Is Gatorade Zero Keto? 

Yes - mostly. Gatorade Zero is a sugar-free sports drink that is designed to replenish electrolytes after strenuous activity. For keto, anything that can easily replenish electrolytes is a great addition to your arsenal, as you tend to shed potassium, magnesium, and sodium when you go into ketosis. While Gatorade Zero is fine for your macros, it does contain a lot of dyes, flavors and other not-so-clean additives that make it fine in a pinch, but there are better alternatives out there.

Keto Rating: Good

Gatorade Zero will fit into your keto macros just fine, as it only has 1 carb per bottle and it's otherwise calorie-free. If you're doing dirty keto or you're just not that concerned about dyes and artificial ingredients, Gatorade Zero might even be something you have on a regular basis. That said, if you're doing keto to clean up your diet, you might opt for something that is less artificial to get your electrolytes.

Examining Gatorade Zero for Keto

Gatorade Zero is a diet version of the most famous sports drink in history. If you've ever had Gatorade in general, you'll remember that it has a slightly salty taste from the addition of sodium. This is because exertion makes you sweat and sweat contains salt. Since your body relies on a specific balance of sodium to function, it is necessary that you're getting enough from your diet, particularly if you exercise regularly. 

Though Gatorade is held up as great for replenishing electrolytes, it's really not that good at it. There are many more drinks on the market and recipes you can make at home that do a better job, and we'll take a look at those, too.

Gatorade Zero for the Keto Diet

Gatorade Zero works as a tasty drink for when you're working out and need something quick to get back some energy. Between the artificial sweeteners which in excess can cause stomach problems and all of the dyes and preservatives, it's not something you should drink on a daily basis. Though it will fit in your macros on keto, it's not effective at giving back the electrolytes you need.

Gatorade Zero nutritional facts

Per 20oz serving:

• Calories: 5
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Carbs: 1g
• Sugar: 0g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugar alcohols: 0g

Even though Gatorade Zero does contain potassium and sodium, both are in very small doses, 2% and 10% respectively. Considering that keto dieters need more sodium per day than the average person, that 10% is probably more like 6% when you're not eating carbs. Let's look at some alternatives.

Keto Alternatives to Gatorade Zero

There are other companies that make sports drinks that are zero calories, and they all are with some merit, though many will fail in the same way Gatorade Zero does.

Powerade Zero

This is exactly how it sounds - a diet version of Powerade. It has a different taste than Gatorade but it's functionally similar. 

Powerade Zero nutritional facts

Per 20oz serving:

• Calories: 5
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Carbs: 1g
• Sugar: 0g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugar alcohols: 0g

Propel Fitness Water

Propel is just Gatorade without the dyes, and it's lightly flavored compared to its parent brand. This is closer to the product you would want to include in your keto diet, as it is less artificial than Powerade or Gatorade.

Propel nutritional facts

Per 20oz serving:

• Calories: 0
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Carbs: 0g
• Sugar: 0g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugar alcohols: 0g

LMNT Electrolyte packets

This brand of sports drink is designed specifically for keto, by some of the foremost minds in the keto fitness industry. Though it certainly doesn't taste as good as Gatorade or Propel, it has the right balance of electrolytes to keep your energy up and your muscles cramp-free when you're on a ketogenic diet.

LMNT nutritional facts

Per 20oz serving:

• Calories: 0
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Carbs: 0g
• Sugar: 0g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugar alcohols: 0g

Making your own keto electrolyte drinks

One of the biggest reasons to use electrolyte drinks on the keto diet is to beat the keto flu, which is largely caused by your body flushing sodium and magnesium. This occurs because your body stores glycogen in water within your muscles. When you don't eat carbs for a few days, your body uses that glycogen for energy and the water is expelled, which can cause you to excrete sodium, potassium, and magnesium as well.

Here are some of the best recipes for making electrolyte drinks at home so you can stay balanced and hydrated.

Keto Diet App Keto Flu Remedy

• This recipe from Keto Diet App tastes great and helps keep your electrolytes up, particularly during the first few weeks of keto. It calls for Natural Calm, which is a powdered magnesium supplement and is readily available on Amazon.

Low Carb Inspirations DIY Keto Electrolyte Drink

• While this recipe only replenishes sodium, you can add a 1/8 tsp of cream of tartar to help with potassium. It is worth noting that these drinks are intended to be sipped on all day - if you drink them all at once, it can cause stomach upset.

Gatorade Zero is a good addition to your keto diet routine

While Gatorade Zero isn't the cleanest drink, it won't put you out of ketosis and it does have some sodium (and a very small amount of potassium). If you love the taste of Gatorade and you are doing keto, this drink is perfect for you, but if you simply need something to help replenish electrolytes, you should opt for something else, like LMNT packets. Additionally, you can make your own keto electrolyte drinks very easily with the recipes we've included here, and you can tailor them to your needs (adding more sodium if you work out a lot).

If you want something to drink besides water, that doesn't have caffeine and that can be beneficial for your keto diet, Gatorade Zero (or one of the other approximations we listed) is a fine choice.