Bai on Keto: Low-Carb but Not the Top Choice for Weight Loss

Bai is known for its lineup of popular low-calorie drink options like antioxidant-infused waters, teas, and lemonades.¹

Before determining if Bai qualifies as clean or dirty keto, we will review its nutrition and ingredients before we figure out which sweeteners this company uses in their drinks to determine if Bai qualifies as clean keto or dirty keto.

However, solely carb-wise, yes–Bai is keto, but unfortunately it’s not the healthiest drink option for weight loss. For those looking for a tasty beverage that has cleaner ingredients, we provide a few low carb alternatives to Bai drinks that are better, and have more health benefits all around.

Is Bai Suitable for a Keto Diet? (Bai Net Carbs per Bottle)

To figure out whether or not Bai is suitable for trending diets–and the ketogenic diet in particular, which requires high fat, moderate protein, and low carb consumption with the goal of weight loss–we need to take a close look at the Bai net carbs.² When it comes to the Bai drink, keto friendly requirements call for the entire daily carbohydrates to be at or under 20-50 grams of net carbs per day, so each bottle of Bai beverages should be vastly below that threshold.

Although the Bai brand has several different products, we will use their most common and well known product called Bai antioxidant infusions for reference. Ingredients and nutrition facts vary just slightly from one flavor to the next, but these variations are quite minor and mostly for the differing colors and flavors.

Each 18 oz. bottle of Bai antioxidant infusions is considered one serving, consisting of 11 grams of total carbs per bottle but 10 grams of an artificial sweetener called erythritol. Since these sugar alcohols (along with fiber content, if there were any) can be subtracted from the total carbs, we end up with just 1 gram of net carbs per bottle of Bai.

To address whether Bai is keto-friendly, based on its carb content alone, the answer is yes. However, there may be more to the story when it comes to healthiness and whether Bai is clean keto or dirty keto.

What Does Bai Use To Sweeten Their Drinks?

For those curious what Bai uses to sweeten their drinks, we have found that Bai actually uses two sweeteners in their drinks–one natural and one artificial.

Their primary sweetener–erythritol–is a type of sugar alcohol that tastes similar to sugar and does not have the fake or lingering bitter aftertaste that some other artificial sweeteners have.³ Erythritol is both zero calorie and zero carb; however, erythritol and many other synthetic (highly processed) sugar substitutes tend to cause uncomfortable or even painful issues such as bloating, intestinal discomfort, or an upset stomach.

Source: KAL VISUALS from Unsplash⁴

Stevia, nature’s zero calorie sustainable sweetener is the other sweetener used in Bai drinks; it is much healthier than erythritol and other synthetic sweeteners, comes from natural sources (stevia plant leaves), and is sustainably produced to sweeten foods and drinks and aid in weight loss.⁵ Stevia is extremely sweet in comparison to table sugar (100-300 times sweeter), and has no caloric value, zero carbs, and no artificial ingredients.

Although stevia has been given the green light for keto, we cannot with clear conscience give erythritol full approval for the keto diet. The carbs are nonexistent so of course erythritol technically meets ketogenic requirements, but most Bai drinks would be labeled as “dirty keto”–which means something that falls within daily keto carb limits but is highly processed.

Is Bai Recommended for Weight Loss? (Are Bai Drinks Support Weight Loss?)

Now that we have addressed whether Bai is keto-friendly, we will move on to whether these beverages are good ​weight loss solutions. Specifically, we’ll address whether Bai is good for weight loss or if Bai drinks are good for weight loss.

Bai antioxidant infusions are merely 10 calories each with no fat content whatsoever, so they are suitable for consumption on most weight loss diets. While these refreshing drinks certainly aren’t bad for you, the very minimal nutritional value and the inclusion of the potentially harmful artificial sweetener erythritol means that these are not exactly healthy for you either.

Another concern with drinking Bai antioxidant infusions on keto is that one will get used to having sweet drinks and will develop and give in to constant cravings for something sweet, which could lead them to incorporating more sugar, artificial sweeteners, or other unhealthy ingredients into their regular diets.

All in all, Bai could be good for weight loss and is allowed on the ketogenic diet for weight loss due to being low in carb content, but there are several healthier options that would be a better choice.

Healthy, Ketogenic & Low Carb Alternatives to Bai Drinks

The long term effects of a ketogenic diet in obese patients are very promising, but it can feel very restricting to have to stick to so few carbs per day and many keto dieters consider giving up on weight loss due to feeling so restricted or confined.⁶ It can help a lot to have certain foods and drinks that one truly enjoys so that they do not get burnt out or give up on keto.

Therefore, we came up with a list of several ketogenic drinks to try instead of Bai antioxidant infusions that are not only low in carbs but healthier alternatives overall. These options are all completely natural with no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives.

Water

Although it may seem blatantly obvious that plain water is healthy, low carb, and keto approved, we decided to add it to our list since some people tend to opt for flavored beverages to hydrate. Pure water is obviously great for its ability to hydrate and its lack of any preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients, and nobody drinking water will ever have to be concerned about getting bumped out of ketosis.⁷

Fresh Fruit-Infused Water

Our next recommendation for a healthy and ketogenic alternative to Bai’s artificially sweetened drinks is water infused with fresh fruits. Whether one prefers infusing their water with just one type of fruit or berry or several at once, this is a great go to and is extremely healthy.

