Food News: Beverage Costs

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans document provides a chart that shows that most of the added sugar in our diets comes from soda and juice drinks. You might want to point this out in your classes or newsletters – we got that idea from an e-mail chain letter we received.It is fun to compare the price of gasoline to common sweetened beverages. All prices are per gallon:

  • Gas: $3.42*
  • Pepsi: $2.56
  • Coke: $3.84
  • Capri Sun Pouches: $6.40
  • Propel: $6.40
  • Snapple: $7.68
  • Gatorade: $7.68
  • Arizona tea: $8.96
  • Juice boxes: $11.52
  • (Source: Prices in South Florida, March 2005)

The DGA?advises, “Individuals who consume food or beverages high in added sugars tend to consume more calories than those who consume food or beverages low in added sugars; they also tend to consume lower amounts of micronutrients. Although more research is needed, available prospective studies show a positive association between the consumption of calorically sweetened beverages and weight gain.”*Price of gas only -- updated 12/4/12

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Stephanie Ronco

Stephanie Ronco has been editing for Food and Health Communications since 2011. She graduated from Colorado College magna cum laude with distinction in Comparative Literature. She was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 2008.

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Quiz: How Calorie Savvy Are You?