Are you looking for energy drinks, but without all the sugar and carbs that often come with them?
Then, you’ve come to the right place.
While carbs are our main source of energy, consuming too much could lead to obesity and a number of other health problems. With plenty of energy drinks containing high amounts of sugar and calories, it can be difficult to find the one you need.
That is why in this article, I’ll be doing a deep dive on energy drinks without carbs, from what to look for in an energy drink to some good recommendations at the end. So, stick around…
Good Vs Bad Carbohydrates
First off, before we dive into the best brands that do away with carbs entirely, let’s get to know what good and bad carbs are.
In general, carbs are important for generating and providing energy for your body. Many dietary guidelines suggest that half our calories should come from carbohydrates, though the exact amount of carbs we actually should consume is still highly debated.
After all, there are a number of factors to be considered, such as age, body height, and weight, as well as lifestyle, and metabolic health. Many also claim that carbs are the biggest contributors to obesity, diabetes, and other illnesses, and thus should be avoided.
With that being said, while carbs are an essential nutrient, they’re still an important part of your diet. Plus, a number of carb-rich foods contain important nutrients like fiber and vitamins that your body needs.
Ultimately it boils down to making the right food choices and consuming certain foods in moderation.
Whole, single-ingredient foods are nutritious for everyone, no matter their carbohydrate content. Some foods that are a source of good carbs (complex carbohydrates) include:
- Vegetables and whole fruits
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains like pure oats, brown rice, and quinoa
- Tubers like potatoes
On the other hand, foods that contain bad carbs (simple carbohydrates) are best consumed in moderation, or completely avoided:
- Sodas
- Candy
- Desserts
- Processed foods like potato chips and crackers
In some cases, it might be best to cut out carbs, especially if your doctor advises you to. But, if you’re relatively healthy, you may actually perform better with carbs in your diet.
If you’re wondering whether it’s wise to avoid carbs completely, I’ll explain further below:
Is It Healthy To Cut Out Carbs?
In truth, it’s not really healthy to cut out carbs from your daily diet completely, unless you’re trying to lose weight, or you received advice from your doctor to do so temporarily.
It isn’t exactly healthy to cut out carbs entirely from your overall diet as it’s a main source of energy. Certain carb-rich foods like white bread and white rice can be consumed in smaller amounts since they’re low in nutrients.
Cutting off all carbohydrates from your diet would have a negative impact on your health in the long run. Picking healthier carb-rich meals and limiting sugary or greasy options is the best approach to consuming carbohydrates without worrying about excess calories and sugar.
What To Look For In Energy Drinks
Caffeine Content
Caffeine is a must-have ingredient in energy drinks to be effective, as it’s responsible for providing you with a boost, as well as improving your cognitive and physical performance.
The caffeine content of energy drinks can range from between 50mg to 300mg depending on the brand.
As such, it’s important to take note of your caffeine metabolism in deciding how much caffeine you’ll need from your selected energy drink. If your caffeine tolerance is relatively high, you would definitely need a pretty strong energy drink.
That said, you shouldn’t go crazy with the caffeine as the FDA recommends a daily caffeine limit of 400mg for healthy adults. Anything else that that and you might face unpleasant effects such as:
- Restlessness and shakiness
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
In any case, be sure to moderate your caffeine intake to a tolerable personal limit, and try not to frequently double down on caffeinated beverages.
Sugar
Sugar is another essential ingredient you need to consider when choosing your energy drink as it’s the main contributor to calories. The higher the sugar content of an energy drink, the more calories and carbs it likely contains.
While it’s okay to have some sugar every now and then, excessive consumption of sugar can lead to some serious health issues.
For guidance, the AHA advises a daily sugar limit of 25g for women and 36g for men. A diet fairly high in sugar could lead to health problems like:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Aging skin
- Weight gain
- High blood pressure
As most energy drinks have lots of sugar, sugar-free energy drinks are more preferable if you want to lose more weight, or reduce your sugar intake. Sugar-free energy drinks use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar, allowing you to satisfy your cravings without added sugars or additional calories.
That said, be sure to consume sugar-free energy drinks in moderation, and have them alongside a healthy and balanced meal.
Affordability
Getting a good price for your energy drink is also another important aspect to consider, as it could save you from spending too much on one thing.
With various brands of energy drinks out there, it can be pretty difficult to narrow down on the right brand that suits your preferences and needs.
But, if you keep a close eye out, you can easily find plenty of good energy drinks that won’t burn any holes in your pocket. You can also save a lot of money by paying attention to special discounts and deals online, which can get you individual packs of energy drinks at good prices.
Are Sugar-Free Energy Drinks Good For You?
Sugar-free energy drinks are good for your physical health temporarily, but like other energy drinks, it’s not wise to consume them in the long term.
Compared to sugary energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster, sugar-free pick-me-ups are much better for your health as they lack any unnecessary sugar or calories.
