Juicy Juice is a popular brand of fruit juices and juice drinks marketed towards children. With the rise in gluten sensitivities and celiac disease, many parents wonder if Juicy Juice products are safe for their child to drink. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Juicy Juice and gluten.
What is Juicy Juice?
Juicy Juice is a line of fruit juices and juice drinks owned by Harvest Hill Beverage Company. The brand was originally started in the 1970s and was acquired by Nestle in the 1990s. In 2013, Harvest Hill acquired the brand from Nestle.
Juicy Juice offers a range of juice products including 100% juices, juice cocktails, organic juices, and more. Their products are marketed specifically towards children and come in fun packaging with bright colors and characters. Some of Juicy Juice’s most popular flavors include apple juice, cherry juice, grape juice, fruit punch, orange tangerine, and berry.
In addition to their regular line of juices, Juicy Juice also offers several specialty lines:
– Juicy Juice Organics: Certified organic juice drinks made with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
– Juicy Juice Immunity: Juice with added vitamin C and zinc to support immune health.
– Juicy Juice Anti-Ox: Juice with antioxidants from acai berries.
– Juicy Juice Brain Development: Juice with DHA omega fatty acids to support brain health.
Are Juicy Juice Products Gluten Free?
The question of whether Juicy Juice contains gluten depends on the specific product. According to the Juicy Juice website, most Juicy Juice products are labeled “gluten free.” However, some flavors contain barley malt, a gluten containing grain.
The Juicy Juice products confirmed to be gluten free include:
– All 100% Juices
– All Juicy Juice Organics
– All Juicy Juice Immunity
– All Juicy Juice Anti-Ox
– All Juicy Juice Brain Development
– Most Juice Drinks and Cocktails
However, some Juicy Juice Cocktails and Juice Drinks flavors contain barley malt, including:
– Berry
– Fruit Punch
– Peach
– Strawberry-Kiwi
– Tropical Fruit
So in summary:
- 100% Juicy Juice fruit juices are gluten free
- All Juicy Juice specialty lines (Organics, Immunity, Anti-Ox, Brain Development) are gluten free
- Some but not all Juice Drinks and Cocktails are gluten free
It’s important to always check the label on each individual Juicy Juice product to confirm if it is gluten free or not. The products containing barley malt will have a “contains barley” statement on the label.
Is Barley Malt Gluten?
Barley malt is derived from barley, which is a gluten containing grain. Therefore, barley malt contains gluten.
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. It helps give elasticity to dough, acts as a binder, and often gives a chewy texture to baked goods.
People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot tolerate gluten. When they eat it, their immune system mounts an attack on the small intestine, leading to damage and inability to absorb nutrients. This is why those with gluten issues must adhere to a strict gluten free diet.
While pure juices like orange or apple juice are naturally gluten free, sometimes barley malt or other gluten containing ingredients are added to juice drinks and cocktails. Barley malt extract is sometimes used as a flavoring or binding agent. It adds a malty, cereal-like taste.
SoChecking the label on Juicy Juice products is crucial. Any product labeled “contains barley” does contain gluten from the barley malt, and is not gluten free.
Juicy Juice Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition facts breakdown for some popular flavors of Juicy Juice:
100% Apple Juice
| Serving Size | 8 fl oz (240ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Total Carbs | 28g |
| Sugars | 26g |
| Protein | 0g |
100% Grape Juice
| Serving Size | 8 fl oz (240ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Total Carbs | 36g |
| Sugars | 34g |
| Protein | 0g |
Strawberry Banana Juice Cocktail
| Serving Size | 8 fl oz (240ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Total Carbs | 26g |
| Sugars | 24g |
| Protein | 0g |
The 100% juice varieties like apple and grape contain more natural sugars from the fruit, while juices like strawberry banana contain added sweeteners as well. All Juicy Juice products are free of fat and protein and offer carbohydrates from natural fruit sugars.
Benefits of Juicy Juice
Juicy Juice provides several benefits, assuming the product is gluten free and appropriate for your diet:
- Provides Essential Vitamins and Minerals: Juicy Juice is packed with vitamins A, C, E, potassium, magnesium and more from natural fruit sources.
- Convenient Source of Fruits: It can help kids meet daily fruit intake goals.
- Gluten Free Options: Most flavors are gluten free, giving those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity a convenient juice option.
- Fun Flavors Kids Enjoy: With fun flavors like berry, fruit punch and orange tangerine, Juicy Juice makes it easier to get kids to drink healthy juices.
- Lower Sugar: While juices do contain natural sugar, some Juicy Juice options like the juice cocktails contain less sugar than 100% juice.
