White Claw and Other Spiked Seltzer Is Popular, but Is It Healthy?

Some alcoholic drinks have been given a so-called health halo. Vodka sodas are low in calories, red wine has antioxidants, and straight-up tequila is many keto dieters’ shot of choice thanks to its low carb count. Now you can add spiked seltzers to this list.

You’ve certainly seen these around, because they’ve exploded in popularity this year. CNN reports that Nielsen data show hard seltzer sales exceeded $1 billion over the last year, ending in August 2019. That’s a 200 percent increase year over year. There’s no shortage of brands to choose from: White Claw, Bon & Viv, Truly, Nauti, Crook & Marker, Press, Arctic Summer — even some well-known alcohol brands such as Smirnoff and Natural Light have their own lines of hard seltzer.

What Is Spiked Seltzer Exactly?

Hard or spiked seltzer is a canned beverage that’s made with seltzer, alcohol, and no-sugar-added fruit flavoring, according to White Claw. White Claw, Bon & Viv, and Truly are three brands that are gluten-free, as they’re made without barley or wheat. Brands generally range from 4.5 percent to 5 percent alcohol per 12-ounce can. “The alcohol in the seltzer is not simply a mix of sparkling water and a hard liquor, but the ‘spiked’ aspect of the seltzer comes from fermentation of sugars,” says Mia Syn, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charleston, South Carolina.

RELATED: Drinking Less Improves Well-Being, Even in Moderate Drinkers

Why Have White Claw and Other Hard Seltzers Become So Popular?

It all goes back to that health halo. It can often be tough to find nutrition info on your favorite alcoholic drinks, but spiked seltzer companies use nutrition stats to their advantage. For instance, one brand, Truly, says that their 12-ounce can contains 100 calories, 1 gram (g) of sugar, and 2 g of carbs. A 12-ounce White Claw also has 100 calories, 2 g of sugars, and 2 g of carbs.

“The calorie content — 100 calories per can — is a bit lower than what you’d get in a beer, for example, making it a more attractive alternative for some people,” says Kelly Pritchett, PhD, RD, an associate professor of nutrition at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. Plus, compared with an ultra-light beer (which is similar in calories), you might also think fizzy fruit water tastes better, she says. Then there’s the fact that these beverages are low in carbs. Two grams of carbs per can means that if you’re on a low-carb diet — even keto — a spiked seltzer might be a good option if you choose to drink.

RELATED: What Are the Benefits and Risks of the Keto Diet?

Is White Claw Actually a Healthier Choice Than a Mixed Drink or Just Plain Beer?

Whether or not a certain alcoholic drink is healthy is a layered question. While they may be lower in calories and carbs compared with some mixed drinks and beers, says Syn, “it’s important to make sure that consumption is moderate, as consuming large quantities of alcohol is not a healthy choice regardless of the source of the alcohol. ”

Also consider that hard seltzer is empty calories that don’t do anything for your health. “There are no real nutritional benefits from consumption of hard seltzer, as they are primarily just empty calories,” says Syn. A serving of these drinks fits into the category of “fun foods.” That’s totally fine, but “it’s important to keep empty calories to a minimum. They provide energy, but no other nutrition like vitamins and minerals,” she says.

RELATED: 7 Common Nutrient Deficiencies and Their Signs

Can Drinking Hard Seltzer Pose Any Health Risks?

If you look at hard seltzer only in terms of calories and carbs — or at its lower alcohol content — you may see it as a free pass. “Someone could view this drink as healthy and ‘diet-friendly,’ which could lead to someone consuming more, increasing both the number of calories and quantity of alcohol,” says Syn.

Moderation is key. In terms of what that means, there’s an official definition: “The CDC recommends that women consume no more than one drink per day, and men consume no more than two drinks per day,” says Pritchett.

According to the CDC, a standard drink is:

• 12 ounces (oz) of beer that is 5 percent alcohol
• 5 oz of wine that is 12 percent alcohol
• 1.5 oz of a shot of 80-proof liquor (40 percent alcohol) like rum or vodka
• 8 oz of malt liquor that is 7 percent alcohol

It may also help to think of this in weekly terms, says Pritchett, aiming for 7 or 14 drinks max (for women and men, respectively), per week. “If it’s football season, someone may wait until game day to have a couple of these. If that’s the case, make sure you’re not going over seven drinks per week,” says Pritchett. That doesn’t actually mean you can or should “save up” your drinks to consume all in one day. Two might be okay — but be aware that having four (for women) or five (for men) drinks in a two-hour period is considered binge drinking, per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. And that applies even if you’re having a low-cal, low-carb drink like hard seltzer.

