That Post-Workout Gut Punch

This Orange Mango blend feels like a solid base for a morning shake. The label lists orange juice, apple juice, mango puree, and banana puree, giving it a thick, tropical profile that isn't too sharp. It has 11g of sugar per 100g, so it's sweet but not syrupy. I'd toss this in the gym bag for a quick carb hit before a lift. The trade-off is the texture; the purees can make it a bit pulpy, which some might find heavy if you're expecting something crisp. It mixes well with protein powder, though.

If you hate added sugar, this bottled lemon juice is a utility player. The label is straightforward: lemon juice, essential lemon oil, and potassium metabisulfite as a preservative. It hits 0g sugar per 100g, delivering a sharp, acidic kick that can wake up water or a post-workout shake. I keep a bottle at the office desk to splash into sparkling water instead of buying soda. The trade-off is the sulfite; it keeps shelf life long but can alter the taste slightly compared to fresh-squeezed, making it a bit less vibrant. Still, it's reliable and tart.

This 100% juice from concentrate offers a clean, apple-forward taste with added ascorbic acid for vitamin C. The ingredients are simple: filtered water, apple juice concentrate, and the vitamin boost. It has 11g of sugar per 100g, making it a decent option for refueling glycogen without overdoing it. I'd stash this in the office mini-fridge for a midday pick-me-up that feels cleaner than soda. The trade-off is the 'from concentrate' aspect; it lacks the fresh-pressed brightness and can taste a bit flat or cooked compared to premium cold-pressed options. It's functional fuel.

This frozen cranberry cocktail is a heavy hitter in the wrong direction. The label shows high fructose corn syrup as the main driver, clocking in at 58g of sugar per 100g, with a low ingredient score of 4.2. It mixes up tart and intensely sweet, but the HFCS leaves a sticky mouthfeel. I tried using it as a late-night mixer, but the sugar crash isn't worth it. The trade-off is the sweetness overload; it masks any real fruit character, making it taste artificial. It's cheap, sure, but you're paying with blood sugar volatility.

The Caribbean Jerk with Papaya Juice is a hard pass for anyone watching their intake. The label lists high fructose corn syrup and water as the first ingredients, with a massive 138g of sugar per 100g and a dismal score of 1.0. It's essentially a sugar bomb with some papaya puree and salt for flavor. I can't imagine a real use case for this in a fitness routine; maybe a mixer for a cheat cocktail, but even then, the sodium and HFCS combo feels sloppy. The trade-off is the health profile; it tastes sweet but leaves you sluggish. Stick to real food.