These 10 Unhealthy Juices Are Worse than Giving Your Kids Soda

If you are looking for an alternative to soda for your family, it can be tempting to reach straight for the juice on the shelf. After all, most are touted as a healthier option. However, not all juices are created equal.

Depending on the type of juice, many options have as much sugar as a candy bar. Although many brands will use the claim, "Made from 100% fruit," to convince parents that the product is healthy, juice is missing many of the nutrients kids would get from eating a whole piece of fruit instead. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents limit fruit juice consumption to 4 ounces per day for children ages 1-3, and 4-6 ounces per day for children ages 4-6.

If you're looking for some of the juices you should avoid, these 15 unhealthy juices are worse than drinking soda.

This post was updated in September 2025 to include updated information about some of the unhealthiest juice options.

Wait, isn't juice healthy? In theory, juice should be more nutritious. After all, many brands make claims that their juice is a good source of vitamin C or is made with 100% fruit. That means they are worth it, right? Well, it depends on which one you choose.

Some juice brands are stocked full of sugar, which can negate the benefits you may be getting. Additionally, juice can also be relatively low in fiber because, during the juicing process, the fruit is stripped of this nutrient.

While some of the juices on this list may have nutritional benefits in small dosages, too much can be problematic. Too much sugar has a link to several health risks, including stroke, dental cavities, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, reducing how much of these juices you consume may be a good idea.

If you love juice and prefer to get your nutrition this way instead of through whole fruits and vegetables, there are a few things to look for. While this isn't always foolproof, one of the first things to look for is a brand that says it's 100% juice. This may limit the amount of sugar that has been added. Also, look for low-sodium juices without added dyes or preservatives.

Now, let's look at the top unhealthy juices that have graced our grocery store shelves. Unless you are a person who constantly reads labels, it can be easy to assume all juices have significant health benefits. Yet, the juice on this list can be just as unhealthy as drinking soda. Let's look at the reasons why.

Tropicana Caribbean Sunset juice has a high sugar content, around 22 grams, in an eight-fluid-ounce serving. Additionally, this juice also contains very little fiber and other nutritional values. According to the EWG website, Tropicana Caribbean Sunset also has a moderate processing concern.

It should be no surprise that Sunny D Tangy Original juice is considered unhealthy. Sunny D contains 14 grams of sugar in an eight-ounce serving. It is also not 100% fruit. This means Sunny D contains artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors, which can negatively affect your health.

Their marketing strategy is misleading because the company touts nutritious benefits. However, Sunny D isn't exactly orange juice. The only thing it has going for it is the 100% recommended daily vitamin C. Yet, the sugar content and additives overshadow this benefit.

One way to know whether or not a juice is safe to call unhealthy depends on the name. Many people know that if the name has the word cocktail, the blend contains plenty of added flavoring and sugar. The same goes for the word punch.

In the case of Minute Maid Peach Punch, the first two ingredients are water and high fructose corn syrup. On top of the high fructose corn syrup, 23 grams of added sugars are added.

Do you remember when Welch's Grape Juice claimed its juice was good for your heart? But looking beyond the dress-ups, like being made of 100% Concord grapes and free of artificial flavors, you will find something more alarming. The total sugars in an 8-ounce Welch's Grape Juice bottle amount to 35 grams.

A 12-ounce fluid ounce of Dr. Pepper contains 38 grams of sugar. At the same time, a Hershey's bar has 17 grams of sugar.

This juice contains a puree of fruit or vegetable, resulting in a high sugar content from natural sources, but it does not contain added sugars or preservatives.

For example, a 15.2 fl oz bottle of Naked Juice Blue Machine contains about 320 calories and 55 grams of sugar, which is higher than a typical 12 oz can of soda.

If you have ever tasted the kids' favorite Hawaiian Punch as an adult, you know it tastes like straight-up sugar syrup. Perhaps you asked yourself, "How did I ever drink this as a kid?"

Hawaiian Punch is packed with high fructose corn syrup, which has been known to increase the risk of adverse effects like weight gain, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. This juice also has artificial colors like Red 40 and Blue 1. Furthermore, it's chock-full of preservatives and artificial flavors. Finding an alternative to this sweet drink would be better if health is a concern.

Juice is one of the most common drinks to give little ones, especially as they begin to move towards eating more than baby food. However, choosing apple juice with labels such as 100% fruit or organic is essential.

Juicy Juice Apple Juice is made from 100% juice from concentrate, and contains about 27 grams of naturally occurring sugar per 8-ounce serving.

In general, if the name of the juice has a punch, it's most likely unhealthy. Fruit punches typically have a high sugar content. Furthermore, they contain less fruit juice than, say, 100% fruit juice drinks.

Simply Fruit Punch is no exception. This drink has 21 grams of added sugar and 25 grams of total sugar. Additionally, there are very few nutrients, like protein and fiber.

In theory, green drinks are healthier than your average fruit juice. Vegetables have less sugar and calories than fruit. Not to mention the vitamins and minerals that vegetables like broccoli and spinach carry.

However, Bolthouse Farms Green Goodness has less than 2% of those yummy greens. Instead, much of the juice is concentrated in pineapple and apple juice. This spikes the sugar content up to 26 grams of sugar. Even with no added sugar, it's still on the high side.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail has at least one thing going for it. Cranberries contain a healthy amount of antioxidants and vitamin C. Therefore, you will still benefit from drinking this juice. However, it's still a cocktail. Which means it gets mixed up with all kinds of sugars and sweeteners.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail contains a lot of sugar, 28 grams. This extra sugar and very little nutritional value make this juice just as unhealthy as drinking soda.

Juice can be an appealing alternative if you are trying to avoid drinks like soda. Soda, as many people know, can be addictive and may have adverse effects on our health. When trying to kick the habit of drinking soda, reaching for a cup of juice can be easy. However, this may not always be the wisest choice.

These ten juices can be just as unhealthy as drinking soda. They contain high levels of sugar. Some of these juices also have high levels of high fructose corn syrup. Too much high fructose corn syrup can harm a person's health for several reasons. This ingredient can increase the risk of heart disease, liver disease, tooth decay, gout, and many other conditions.

So, watch for a few things when looking for a delicious but healthier juice. Avoid labels with punch, cocktail, or concentrate in them. Additionally, juices that say 100% fruit juice or organic tend to be healthier. But when in doubt, opting for water is always a good idea!