coconut water and BCAA's are my favorite to drink during workouts and runs. made the switch never looked back...

also what is bad with gatorade, is its high sodium content. if you are like me, all that sodium gives me migraines. i stay away from it ! either go with water or like rmurphry Bcaa powder or pre work out powder.

wtf is wrong with sugar? nothing. BCAA's are will do close to nothing if you are already eating sufficient protein throughout the day. whole wheat pasta ends up as glucose, just like.... SUGAR!!! Eat in a calorie range that allows you to reach the goals you want while eating mostly foods that are micronutrient-dense and you are good to go. Fat scares and sugar scares are completely ignorant do some actual research.

sugar = poison. <a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/sugar-addiction-a-nation-in-need-of-rehab.html">http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/sugar-addiction-a-nation-in-need-of-rehab.html</a>

I do agree that sugar intake should be closely monitored, the purpose of Gatorade is not to help boost performance but to rehydrate. The high sodium and sugar content is good because it sets up osmotic gradients in your kidneys which causes them to reabsorb more water as you absorb the salts and other electrolytes. This also helps replace the electrolytes that you lost after you sweat it out. I am not a fan of either drink but they do the job they were crafted to do quite well.