I Avoid Most Juice Brands, But These 5 Are Ones My Kids Actually Like

Juice is one of those drinks that can be tricky for parents. It is often marketed as a better-for-you choice because it comes from fruit, but many store-bought juices are still high in sugar, and some brands add extra sweeteners, artificial colors, or kid-friendly packaging that makes them even harder to pass up.

Whole fruit is usually the better everyday choice because it includes fiber and helps kids feel fuller. Still, juice can have a place in the fridge when you choose carefully and serve it in moderation. For my family, that usually means looking for options made with 100% juice, no added sugar, no artificial colors, and reasonable sugar amounts per serving.

I do try to encourage water or milk most of the time, but I also know real family life is not perfect. Whether it is for lunchboxes, a road trip, a quick snack, or a special treat, these are the five juice brands I feel better about buying and that my kids will actually drink.

It's hard to say no to Capri Sun pouches, considering they remind me of my own childhood. But this is actually one of the brands I would choose over most other juices because of the relatively minimal amount of sugar in each pouch.

Although most of the Capri Sun pouches are made from concentrate, one pouch only has 11 total grams of sugar. Capri Sun does offer a 100% juice option, but we prefer to avoid buying that one since it has nearly twice as much sugar in one pouch.

Apple & Eve is another popular juice brand that we love buying for our family. This brand has an organic option, 100% juice option, and even a Sesame Street line of juices (which my toddler loves).

Apple & Eve juice is made without added sugar and without artificial colors or sweeteners. The only ingredients for the Apple & Eve apple juice are filtered water, apple juice concentrate, ascorbic acid, and L-malic acid. If we do purchase this juice, we stick to the smaller serving sizes since the 4-oz juice box only has 13 grams of sugar.

Good2Grow is one of the more popular juice brands out there for kids, and it's no wonder why. The top of each juice bottle has a different character, and they have plenty of options to choose from. This brand sells juices, milks, and snacks with reusable character tops that kids love.

Good2Grow isn't always the first juice I purchase, mainly because of the cost. However, I love the options they offer with a 100% juice variety, an organic 75% less sugar variety, and an antioxidant blend. The 100% juice option only has concentrated apple juice, ascorbic acid, and natural flavors with 18 grams of sugar.

Juicy Juice is another brand that comes with a wave of nostalgia for me. I can still hear the "100% juice for 100% kids" slogan in my head every time the brand is mentioned. Even to this day, it's one of my favorite juice brands.

Juicy Juice comes in three varieties: 100% Juice, Organics, and Immune System Support. The juice boxes are made with 100% juice and without any added sugar. One juice box has 14 grams of sugar and comes in Fruit Punch and Apple. The Immune System Support comes with an extra dose of vitamin C and zinc, with flavors such as Orange Mango, Strawberry Apple, and Berry Punch. These have a higher amount of sugar, with 22 grams in a 6.75-oz box, but also have 130% of your daily value of vitamin C.

Out of all the juice options, Honest Organic Juice is our favorite. The Honest beverages come in a variety of flavors, and they're usually sold in a variety pack at Costco, which makes it affordable and easy to stock up on.

Honest Juice has one of the lowest sugar contents out of any juice brands that are marketed towards kids. The ingredients include filtered water, which keeps the sugar content down. One juice box only contains 8 grams of sugar, but there's still enough flavor that my kids love these little juice boxes.

Juice is definitely a delicious and refreshing drink that the whole family can enjoy — and when it's made fresh at home, it's even better. But if you're looking for juice brands that are healthier for the family or made without artificial ingredients, any of the juice brands on this list are a great option.