RELATED: 5 Things Drinking Too Much Alcohol May Be Doing to Your Body

Dehydration is another concern. Even though this is alcohol and sparkling water, drinking a can does not mean you’re hydrating. In other words, hard seltzer does not count as water. “Because it’s 5 percent ABV, you’ll have a diuretic effect similar to other alcoholic beverages,” says Pritchett. One can of seltzer may not make a marked difference in your body’s hydration levels, but if you’re having a few of these out in the hot sun, “you could develop mild dehydration if you’re not replacing these fluids with plain water,” she says.

Also, there may be fewer calories and sugar in these compared with, say, a rum and Coke (200 calories and 17 g of sugar, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture), a can of regular beer (153 calories, 0 g sugar, per the USDA), or a margarita (274 calories, 36 g sugar, per the USDA), but they add up if you drink more — and that can have ramifications for your weight.

What’s more, abiding by these recommendations to drink moderately does not seem to cause weight gain, and people who imbibe responsibly may also eat more moderately and exercise more (to make up for these extra calories), according to a review published in January 2015 in Current Obesity Reports.

RELATED: No Amount of Alcohol Is Safe, a Global Analysis of Research Suggests

The Bottom Line if You Enjoy Drinking Hard Seltzer

Cracking open a can of hard seltzer is certainly much better than downing a margarita or a Long Island iced tea in terms of calories and sugar, says Pritchett. But just because it has fewer calories doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you, and it shouldn’t be an excuse to drink more, she says.

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Wine Vs. White Claw – Which is the Healthier Option?

It is official – hard seltzer is one of the hottest new alcoholic beverages on the market, and that is not expected to slow down soon. This past year, the hard seltzer category has grown by over 202% with many prominent beer brands such as Sam Adams and Anheuser-Busch making the shift to seltzer. So why the sudden pivot when breweries were making such a huge surge only a brief couple of years ago? Well, the modern consumer changes quickly. A study done by Food Navigator in 2018 showed that 79% of consumers wanted to have a healthier diet by the end of the year. With more people caring about what they put in them these days, more healthier options continue to arise. So, with only 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per serving, is White Claw the healthiest alcoholic option? Well, hold the brakes! Let’s not forget the healthy alcoholic option that came before White Claw – good ol’ wine! Not only does wine have some of the least damaging effects on your health, but there have been studies that prove drinking wine in moderation can have beneficial effects on your health! So, which option is healthier than the other?

Calories

We will start with the first nutritional fact everyone is looking for – how many calories does each have? White Claw does not shy away from this question. Their cans and advertising emphasize, in large writing, that each 12 fl oz serving is only 100 calories. This is slightly lower compared to wine which can average between 120-140 calories in a 5 fl oz serving – Baldacci wines, for instance, are 120 calories in a normal serving. White Claw edges over wine in this category.

Sugar

After looking at the calories in a product, our next step is to typically look at the amount of sugar in it.  There is a lot more information now on the negative effects of sugar – weight gain, heart disease, aging. For this reason, we want to minimize our sugar intake as much as possible. Again, White Claw does a great job of promoting that their cans only have 2 grams of sugar per serving. However, this is slightly higher than wine which averages just 1.2 grams of sugar per glass!  You can sip wine with ease knowing that. Wine has the upper hand when it comes to having less sugar.

Carbohydrates

Carbs go hand-in-hand with sugar these days – both pack on the pounds and both are worth avoiding. Wine can come in many different forms when it comes to the number of carbs in a serving. Dry wines for instance typically have zero grams of carbs in them, while other types of wine can go up to four grams of carbs in a serving. White Claw is right in the middle at 2 grams of carbs in a can. For this reason, it is pretty much a tie between the two in this category.

Special Consideration

Now, it is important to note that health is not always about avoiding the negative things we put in us – it also involves putting beneficial substances into our bodies. As mentioned earlier in this piece, there have been multiple health benefits linked to drinking wine in moderation. For example, Healthline stated that “red wine’s high concentration of polyphenol antioxidants can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases”. There is also reason to believe that certain components in wine can reduce chronic inflammation – a condition that is typically reduced via exercise and diet. Due to the fact that White Claw has not been around long enough nor is it feasible to know the full recipe, it is difficult to determine what, if any beneficial health benefits may be derived from White Claw.

