Rethink Your Drink
It may be a habit to grab a soda while at the movies or a Gatorade after a long workout. However, these drinks have high added sugar content and when consumed frequently, can be detrimental for one’s health.
Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added to foods or beverages when they are processed or prepared. This does not include natural sugars such as those in milk and fruits. To identify added sugars, read the ingredient label on processed foods. Names for added sugars on food labels often have sugar in the name or end in “ose” which is used in biochemistry to form the names of sugars. One way to remember this is if it rhymes with “gross” then use in moderation.
Here’s a short list of some commonly consumed beverages and their sugar content:
Beverage - Amount of sugar in grams
Red Bull Energy Drink (8.3oz) - 27g
Mountain Dew (12oz) - 46g
Coca Cola (12oz) - 39g
A&W Root Beer (12oz) - 46.5g
McDonalds Sweet Tea (32oz) - 69g
Minute Maid Lemonade (8oz) - 27g
Minute Maid Orange Juice (8oz) - 24g
Capri Sun Pacific Cooler (6.75oz) - 18g
Nesquik Chocolate Milk (8oz) - 29g
These drinks were once consumed as occasional treats and performance boosting sports drinks. However, with the help of clever marketing strategies such as celebrity spokesman and marketing to the youth, these sugar filled drinks have become very popular.
I’m not saying you should completely avoid these products, but rather be informed so you can make educated decisions. I too enjoy an occasional chocolate milk, sports drink, soda or juicy but it is very important to drink them in moderation.