Loyal lemonade is a popular canned lemonade drink sold in grocery stores and convenience stores across the United States. With its bright yellow packaging and tangy lemon flavor, Loyal lemonade provides a refreshing, nostalgic taste of summer. But how does this sweet, bubbly beverage stack up in terms of nutrition? Specifically, how many calories are in a standard 12-ounce can of Loyal lemonade? Read on to find out.
Nutrition Facts for Loyal Lemonade
Before determining the calorie count, let’s examine the overall nutrition facts for Loyal lemonade:
Serving Size: 1 can (12 fl oz/355 ml)
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 35mg
Total Carbohydrates: 28g
Sugars: 27g
Protein: 0g
As you can see, a 12-ounce can of Loyal lemonade contains 110 calories, with no fat, 35mg of sodium, 28g total carbohydrates, 27g of sugar, and no protein. Now let’s break down that calorie count further.
Understanding Calorie Content
Calories are a measure of the energy content in food and beverages. Consuming more calories than your body burns leads to weight gain, while consuming fewer calories than you burn leads to weight loss. The key factors that contribute to the calorie content in Loyal lemonade are:
Sugar Content
The main source of calories in Loyal lemonade comes from added sugar. Each 12-ounce can contains 27g of sugar, which equates to about 7 teaspoons. Since there are 4 calories per gram of sugar, the 27g of sugar contributes approximately 108 calories.
Citric Acid
Lemonade gets its tart, tangy flavor from citric acid, a natural compound found in citrus fruits like lemons and limes. While citric acid itself is low in calories, it influences the overall energy balance in the body. The small amount of citric acid in Loyal lemonade accounts for the remaining 2 calories per can.
Carbonation
The bubbles and fizz in Loyal lemonade come from adding carbon dioxide during processing. However, carbonation itself does not contain calories or impact the calorie amount. The carbonation simply provides texture and a refreshing mouthfeel.
Vitamins & Minerals
Loyal lemonade also contains small amounts of various vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. However, vitamins and minerals have minimal caloric value, so they do not significantly contribute to the calorie count.
Calories Per Ounce
Now that we know there are 110 total calories in a 12-ounce can of Loyal lemonade, we can determine the calorie count per ounce:
110 calories ÷ 12 ounces = 9.2 calories per ounce
So each individual ounce of Loyal lemonade contains approximately 9 calories. This standard serving size allows us to easily compare the calorie content to other beverages. For example:
– Coca-Cola: 10.6 calories per ounce
– Pepsi: 10.9 calories per ounce
– Sprite: 10.5 calories per ounce
– Orange juice: 8.2 calories per ounce
As you can see, Loyal lemonade has a similar calorie-per-ounce ratio as other popular soft drinks and juices.
Calories From Fat vs. Carbohydrates
When analyzing the calorie content of a food or drink, it is useful to look at the calories that come from fat versus carbohydrates:
Fat: 0 calories
Loyal lemonade contains no fat, so there are 0 calories from fat.
Carbohydrates: 110 calories
The 110 calories in Loyal lemonade come entirely from carbohydrate sources – primarily added sugar.
This breakdown is important because consuming calories from carbohydrates, especially added sugars, can lead to more rapid spikes and crashes in energy compared to calories from fat or protein. The high carb and sugar content make Loyal lemonade more of a temporary energy boost rather than long-lasting fuel.
Calories in Different Flavors
Loyal lemonade comes in a variety of refreshing flavors beyond classic lemon, including:
– Strawberry
– Peach
– Grape
– Fruit Punch
Though the flavors vary, the calorie and nutrition content remains very similar across all varieties. Here is a comparison of the calories per 12-ounce can of different Loyal lemonade flavors:
| Flavor | Calories |
|---|---|
| Lemon | 110 |
| Strawberry | 110 |
| Peach | 110 |
| Grape | 100 |
| Fruit Punch | 120 |
As you can see, the calorie range is 100-120 calories per 12-ounce can, regardless of the flavor. Fruit punch has slightly more at 120 calories, while grape has slightly less at 100 calories. But overall, the calorie difference between flavors is minimal.
Calories in Different Container Sizes
In addition to the 12-ounce can, Loyal lemonade is also sold in larger containers including 20-ounce bottles and 2-liter bottles. Here is a comparison of how the calorie count changes with different container sizes:
| Container Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 12 fl oz can | 110 |
| 20 fl oz bottle | 180 |
| 2 liter bottle | 840 |
As expected, the calorie count increases proportionately with larger container sizes. A 20-ounce Loyal lemonade bottle contains approximately 180 calories, while a 2-liter bottle contains 840 calories. When choosing container size, keep this calorie difference in mind.
Calories Compared to Other Drinks
How does Loyal lemonade compare to other popular beverage options in terms of calories per serving? Here is a look at how it stacks up against both sugary and low/no-calorie drinks:
| Beverage | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Loyal Lemonade | 12 fl oz | 110 |
| Coca-Cola | 12 fl oz | 140 |
| Gatorade | 12 fl oz | 80 |
| Orange Juice | 8 fl oz | 112 |
| Sweet Tea | 12 fl oz | 100 |
| Diet Coke | 12 fl oz | 0 |
| Sparkling Water | 12 fl oz | 0 |
Loyal lemonade contains 110 calories per 12-ounce serving, which is comparable to other sugary drinks like Coca-Cola, orange juice, and sweet tea. To reduce calorie intake, diet soda, sparkling water, or other low/zero calorie beverages are lower-cal alternatives while still providing flavor and carbonation.
Tips for Drinking Loyal Lemonade
Here are some tips for enjoying Loyal lemonade as part of a balanced diet:
– Treat it as an occasional treat, not an everyday drink. Due to its high sugar and calorie content, Loyal lemonade is best consumed in moderation.
– Be mindful of portion sizes. Pay attention to standard serving sizes (12 ounces) and avoid overpouring into larger cups or mugs.
– Offset the calories by eating less. Account for the calories in Loyal lemonade by reducing your other calorie intake at that meal or snack.
– Drink over ice to make it last longer. Adding ice helps sip your lemonade slowly so you don’t consume excess calories too quickly.
– Mix with sparkling water. For a lower-calorie option, pour lemonade over ice and top with sparkling water for a refreshing spritzer.
– Select low/no-calorie mixers. When mixing liquor with Loyal lemonade, choose a zero-calorie mixer like diet soda or club soda to cut down on calories.
The Bottom Line
Loyal lemonade is a refreshing, nostalgic drink that provides a tangy burst of lemon flavor. However, with 110 calories and 27g of sugar per 12-ounce serving, it is a high-calorie beverage choice. To moderate your calorie and sugar intake, enjoy Loyal lemonade occasionally and in reasonable portions. When limiting calories is a priority, sparkling water, light lemonade, or other low/zero calorie options are healthier alternatives. By keeping your overall diet balanced, you can enjoy the delicious taste of Loyal lemonade as a sweet treat!