Complete Soda Guide
Comprehensive analysis of 200 soda and soft drink products from 90 brands. Compare sweeteners (HFCS vs sugar vs artificial), understand additives, and find healthier beverage alternatives.
200
Products Analyzed
90
Brands
5.2
Avg Processing Score
4.4/10
Avg Nutrition Score
Soda by Processing Level
Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed2
Simple sparkling water with natural flavors. Minimal ingredients.
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed96
Natural sodas with cane sugar and natural flavors or extracts.
Processing Level: 3 out of 4 - Highly Processed
Level 3
Highly Processed102
HFCS, artificial flavors, preservatives, or caramel color.
Processing Level: 4 out of 4 - Ultra-Processed
Level 4
Ultra-Processed0
Highly processed with artificial sweeteners, colors, and many additives.
Healthiest Soda Options
Top-rated sodas with minimal processing and better nutrition scores
Whole Foods Market, Juice, Lemonade, Lemonade
Whole Foods Market
Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally ProcessedProcessing:2.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Low Sodium Club Soda
Great Value
Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally ProcessedProcessing:2.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Lemonade From Concentrate, Raspberry
Tops
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Organic Lemonade
Member's Mark
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Strawberry Lemonade Juice
Whole Food Market
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Club Soda
Kroger
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Organic Lemonade Juice
7 Select
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Belvoir Fruit Farms, Organic Ginger Beer
Belvoir Fruit Farms
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Lemonade with Pulp
Giant Eagle
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.0
Nutrition:5.0/10
Lemonade, Pomegranate
Florida's Natural
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.5
Nutrition:5.0/10
Lemonade
Kroger
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.5
Nutrition:5.0/10
Root Beer with Probiotics Soda, Root Beer
Live
Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
ProcessedProcessing:3.5
Nutrition:5.0/10
How to Choose Healthier Soda
✓What to Look For
- •Short ingredient list: Best sodas have carbonated water, natural flavors, perhaps natural sweeteners
- •Low processing score: Look for sodas with processing scores under 5.0 (sparkling water typically scores 1.0-2.0)
- •Natural sweeteners: If sweetened, stevia is more natural than artificial sweeteners or HFCS
- •Sparkling water alternatives: Sparkling water with natural flavors or splash of juice as better options
- •Cane sugar over HFCS: If choosing regular soda occasionally, cane sugar is slightly better than HFCS
✗Red Flags to Avoid
- •High fructose corn syrup (HFCS): Highly processed sweetener linked to metabolic issues
- •Artificial sweeteners: Aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K are highly processed and controversial
- •Artificial colors: Caramel color, Red 40, Yellow 5, and other synthetic dyes
- •Preservatives: Sodium benzoate and other preservatives indicate higher processing
- •Excessive sugar: 12 oz soda typically contains 35-40g sugar (8-10 teaspoons), exceeding daily limits