All Natural Sodas

By Melissa Goldberg, Green Luvin'

Are your kids always hounding you for soda but you try to keep them away from the sugar stuff? Well you should… Most sodas on the market today contain refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup, both of which come from genetically modified crops and use highly intensive industrial farming practices. A single 12-ounce can of soda contains almost 13 teaspoons of refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to the increased incidence of diabetes and is a significant cause of obesity. And soft drinks are the single greatest source of caffeine in children's diets; a 12-ounce can of cola contains from 45 milligrams to more than 100 milligrams of caffeine – the same amount in a cup of coffee.

So how about sodas that do not have any caffeine and use real fruit juice? Well check out these great choices. All have gone through rigorous taste tests at my house!

• R.W. Knudsen Spritzers -- Seventeen soda flavors made of juice and seltzer with no added sugars or syrups. Tasty flavors include Vanilla Crème and Cherry Cola. The company recycling 96% of production material! Available nationwide. $7.60 for a six pack.
• Fizzy Lizzy Made of 50% real juices and 50% fizzy water. These delicious sodas come in eight tasty flavors including Mt. Fuji Apple, Lone Star Grapefruit and Costa Rican Pineapple. Found in many retail stores across the country including Whole Foods Market. $5 for four 12 oz bottles.
• Izze Sparkling Juice - Made of 70% juices, sparkling soda, no sugar, caffeine, preservatives or artificial flavors. Comes in eight fruit flavors. The company is dedicated to educating children around the world. Found at many Whole Foods, Starbucks and Target stores across the country.
• The Switch -- 100% carbonated juice with no added sweeteners. Comes in eight flavors including Fruit Punch and Watermelon Strawberry. $24 for twenty-four 8 oz cans.
• Santa Cruz Organics -- Organic line of sodas that includes some great flavors including Lemon Lime, Vanilla Crème, traditional Root Beet and Ginger Ale. Sodas contain organic sugar cane and do not have any types of artificial ingredients. The company is committed to environmental sustainability including organic farming, packaging and energy use. Available in stores nationwide including Whole Foods Market. $8.50 for a six-pack.

Enjoy!

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