That Drink has HOW MUCH SUGAR?

Written by: Mairead, Registered Dietitian

There are many good reasons to keep an eye on your sugar intake: heart health, concerns about blood sugars, weight loss goals, or just wanting to feel better. When we’re trying to look at sugar in our diets, drinks can be a big source. Many drinks have more sugar than we think – and they don’t even fill us up like food does!

Let’s look at a few common drinks, and find some lower sugar alternatives:

Tim Hortons large double double: 27g of sugar

Lower sugar options: Choose a small size (a small double double has 16g of sugar). Opt for only one sugar (13g in a large). Opt for artificial sweeteners if they’re a good fit for your goals.

Gatorade, 591ml bottle, fruit punch flavour: 34g of sugar

Lower sugar options: Opt for low sugar sports drinks with half the sugar, or no-sugar options. If you need electrolytes, there’s many products that don’t have sugar. If you just need something flavoured to drink, look for low sugar water flavouring products, like Mio.

Peach Tea, 695ml can, peach flavour: 40g sugar

Lower sugar options: Split a can with a friend (695ml is almost 3 cups of sugary drink!). Look for iced teas that are unsweetened or only lightly sweetened. Make your own iced tea at home and control the sugar.

Tim Hortons medium Iced Capp: 42g sugar

Lower sugar options: Choose a small instead of a medium. Choose an iced coffee instead (19g in a medium). Make this a once in a while treat!

Do you have another favourite summer drink? Check your labels and see how it stacks up! There may be more sugar there than you think. When in doubt, look for options without any sugar, and make water your main drink of choice!

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