The Sweet Truth

A cool drink may have as much sugar as a sweet treat

By Holly Ford

As temperatures rise, the temptation is high to slurp down a super-sized cold beverage. But before you quench your thirst, consider how well you know your drink of choice. A list of the “Worst Drinks in America” compiled by Men’s Health Magazine brings to light some pretty surprising facts about some of the beverages we drink every day. One example: drinking a SoBe Green Tea is equivalent to eating four slices of cherry pie!

What’s lurking in your favorite beverage?

“People often forget about the hidden calories in beverages,” says Shannon Slovensky, an exercise physiologist with University of Virginia’s Club Red Clinic. “Drinks often can be loaded with sugar, and studies have shown that our increased consumption of these sugary drinks is associated with the rise in obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

Sugar makes you crave more sugar

Sugar on its own has no nutritional value. It does not contain vitamins and minerals and worst of all, its enticing taste keeps you coming back for more. You’ll satisfy your craving temporarily with a sugary beverage but ultimately it’ll leave you feeling empty and hungry for a snack. If you’re consuming 40 g of sugar and 360 calories in your morning coffee, your snack options are limited if you’re going to stay within the limits of a 2,000-calorie diet.

Names can be deceiving

To ensure you don’t drown out your good eating habits with a few beverages, be sure you know what you’re drinking. Skipping the whip on your latte or forgoing the second soda at lunch are obvious first steps. But sometimes those added calories are hidden in unlikely places. One of the worst offenders: Vitamin Water. Just because it says it’s water doesn’t mean it’s good for you. A 20-oz. bottle of Defence-flavored Vitamin Water has 32.5g of sugar – that’s more than a chocolate croissant from Panera Bread. So read the label or search for nutrition information online to find out what you’re really getting in your favorite drink.

Here are a few surprising drinks vs. eats comparisons:

SMART Goal: Slice up lemons, limes and oranges and keep in the fridge for a handy, healthy way to spruce up your bottled water.