Orange
- Lemon-Lime
- Fruit Punch
- Glacier Freeze
- Riptide Rush
- Strawberry
- Grape
- Fruit Juice Blends
- Cool Blue
- Cool Citrus Cherry
- Fierce Green Apple
As you can see, the powder only comes in the 5 core flavors. The bottled version offers those flavors plus many additional unique flavor options like Cool Blue, Strawberry, and Fierce Green Apple.
So if you want variety, the bottled Gatorade provides many more flavors to choose from. But the powder does cover the 5 flavors most people stick to.
Customization
One advantage of Gatorade powder is that it allows for customization of your drink. Since you mix the powder yourself, you can control the flavor strength and sweetness.
Some people prefer to mix Gatorade powder extra strong for max flavor. Others mix it weak so it isn't as sweet. You can adjust it to your personal taste.
With the pre-made bottles, you have no control over the flavor intensity. It's pre-mixed to a standardized level.
So if you like to customize your sports drink, the powder is great. But if you prefer the standard consistent flavor of bottled Gatorade, then that may be better for you.
Key Takeaway: Gatorade powder allows you to customize the flavor intensity by adding more or less powder. Bottled Gatorade has a pre-set flavor strength.
Packaging and Waste
Gatorade powder is better in terms of environmental impact because it produces less packaging waste.
Bottled Gatorade generates a empty plastic bottle each time you drink one. Most of these bottles end up in landfills.
The powder only requires a plastic tub that contains dozens of servings. There's much less plastic used overall. Plus you can mix it in a reusable water bottle instead of disposable bottles.
So if you're eco-conscious and want to reduce plastic usage, go with the powder. It has a significantly lower environmental footprint.
However, the convenience and portability of disposable bottles may outweigh the waste considerations for some people. It's up to you to decide what's more important.
FAQs
Does Gatorade powder taste the same as the bottled version?
Many people feel Gatorade powder has a more artificial, bitter taste compared to the bottled version. However, when properly mixed the powder tastes quite similar to bottled Gatorade. Flavor preferences vary individually.
Does Gatorade powder go bad after mixing?
An open container of powder will last about a year when stored in a cool, dry place. But once Gatorade powder is mixed with water, it should be refrigerated and consumed within 3-5 days like pre-made Gatorade.
Can you take Gatorade powder on an airplane?
Yes, you can take pre-measured single-serve packets or sealed containers of Gatorade powder on an airplane. Larger loose tubs may not be allowed. Be sure to check TSA regulations.
Is it better to mix Gatorade powder with water or milk?
Water is recommended, as milk changes the flavor profile and nutrition of the sports drink. Mixing with milk makes it less ideal for hydration and electrolyte replenishment.
Does Gatorade powder have the same benefits as the liquid?
Yes, when mixed properly the powder provides identical hydration, carbohydrates, electrolytes, and performance benefits as ready-to-drink Gatorade. The format does not impact the intended benefits.
Conclusion
Gatorade powder and bottled Gatorade both provide the same hydration and electrolytes for exercise performance.
In the end, it comes down to your personal priorities. If saving money is crucial, powder is the clear winner. But for maximum convenience and flavor, pre-made bottles may be worth the extra cost for you.