Is Simply Lemonade with Raspberry Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look for hidden gluten sources like malt, modified food starch (wheat-based), or natural flavors derived from barley. Fortunately, the ingredient list for Simply Lemonade with Raspberry is refreshingly transparent and safe. Let's look at the core components:

The base is pure filtered water, which is naturally free of allergens. The primary sweetener is cane sugar. Unlike some brown sugars that might use bone char filters (a concern for vegans, not gluten-free folks), refined cane sugar is chemically gluten-free. There is no high fructose corn syrup or maltodextrin here.

The acidity and flavor come from lemon juice and raspberry puree. Whole fruits are naturally gluten-free. The only potential area for concern in fruit beverages is often the natural flavors or colorants, but in this case, Simply uses fruit and vegetable juices for color, avoiding the gluten-containing wheat flour stabilizers found in some cheaper jellies or drinks.

Because this product is not fortified with grains and doesn't use wheat-based thickeners, the risk of cross-contamination is virtually zero within the manufacturing process described by the brand.

Nutritional Value

While this drink is safe for gluten-free diets, it is important to view it through the lens of a balanced diet. The primary ingredient, after water, is cane sugar. A single serving contains a significant amount of added sugar, which provides quick energy but can lead to a sugar crash if consumed in excess.

For those tracking their caloric intake, this beverage contributes liquid calories—often the hardest to account for. It contains zero fat and no protein, meaning it won't contribute to satiety (the feeling of fullness). If you are managing diabetes or insulin resistance, the sugar content in this lemonade requires careful portion control. However, compared to sodas, it offers the benefit of real fruit juice, providing a small amount of Vitamin C and antioxidants from the raspberry puree.