Conclusion

When we break it down, the match up is pretty close on whether wine or White Claw is the healthier option. If the goal is to watch your figure, White Claw might barely edge out wine for having fewer calories and fewer carbs ounce. If the goal is to drink an alcoholic option that can provide you with some health benefits, wine is the way to go. Everything being said, it is important to note that drinking alcohol in excess can never be deemed healthy. Drinking in moderation will always ensure you are drinking healthy and responsibly. So next time you are at an event and you are trying to decide between the wine or the White Claw, just remember both are better than most alcoholic options out there. Obviously, we are a little biased and recommend the wine!

Sources

• https://www. gq.com/story/is-white-claw-healthy
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-wine

Kellie Duckhorn has been a part of the Napa Valley wine community for more than 45 years. She is currently the General Manager for Baldacci Family Vineyards and she loves everything about this limited production, family owned and operated winery.

Foods that may surprise you with their sugar content

Soft drinks and fortified water

vitamins and minerals, but they give quite a lot of energy. Soft drinks may also contain various additives. A person often does not even realize how much energy a product actually contains. For example, 0.5 liters of soft drink provides approximately 200 kcal, which is one tenth of the average daily energy requirement of an adult woman. The sugar content of soft drinks, fortified drinks, and flavored waters is generally higher than a person might think.

Fortified water is considered to be part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, one half-liter bottle of fortified water contains approximately 25 grams of sugar, which is more than half of the maximum recommended daily allowance for added sugars.

Vitamin water and flavored water are not water, but soft drinks.

Sports drinks are also very high in sugar. Half a liter of sports drink contains approximately 38 grams of sugar, which is almost the full daily allowance.

Juices, nectars and juice drinks

In the food pyramid, juices belong to the group of fruits, vegetables and berries, while nectars and juice drinks belong to the group of sweet and savory snacks.

The addition of sugar in the production of juices is prohibited. However, juices contain the so-called. natural sugars. For example, grape juice contains about 14-16 grams, and orange juice contains about 9-10 grams of sugar per 100 grams of juice. It is not recommended to consume more than one glass of juice per day. Drinking a glass of smoothie (200 ml) with the following composition, you will immediately receive 30 grams of (so-called natural) sugars.

Smoothie nutritional value (consists exclusively of fruit and berry juice and puree), per 100 ml:

Sugar and/or natural honey is added to nectars up to 20% of the volume of the product.

The composition of juice drinks is not regulated by law, so these products may contain very little juice (eg 1%), and their taste is usually achieved with a large amount of added sugars. When buying a juice drink, it is always recommended to look at the ingredient list (ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity) and the nutrition information of the product, from which you can get information about the sugar content.

When buying a nectar or a juice drink in a store, be sure to read the label on the package to find out how many sugars it contains and compare it with the sugar content in juice from the same fruit. You can find out the amount of added sugars in a juice drink by comparing the sugar content of the juice and the juice drink with the juice content of the juice drink.

Energy and sugar content of various juices, nectars and juice drinks per 100 grams of product

The best drink to quench your thirst is water!

Dairy products

Unflavored curd and yoghurt contain only lactose, milk sugar, which is part of milk.

To find out the amount of sugars in curd with flavors, you need to compare the sugar content in it with the sugar content in cottage cheese without flavors. If it is known that the lactose content in ordinary unsweetened cottage cheese (it has no added sugars, and all sugars indicated on the package are natural lactose) is approximately 6.3 grams per 100 grams of product, and, for example, sweet curd mass with cocoa contains 15 grams of sugars per 100 grams of product, this means that the amount of added sugars is 11 grams per 100 grams of product. Thus, in a 300-gram package of sweet curd mass, there are almost 35 grams of added sugars. Here is an approximate maximum allowable amount of added sugars for a preschooler.

Comparison of the nutritional value and composition of vanilla curd (sweetened) and baked curd (unsweetened)

The maximum recommended daily amount of added sugars at an energy intake of 2000 kcal is 50 grams of added sugars from all sources. So, in order to reduce the amount of added sugars in food, if possible, season cottage cheese or yogurt yourself!

If you’re seasoning unsweetened cottage cheese or yogurt yourself, keep in mind that two full teaspoons of sugar or one teaspoon of runny honey weighs about 10 grams (candied honey usually weighs even more). If you add this amount to 100 grams of yogurt, you get a product with the same amount of added sugars as store-bought.

