The Worst Juices to Buy at Costco Right Now, Say Dietitians — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

If you’re looking for a healthy juice to buy at Costco, you may want to think twice before reaching for the first one you see. Dietitians have identified some of the worst juices to buy at Costco right now, and they’re not what you’d expect. From juices with added sugar to those with artificial sweeteners, these juices are not the best choice for your health. Read on to find out which juices you should avoid and why.

The Worst Juices to Buy at Costco Right Now, Say Dietitians — Eat This Not That

Costco is a great place to stock up on pantry staples, but when it comes to juices, it’s best to proceed with caution. While there are some great options, there are also some that are loaded with added sugars and artificial ingredients. To help you make the healthiest choice, we asked dietitians to weigh in on the worst juices to buy at Costco right now.

1. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail is a popular choice, but it’s not the healthiest. “This juice is loaded with added sugar and artificial ingredients,” says registered dietitian nutritionist, Jessica Levinson. “It contains high fructose corn syrup, which is a type of added sugar that can be harmful to your health when consumed in excess.”

2. Minute Maid Fruit Punch

Minute Maid Fruit Punch is another juice to avoid. “This juice is also loaded with added sugar and artificial ingredients,” says Levinson. “It contains high fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial colors and flavors.”

3. Welch’s Grape Juice

Welch’s Grape Juice is another juice to avoid. “This juice is also loaded with added sugar and artificial ingredients,” says Levinson. “It contains high fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial colors and flavors.”

4. Tropicana Orange Juice

Tropicana Orange Juice is another juice to avoid. “This juice is also loaded with added sugar and artificial ingredients,” says Levinson. “It contains high fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial colors and flavors.”

5. V8 Splash

V8 Splash is another juice to avoid. “This juice is also loaded with added sugar and artificial ingredients,” says Levinson. “It contains high fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial colors and flavors.”

The Bottom Line

When it comes to juices, it’s best to proceed with caution. While there are some great options, there are also some that are loaded with added sugars and artificial ingredients. To make the healthiest choice, avoid Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail, Minute Maid Fruit Punch, Welch’s Grape Juice, Tropicana Orange Juice, and V8 Splash.

Not all juices are created equal. In fact, a lot of them are made with a ton of added sugar that doesn’t come naturally. Costco‘s juice selection is, of course, pretty hefty, but several of the options are ones you should leave behind on the shelves so as to not have the bulk-sized option in your fridge.

Before we get into what you shouldn’t drink, here’s what you should: 100% juice. Before bringing juice home from Costco (or any grocery store), check out the nutrition label. You’re looking for juices that are primarily made with actual produce, not sugar or high fructose corn syrup. The added sugar content on the label will also tell you if you’re picking up something that’s way too loaded with the sweet stuff. If it’s labeled 100% juice on the front, check the label on the back, but most likely, this will be your best option!               

Now let’s get into the ones you want to avoid, according to food nutrition experts.

Related: 6 Things You’ll See at Costco This Year

sunny delight

Though delicious, Sunny D is a sad excuse for orange juice. It’s loaded with sugar and may actually make you more thirsty after you drink it.

“Made with 12 grams of added sugars and with high fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient, this drink is hardly the same as drinking 100% orange juice, which does not contain any added sugar or artificial ingredients,” says Charleston-based registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD.

Instead of this, you should reach for pure orange juice so you can get some important vitamins and minerals.

“If you’re interested in the vitamin C, you can also get that from 100% orange juice like this one,” adds Kacie Barnes, MCN, RDN, of Mama Knows Nutrition.

pressed juicery cold pressed juices

Juice cleanses like this one can be tempting, especially after a holiday or a vacation where you might have eaten or drunk more than you planned. Cleanses, however, aren’t really a good idea, though, Barnes says, and should be avoided.

“You don’t need to drink juice to ‘cleanse’ your body, your liver does that,” she says. “This three-day program will leave you with a headache, starving, and probably will lead to binging once you finish — if you can make it all the way through. I do not recommend.”

Instead of doing a cleanse, focus on eating well-balanced meals throughout the day and drinking plenty of water to jump back into a healthy eating plan.

Kirkland Lemonade
Costco

Another delicious juice that’ll do nothing for you is Kirkland’s lemonade. It makes sense that it would need to be pretty sweet to taste good — it is lemonade, after all — but it is very, very sweet.

“With 29 grams of added sugars and very little in the nutrition department, this lemonade is a sugar bomb that is essentially empty calories,” Manaker says.

You’re better off squeezing some fresh lemon into a glass of water for that hint of taste without the added sugar.

v8 splash juice drink fruit medley

V8’s drinks are ones that make you think you’re drinking something healthy because it’s advertised as having fruits and vegetables in it. And some of them aren’t too bad! V8 Splash, though, is not one of the better options from the collection, despite looking like it’s chock-full of fruit.

“V8 splash has added high fructose corn syrup, you’re going to get better nutrition from any of the 100% juice options that Costco sells,” Barnes says.

kool aid sour jammers

We love a kids’ drink as much as kids do, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Then again, you probably already knew Kool-Aid Jammers wasn’t a great option because of how sugary they are. You’d be correct in assuming so.

“With the second ingredient being high fructose corn syrup, and made with artificial colorings, this drink is not equivalent to the nutrition provided by 100% fruit juice — despite it being fruit flavored and colored,” Manaker says.

Though you could drink this juice sparingly as a treat, it’s not one you should have in regular rotation.

Costco Gatorade
Courtesy of Costco

The popular sports drink is probably not something you’re going to have with your breakfast, but it is still juice.

“It’s quite high in added sugar and I only recommend it for endurance athletes,” Barnes says.

It can give you a bit of a boost if you’re working out intensely, but otherwise, sticking with water is a better bet.