The latest craze in the diet world is not “low-carb” or “low-fat,” it’s all about being ”natural.” In a recent study by the Hartman Group, it was found that natural is exactly what Americans are looking for when they make food and beverage choices (source). Americans are finally learning about the benefits of following a diet based on real, whole foods and the food industry is trying not to miss a beat.
In order to keep up with this fresh, natural approach, without losing revenue, food marketers are targeting your favorite unhealthy foods. Companies know that if they want to suck you in to buying their product, they better slap on a label that says it’s natural and re-invent its marketing approach. From sugary cereals to loaves of bread, the “natural” label is popping up everywhere. But how can we be so sure of what natural really means when soda companies like Sierra Mist have just come out with a new “natural” soda? With just “5 simple and natural ingredients,” Sierra Mist Natural is apparently the “reinvention of lemon-lime soda.” It is made with REAL sugar, NO preservatives or artificial flavors, and NO caffeine (sarcasm) (Source). Authentic simplicity or major crock?
The beverage:
- 100 calories
- 25 g sugar
- 25 g carbohydrate
- 20 mg sodium
- Ingredients: carbonated water, “natural flavor,” sugar, citric acid, and potassium citrate
Major Crock. Since I’ve already written a post about natural flavor, I’d like you to read that now. There is really nothing natural about natural flavor. Aside from that though, the real shocker is that there are 25 grams of sugar in one little can! Just so you know, that is a lot, REAL sugar or not. While there is no recommendation for how much sugar you should or should not consume in a day, I’ve heard it really shouldn’t exceed 30-40 grams of added sugars, which I still think is a lot! By drinking one measly can of this garbage, which won’t quench your thirst, you are getting almost ALL or even more than enough of the added sugars you should consume in one day. Doesn’t sound too appealing especially when sugar is so detrimental to your body’s functioning! According to Jennifer Fugo, certified health coach from Evolving Well, “sugar is highly acidic to the body, creates systemic inflammation, makes blood sugar go haywire, feeds gnarly bacteria and yeast in your digestive system, reduces your body’s immune system which opens the door to colds and the flu, and will leave you feeling exhausted, sluggish and downright crappy. Oh, and then you’ll be jonesing for it too…because its incredibly addictive to boot! No wonder everyone gets sick during and after the holidays!”
Well what about Sierra Mist free you ask?
The beverage:
- ingredients: carbonated water, citric acid, “natural flavors,” potassium citrate, aspartame, potassium benzoate, acesulfame potassium, ascorbic acid, and calcium disodium EDTA
- ZERO calories
- Zero sugar
- 25 mg sodium
Um, are there really 2 ingredients in that list that are on the CSPI’s list for dangerous ingredients you should avoid; aspartame and acesulfame potassium? Pretty “natural” no?
In my opinion, all soda should be avoided. I will admit I used to love diet soda and drank it pretty regularly. However, the more I learn, the less I want to drink it. I’m trying my best to phase out all soda completely and I think you should too!! There are much better ways to eat “naturally,” and I can tell you it doesn’t start from a can, box, or container! Don’t let yourself be fooled!! Anyone can claim their product is “natural,” but it is up to YOU to do the investigating! If you think it is too good to be true, it probably is!
Need more reasons NOT to drink soda? Read this article from Laury at The Fitness Dish!
I’ve been drinking less and less soda during the past year, I usually have some when eating out and try to avoid buying it, my bf loves soda! we’ll.. at least he’ll keep me busy trying to convert him to a non-soda drinker
How annoying, I know! The “natural” thing annoys me more than low-fat and low-carb because at least those options are better choices than others depending on the person and their needs. Marketing is so smart, catering to every trend in the population, but I also dislike that they prey on those who are not so nutrition savvy but trying to do the right thing.
great post! I’m so sick of seeing ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ on junk food… so misleading…
Great post!! It seems that this whole “natural” thing is taking place of “organic.” I hear so many patients telling me they purchased “organic” cookies thinking they are a healthy choice. It is still important to read labels and really know what is in the product.
I’ve never been much of a soda drinker and when I do, its sips of my husbands diet soda when we are eating out.
Good post, thanks alot for all that informations!
I tried to click on the article you last sited by Laury but it took me to this post- am I doing something wrong? Thanks!
Oh isn’t this crazy?!?! It shouldn’t be allowed as so many people don’t have the time or resources to be able to educate themselves on things like this and it’s so sad that they could be so midleading!
I gave up my soda “addiction” about a year ago. Now I can’t stand anything carbonated and I loathe artificial sweeteners. It’s amazing how fast our tastes can change. It’s really possible to change what we crave.
Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! Good post. I don’t drink soda…pop…whatever you want to call it, diet or sugared. I don’t prevent my kids from drinking it ( they are all teens now ) but I have always said, nothing good ever comes from pop….nothing. And only one of my kids chooses to occasionally have it. Its funny how your kids will follow your example…even though marketing tactics of manufactures find many ways to cram it down your throat…literally…lol
Thankfully I no longer drink pop and haven’t for about 3 or more years now. Yes, sometimes I’ve slipped up when drinking alcohol but that’s rare.
I’m pretty good at figuring out the gimmicks but I know that for the majority of people not interested in nutrition, it’s fairly easy to get sucked into all the marketing ploys.
I stopped drinking soda about 25 years ago when I wanted to lose weight. I realized I could drink my calories or eat them, and I decided to eat them instead. I never started drinking it again. It makes me thirstier, so good old tap water is my beverage of choice. As consumers, we need to be skeptical about everything we read or hear and always investigate the product claims.
I burst out laughing when I saw this…thank you so much for sharing this! Wow, it’s crazy how food companies will do or say or write anything about their products to get us to believe they are better for us than they really are. And thank you so much for sharing a quote from my Stevia article! It was a super pleasant surprise! I’m so glad that there is a coalition of us out there pushing back against the food establishment.
That’s crazy! I just don’t understand this. It’s crazy what people can get away with. It’s about educating the consumer, like you are continuing to do!
Great post!!! Like you, I drink diet sodas, but the more I read about them, we buy them less often….
Thanks as always for the info!!!
Great post Erin! I have given up diet carbonated drinks for about 2 months now and I can’t say I really miss them much. I used to love Diet Pepsi but really only drank it when I was out at restaurants or bars. I learned recently about the ability of carbonated drinks to inhibit calcium absorption in bones, making them weaker over time. And all those artificial ingredients? No thank you!
Wow- what a load of bologna!
I am so happy that you commented on my blog – just so that I could find yours!
I am so interested the facts behind soda and diet soda, as I used to be a big consumer of Diet Coke in the past. I still get a craving for soda now and then (mostly ginger ale) and I admit, I’ve been tempted to try this all “natural” drink and now I’m glad I talked myself out of it. You’re right – sugar is sugar, whether organic, white, or brown, it never the best choice. Great post and I look forward to reading more!
In the Sierra Mist Free there is also a deadly combo….the potassium benzoate and ascorbic acid can actually form benzene…a deadly carcinogenic. I wrote about it here a really long time ago, lol http://www.thefitnessdish.com/?p=34
I was never big on drinking pop. I much prefer to get my sugar fix through desserts.
Obviously, I know that’s not much better.
How about Wendy’s new “Natural Cut” french fries?
I literally laughed out loud when I saw that commercial for the first time. Marketing at its finest!
Good post. It’s so important to read the labels and ingredients of what you’re eating. They really tell the story – not the marketing gimmicks. Manufacturers are in it for the money – you’re the only one equipped to look out for your own best interests.