Not only that, but it will provide several health benefits and vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are good for the body. The health benefits will vary depending on the fruits and berries used, but have fun with it and try out different options or combinations to see what tastes best.

Bai Antioxidant Water

Although Bai’s most commonly found and best known antioxidant infusion drinks are not the best fit for keto–nor are most of their other product lines–Bai antioxidant waters are completely keto friendly, healthy, and are not only low in carbs but have no carb content whatsoever. Free of all sugars, fat, carbs, and calories, Bai antioxidant waters have just a few ingredients: purified water, potassium bicarbonate and magnesium sulfate (electrolytes), and sodium selenite (selenium).

Ultima Replenisher

Our most highly recommended alternative to Bai antioxidant infusions is an electrolyte packed hydration powder mix called Ultima Replenisher which offers clean hydration with plenty of electrolytes to help refuel and replenish the body. Each serving size (1 packet) is 3.6 grams and can be easily dissolved into 16 ounces of water to provide energy without any sugar, carbs, fat, or calories.

Source: Christine Sponchia via Pixabay⁸

Additionally, Ultima Replenisher does not use any artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or colors in their hydration electrolyte powders. Instead, they use organic stevia leaf–which is fully keto approved–to sweeten their mixes, and natural sources like turmeric and red beet concentrate for coloring.

Their mixes are packed with all 6 essential electrolytes and minerals that the body needs to function at peak capacity, and aid in even better and more efficient hydration than water alone.

Vitamins & Minerals in Each Serving of Ultima Replenisher (Based on 2000 Calories Per Day):

• Calcium:
  • 65 mg
  • 6% DV
• Chloride:
  • 78 mg
  • 4% DV
• Magnesium:
  • 100 mg
  • 25% DV
• Manganese:
  • 0.2 mg
  • 8% DV
• Phosphorus:
  • 70 mg
  • 6% DV
• Potassium:
  • 250 mg
  • 6% DV
• Vitamin C:
  • 100 mg
  • 110% DV
• Zinc:
  • 1 mg
  • 10% DV

Not only thirst quenching but delicious, Ultima Replenisher comes in both single serving sticks or packets, as well as canisters in either 30 serving or 90 serving options. They also have two “beauty mixes” which include not only the hydration and electrolyte replenishing ingredients, but also add collagen for strengthening hair, skin, and nails.

Flavors include:

• Appletini Mocktini
• Blue Raspberry
• Cherry Pomegranate
• Coconut Piña Colada
• Grape
• Lemon
• Mango Pineapple
• Orange
• Passionfruit
• Peach Bellini Mocktini
• Pink Lemonade
• Raspberry
• Strawberry Kiwi
• Tropical
• Watermelon

Bai Nutrition & Ingredients

Bai antioxidant infusions come in about a dozen different flavors and ingredients and nutrition values vary just slightly between them due to the differing ingredients used to get each flavor. However, most ingredients and macros are similar across the board and the caffeine content of these beverages is 55 mg per bottle, which is similar to the caffeine content of one cup of green tea.

Now let’s take a look at the ingredients and nutrition information of the Brasilia Blueberry antioxidant infusion for reference.

Ingredients:

• Filtered Water
• Erythritol
• Blueberry Juice Concentrate
• Malic Acid
• Strawberry Juice Concentrate
• Vegetable & Fruit Juice Concentrate (for color)
• Blackberry Juice Concentrate
• Tea Extract
• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
• Stevia Leaf Extract
• Citric Acid
• Natural Flavors
• Coffee Fruit Extract
• Sodium Citrate

Bai Antioxidant Infusion Mango Raspberry Keto Smoothie Recipe

We’ve not only clarified whether Bai is keto-friendly, but we’ve also explored several healthier, low-carb, and keto alternatives. Now it’s time to share how to make our favorite Bai keto smoothie recipe for the days you aren’t really craving the Tropical Smoothie keto options.

Named the “Bai antioxidant infusion mango raspberry keto smoothie”, this refreshing and healthy smoothie not only tastes amazing but will not kick anyone out of ketosis. This recipe is our own, but Bai has a multitude of recipes on their website as well, including not only smoothies but cocktails, mocktails, and food categories too.

Also, for those who notice we recommend almond milk and are curious is almond milk good for weight loss, we assure you that it is heart healthy, and low in carbs, calories, and sugar, among many other health benefits. Now let’s delve into this extremely quick, simple, and delicious recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
• ½ Cup Fresh Raspberries
• ½ Cup Spinach
• ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• ½ Cup Almond Milk
• ½ Bottle of Bai Malawi Mango Antioxidant Infusion

Step 1: Gather all ingredients
Step 2: Blend all ingredients thoroughly in a blender
Step 3: Pour into a cup or glass, garnish with berries or chia, and enjoy!

Note: These ingredients will make 2 servings

Source: Dennis Klein via Unsplash⁹

Bai antioxidant infusion drinks come in at least a dozen flavors that are all acceptable on the keto low carb diet but they would be classified as dirty keto. Although Bai is keto-friendly, it contains high levels of an artificial sweetener called erythritol, so we’ve compiled several alternative low carb ketogenic options that are much healthier.

Frequently Asked Questions