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How Much Sugar is In that Drink?

Did you know that sugar-sweetened beverages are one of the biggest contributors to weight gain and obesity? There are many sneaky sources of sugar in both food and drinks that are all around us. Have you stopped to consider how many calories may be in the beverage you are consuming?

Common Beverages and Their Calorie/Sugar Content

Drink Serving Size Calories Sugar in grams / Teaspoons of sugar
Water Any 0 0 / 0
La Croix 1 can (12 oz) 0 0 / 0
Iced tea, unsweetened 1 glass (8-20 oz) 0 0 / 0
Coffee, brewed 1 mug (6-12 oz) 0 0 / 0
Milk, 2%* 1 cup (8 oz) 122 12 g / 3 tsp
Apple Juice* 1 juice box 101 24g / 6 tsp
Lemonade 1 juice box 93 24 g / 6 tsp
Coca-Cola 1 bottle (16 oz) 187 52 g / 13 tsp
Moutain Dew 1 bottle (16 oz) 232 62 g / 16 tsp
Arizona Tea 1 can (24 oz) 210 51 g / 13 tsp
Hot Chocolate 1 cup (8 oz) 192 24 g / 6 tsp
Gatorade 1 bottle (20 oz) 140 34 g  / 9 tsp
Vitamin Water 1 bottle (20 oz) 120 32 g / 8 tsp
Sobe (strawberry banana) 1 bottle (20 oz) 250 62 g / 16 tsp
Red Bull 1 small can (8.5 oz) 110 28 g / 7 g
Monster 1 can (16 oz) 200 54 g / 14 tsp
Cafe latte (Vanilla with 2% milk) Grande (16 oz) 250 35 g / 9 tsp
Starbucks Double Shot Energy Drink 1 can (15 oz) 210 25 g / 6 tsp
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Grande (16 oz) 270 32 g / 8 tsp
Starbucks Frappuccino (Vanilla Bean, no whipped cream) Grande (16 oz) 280 55 g / 14 tsp

 

 

Pina Colada Cocktail 1 glass (4.5 oz) 245 32 g / 8 tsp
Mike’s Hard Lemonade 1 bottle (11 oz) 220 32 g / 8 tsp
White Claw 1 can 110 4 g / 1 tsp
Red wine 1 glass (5 oz) 126 1 g / 0.25 tsp
Jamba Juice (Mango-a-go-go) Smoothie 1 medium (22 oz) 400 89 g / 22 tsp
Wendy’s Frosty (Chocolate) 1 small 340 47 g / 12 tsp
McDonald’s Mcflurry (Oreo) 1 regular 520 64 g / 16 tsp

 

The drinks that are listed from apple juice all the way down the list are beverages that should be consumed in moderation.

*Milk may have some sugar, but this is natural sugar and also is paired with protein and fat to help encourage growth, muscle tone, and feeling full. Because of this, milk can be consumed regularly unless you are lactose intolerant or concerned about the calories. There are always options for more or less fat (whole milk, 2%, skim, etc) – that is up to you and what matters to you in your diet!

*Apple juice can be confusing for some people to understand why this is a ‘drink in moderation’ beverage. Whole fruits can be consumed regularly with great health benefits because of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber involved. However, the juice alone does not include all of these benefits and should be consumed in moderation.

If you are interested in speaking with a CHI Health Registered Dietitian, learn more about their services online.

References: All information obtained from The Calorie King and/or the direct manufacture’s published nutrition facts.

CHI Health Food and Nutrition Services Team
CHI Health Food and Nutrition Services Team

These blogs are written by members of the CHI Health Nutrition Services team.

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