Sugar Content of Common Beverages

     Beverages are a major source of calories in most peoples' diets. Changing out sugary beverages for water can, over time, reduce weight or prevent weight gain. I hear a lot of people say that they don't like to drink water because it "doesn't have any flavor". Take a look at this list to see the calorie levels of some common beverages. And find below a list of some beverages that are low calorie but still have "flavor"!
     Notice how many calories are in juice, even the 100%, no sugar added juice! People tend to think juice is healthy because it is made from fruit, but it contains a lot of sugar! Sugar, especially in liquid form, is absorbed into the blood stream very quickly and contributes to a rapid rise in blood sugar. Drinking juice on a regular basis contributes to weight gain just like pop.

Beverage                                                   Calories Per 12 Ounces
Pepsi                                                                  150 calories
Coca Cola                                                            146 calories
Mountain Dew                                                      165 calories
Orange Soda                                                        190 calories
Barq's Root Beer                                                  167 calories
Gatorade                                                               75 calories
Powerade                                                             120 calories
Kool-Aid                                                                90 calories
Orange Juice (100% Juice)                                    165 calories
Grape Juice (100% Juice, No Sugar Added)            196 calories
Fruit Punch (100% Juice, No Sugar Added)            178 calories
Apple-Grape (100% Juice, No Sugar Added)           183 calories
Budweiser                                                             145 calories
Bud Light                                                              110 calories
Red Wine                                                              245 calories
Starbucks Cappacino (Skim Milk)                           60 calories
Starbucks Mocha Frappacino                                 170 calories
Starbucks Mocha Frappacino (Light)                       95 calories
McDonald's Caramel Iced Coffee                            191 calories
McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee (Sugar Free)            85 calories
Dunkin Donuts Coffee (with Cream and Sugar)         144 calories
Whole Milk                                                            217 calories
2% Milk                                                                183 calories

Try these instead                                         Calories Per 12 Ounces     
Water                                                                   0 calories
Canada Dry Flavored Seltzer Waters                       0 calories
Diet Pop                                                               0 calories
Crystal Light Sugar Free Packets                            5 calories
Skim Milk                                                             136 calories


     Water is always best for hydration and to quench thirst! Remember what your mom said and shoot for 8 glasses per day! Invest in a reusable water bottle (http://nutritionall-rd.blogspot.com/2011/08/bottled-water-fad.html). Always take water with you in the car, while doing errands, to work, and to the gym, that way you will never be far from a quick sip!

     Don't drink your calories!

For calorie information on more common foods visit: http://www.calorieking.com/

Cheers,
Brittney