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Growing up, there were hardly any “healthy” soda brands available. Occasionally, we’d visit a small health food store in a hippy college town where I spent part of my childhood. Hansen’s was the main soda brand I recall seeing there. Fast forward 35 years, and the healthy soda market has blossomed. Today, there are numerous options for carbonated drinks with easily recognizable ingredients, and some even offer added nutrients. We consulted nutrition expert Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, to find out: What are the healthiest soda options? Here are 7 brands she identified that have the least artificial ingredients.
Spindrift
Spindrift is a brand you can easily find in mainstream stores, and it is a carbonated water choice that can be consumed with confidence. “Made with sparkling water and real fruit juice—no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives,” says Collingwood, highlighting it as “great for transparent simplicity.”
Zevia
My kids and I love Zevia, particularly the Grape flavor and the new limited-edition Peaches & Cream flavor we pick up at Whole Foods. The brand produces “zero-calorie sodas sweetened with stevia (and sometimes monk fruit),” according to Collingwood. “Free from artificial colors, preservatives, and sugar.”
Virgil’s
Another brand Collingwood endorses for having the fewest artificial sweeteners is Virgil’s. “Handcrafted sodas using natural flavors and cane sugar (or stevia in Zero Sugar line). No artificial colors, preservatives, or high-fructose corn syrup,” she says.
Olipop
Olipop, a trending soda brand, is also on her list, a “clean soda” enhanced with prebiotic fibers, plant-based sweeteners (stevia, cassava syrup), and natural flavors. “No artificial ingredients,” Collingwood confirms.
Poppi
Poppi has made a mark in the healthy soda world for having delicious flavors and minimal ingredients. “Sparkling prebiotic soda made with apple cider vinegar, prebiotics from agave/cassava, natural flavors, and sweetened with stevia and organic cane sugar. No artificial ingredients,” Collingwood says.
Reed’s
If you are a fan of ginger ale, stick to Reed’s sodas. “Ginger-based sodas featuring real ginger root, natural sweeteners, and no artificial colors or preservatives. Strong focus on clean formulation,” Collingwood states.
Hansen’s Natural Soda and Blue Sky
The OGs, Hansen’s Natural Soda and Blue Sky, are also on her list. “Both brands avoid artificial colors and preservatives and use cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup,” Collingwood says. “Hansen’s is known for flavors like kiwi strawberry and mandarin lime, while Blue Sky offers cane-sweetened, all-natural sodas.”