Plus, even without sugar, sugar-free energy drinks still provide you with an effective boost in energy levels and performance. Sugar-free energy drinks also taste sweet due to the presence of artificial sweeteners in them, helping you to satisfy your sweet tooth without directly indulging in sugar.
However, there are a number of concerns regarding the long-term side effects of artificial sweeteners. Some studies have reported that artificial sweeteners could harm your gut bacteria, leading to gut problems like celiac disease.
Furthermore, artificial sweeteners also condition your taste buds for sweetness, leaving you craving for more sugar, which leads you to feel entitled to eat more since these sweeteners don’t have calories.
In any case, just make sure to consume sugar-free energy drinks in moderation, and have them when you really need an extra boost.
Are Artificial Sweeteners Better Than Sugar?
Artificial sweeteners aren’t exactly better for your overall health compared to sugar.
Artificial sweeteners are FDA-approved sweeteners that are often in food products to improve their flavors and taste. Since they don’t contain carbs or calories, they’re attractive alternatives if you’re trying to lose weight or cut down on sugar.
That said, artificial sweeteners don’t contribute any nutrients that your body needs, and some studies have linked them to certain illnesses like weight gain and diabetes.
Thus, while you can enjoy artificially-sweetened energy drinks, be sure to consume them in moderation and monitor your daily consumption of energy drinks too.
Can You Drink Energy Drinks On a Keto Diet?
You can definitely drink energy drinks on keto, though you must make sure they’re carb-free or low in carbs.
If you need a boost while you’re on a keto diet, it’s completely okay to have an energy drink to get that caffeine kick. Plus, drinking an energy drink while on keto can significantly improve your performance and mental focus during your workouts, and you’ll also be able to keep going for quite some time.
That said, be sure to go for an energy drink that’s sugar-free or low in calories and carbs to stay in ketosis. If you’re looking for some good options for your keto diet, check out my article on the best energy drinks for a keto diet.
If you need some recommendations for energy drinks to go with your keto diet, have a look at the article I’ve written on the best energy drinks for a keto diet, for some of my personal favorites.
Is Red Bull Carb-Free?
Let’s take a look at the nutritional facts of a regular Red Bull first.
A regular 8.4 fl.oz can of Red Bull has 80mg of caffeine, 27g of sugars, 110 calories and 28g of carbohydrates.
Thus, it’s safe to assume that a regular can of Red Bull isn’t carb-free. That said, Red Bull does offer a sugar-free version, Sugarfree Red Bull, which is completely carb-free.
Best Energy Drinks Without Carbs
| Energy Drinks | Caffeine Content | Sugar | Calories |
| Celsius | 200mg | 0g | 0 calories |
| Raze | 300mg | 0g | 0 calories |
| Aspire | 80mg | 0g | 0 calories |
| REIZE | 50mg | 0g | 11 calories |
Celsius
Made with health in mind, Celsius is a sugar-free energy drink that features a nutritious list of natural ingredients for higher performance.
A single 12 fl. oz can of Celsius Energy is completely sugar-free and has 200mg of caffeine, along with a generous serving of amino acids, natural plant extracts, and vitamins.
Plus, Celsius Energy also boasts an extensive selection of flavors, which is a big bonus, especially if you like switching up flavors.
If you want to find out more about what exactly goes into a can of Celsius, check out the article I’ve written on the caffeine and ingredients of Celsius Energy Drink.
Raze
Formulated with a special Performance Complex, Raze is a powerful energy drink that offers a potent blend of stimulating ingredients for effective weight loss and clean energy.
A 16 fl. oz can of Raze is completely carb-free and contains 300mg of caffeine, with a number of amino acids like BCAAs and L-Carnitine, as well as electrolytes, making it suitable for workouts and weight loss programs.
Furthermore, Raze offers a wide variety of interesting flavors that may appeal to your tastes.
For an in-depth look at how Raze tastes and works, check out my review on Raze Energy Drink for my thoughts and experience with the drink.
Aspire
Advertised as a healthy energy drink, Aspire features a blend of natural and performance-enhancing ingredients, while keeping caffeine to a sensible level.
A 12 fl. oz can of Aspire is sugar-free and has 80mg of naturally sourced caffeine, a pretty moderate amount, along with plenty of amino acids and vitamins.
Plus, Aspire offers a decent selection of interesting fruit-inspired flavors that are worth a try.
If you’re wondering how good Aspire is for you on a daily, check out my article on whether you can drink Aspire every day or not for a detailed discussion on the matter.
REIZE (10 Out Of 10)
While the previously mentioned energy drinks are great, nothing quite beats REIZE in terms of caffeine content or pricing.
REIZE is a carb-free powdered energy drink that comes in light 4g sachets. It’s also sugar-free and has only 11 calories per serving, along with a sensible 50mg of caffeine.
Plus, REIZE also provides you with a smart blend of beneficial ingredients such as taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins that, when combined together, give you a smooth boost without the dreaded sugar crash.
The best part is that REIZE ships to your home for only $1 per sachet, which is amazing value for money.
Give REIZE a try, and you might find it to be the best energy drink without carbs.