The nutrients, vitamins and convenience of Juicy Juice makes it a healthy beverage choice as long as you confirm the individual flavor is gluten free and appropriate for any dietary needs.
Is Juicy Juice Healthy?
Juicy Juice can be a healthy choice, but there are some important factors to consider:
- 100% juice varieties are healthier than juice cocktails with added sugar.
- Watch the sugar content – juices still contain natural fruit sugars.
- Juice lacks fiber from whole fruits and veggies.
- Juice offers less hydration compared to water.
- Moderation is key – the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 4-6 oz juice per day for young kids.
- Always check for allergens like gluten depending on your child’s needs.
Overall, unsweetened 100% juices like Juicy Juice apple juice and grape juice can provide important nutrients and vitamins. But juice cocktails with added sugars should not make up the bulk of a child’s diet. For the healthiest choice, pair juices with plenty of water and focus on whole fruits and vegetables.
Alternatives to Juicy Juice
Some alternatives to Juicy Juice include:
- R.W. Knudsen Family: Offers a line of USDA organic, non-GMO verified juices for kids.
- Apple & Eve: Natural juice cocktails with no artificial sweeteners or preservatives.
- Harvest Hill: Parent company of Juicy Juice also offers organic, lower sugar options.
- Honest Kids: Organic juice drinks and pouches for children.
- Cuties Juice: Blends of 100% orange juice and fruit purees.
- Orange, apple or other juices: Choose 100% varieties with no added sugar.
Checking the label for any gluten containing ingredients is key when selecting the best juices for your child’s dietary needs. Focus on 100% juice blends without unnecessary additives or sweeteners for the healthiest choice.
Does Juicy Juice Have Added Sugar?
Whether Juicy Juice has added sugars depends on the variety:
- The 100% juices like apple and grape do not have any added sugars. However, they contain natural sugar from the fruit.
- Many of the Juice Drinks and Cocktails do contain added sugars in the form of sugar, corn syrup, fructose or sucrose. Check the label for “no added sugars” vs “less sugar” varieties.
- Juicy Juice Organics, Immunity, Anti-Ox and Brain Development lines have no added sugar and are sweetened only with fruit juice.
- Beverages like fruit punch, berry, peach, strawberry kiwi and tropical fruit contain added sugars.
Ideally, choose 100% juice varieties without sweeteners for the healthiest choice. But Juicy Juice’s less sugar options have fewer added sugars than conventional juice drinks, providing a better choice if you need a juice with added flavor.
Juicy Juice Frequently Asked Questions
Does Juicy Juice need to be refrigerated?
Yes, Juicy Juice products should be refrigerated after opening to maintain safety and quality. The bottles recommend refrigerating after opening and consuming within 5-7 days.
Is Juicy Juice from concentrate?
Most Juicy Juice is made from juice concentrates that are reconstituted with water. However, some of the organic juices and speciality lines contain 100% pressed juice. Check labels for “made from concentrate” vs “not from concentrate.”
What is the shelf life of Juicy Juice?
Unopened, Juicy Juice can stay fresh and safe in the pantry for up to 8 months. After opening, it should be consumed within 5-7 days. Look at “best by” and expiration dates for the shelf life of specific packages.
Does Juicy Juice need to be watered down?
The 100% juices do not need to be watered down, since they contain just fruit juice. However, some pediatricians recommend diluting the Juice Drinks with water to reduce overall sugar content.
What fruits are in Juicy Juice Fruit Punch?
Juicy Juice Fruit Punch contains apple, pear, cherry, orange, pineapple, grape and raspberry juice from concentrate. It also contains added citric acid.
Is Juicy Juice organic?
Juicy Juice Organics is certified USDA organic. The rest of the Juicy Juice line is not organic, unless specified on the label.
The Bottom Line on Juicy Juice and Gluten
Most Juicy Juice products are gluten-free and safe for those avoiding gluten. However, some flavors do contain barley malt, a gluten containing ingredient. It’s crucial to always check labels for “contains barley” or related statements indicating gluten.
100% juices as well as the specialty lines like Organics, Immunity, Anti-Ox and Brain Development are guaranteed gluten free. Meanwhile, many but not all of the Juice Drinks and Cocktails are gluten-free – flavors like fruit punch, berry and strawberry kiwi contain barley malt.
Juicy Juice can provide important vitamins and minerals, though it should not replace whole fruits and veggies. Water should be the primary beverage. But Juicy Juice can offer a convenient and kid-friendly way to incorporate more fruit into your child’s diet – as long as you confirm it is gluten free and appropriate for any dietary restrictions. Carefully read labels, look for the certified gluten free symbol, and contact the company if you have any doubts or questions on specific products.