Cakes and other sweets

This is a food group that is very high in added sugars. The amount of added sugars in baked goods (cakes, cakes, pretzels, buns, pies, cookies) depends largely on the “generosity” of the baker. In the worst cases, that is, in baked goods that are especially high in sugars, such as, for example, “Alexandria” cake or some chocolate cakes, the amount of added sugars can be up to 40 grams per 100-gram piece.

A 100 gram bar of 56% chocolate contains about 40 grams of sugars, which are all added sugars. Of course, you should not eat 100 grams of chocolate in one sitting. If you eat, for example, 10–20 grams of chocolate, then the amount of added sugars obtained will be only 4–8 grams, respectively.

The same amount of added sugars is found in 100 grams of chocolate brownies or dark chocolate 0 grams per 100 grams of product.

Alcoholic drinks

Alcoholic drinks also contain sugar. Most sugar in liqueurs. The sugar content in wines depends on the type of wine.

Sugars are not to be feared. However, you need to know the sources of added sugars and use that information to reduce your intake.

What does white claw taste like? Is white claw delicious? – Drink-Drink

Have you ever heard of the White Claw? If not, what are you waiting for? It’s time to find out what it’s all about.

White Claw is a new alcoholic beverage found in stores across the US.

So what does white claw taste like? Well, it depends on what type you drink.

What is White Claw? Origin of White Claw

White Claw is a popular and relatively new hard seltzer marketed as an alternative to beer or wine.

White Claw claims to be “America’s first low-calorie canned craft seltzer.”

The origin of White Claw begins with Anthony von Mandl, a British Canadian who has been in the wine industry since the 1970s.

White Claw was created by Vancouverian Anthony von Mandl of the Mark Anthony Group.

White Claw has experienced tremendous growth since its introduction in 2016 through successful marketing and social media sponsorships, which has been hailed as a “viral success”.

Although not yet available globally, this drink has been popularized through competitions such as the winner of Best Hard Seltzer at the Beverage Digest Awards 2020.

White Claw is made from a blend of seltzer, gluten-free malt alcohol base and fruit flavor.

The recipe for the alcoholic liquid in White Claw has been kept a secret by its creators ever since it was sold to Anheuser Busch InBev, but now they say that 51% sugar mixed with less yeast and nutrients creates this delicious drink.

Buy White Claw in your favorite flavor at your local convenience store or grocery stores such as Walmart, Kroger, Target or Amazon.

com.

Why has White Claw become popular lately?

The answer is that it’s because of a recent meme.

Trevor Wallace created the meme in 2019.

Video taken from YouTube channel called “Drinks White Claw Once” and called “White Claw Challenge.

In the video, Trevor drinks a can of White Claw every time he says “white claw” in his comment.

Since then, White Claw has been on the rise.

White Claw Flavors

Over the past few years, White Claw has outperformed other brands in the beverage industry.

No wonder they are quickly becoming the best-selling and most popular alcoholic drinks on store shelves this year.

But have you ever wondered what flavors are available to quench your thirst? Here is a list of all 12 delicious flavors:

• Black Cherry: Contains a sharp black cherry flavor with hints of orange and lemon. Made from natural ingredients, no added sugar or artificial flavors.
• Mango: Infused with a refreshing mango flavor with hints of pineapple and made with natural ingredients, no added sugar or artificial flavors.
• Watermelon: A vibrant watermelon flavor that’s so good it’s hard to put down. It contains various flavors of lemonade, lime soda and fruit punch for an addictive fruit drink you won’t regret. Made with 100% real sugarcane (no high fructose corn syrup) and all natural flavor.
• Natural lime: Refreshing authentic taste of the tropics. Made from 100% natural ingredients, no added sugar or artificial flavors.
• Ruby Grapefruit: An explosion in your mouth with its spicy flavor that will leave you wanting more. Contains a variety of real fruit juices for an unforgettable experience every time.
• Raspberry: Simply delicious raspberry drink. It has a great balance between sweet and tart, so it’s sure to please everyone on any occasion. It contains various flavors of lemonade, lime soda and fruit punch for an addictive fruit drink you won’t regret.
• Lemon: A refreshing citrus flavor that’s hard to beat. It contains hints of pineapple and orange juice that are refreshing. With no added sugar or artificial flavors, it’s perfect for any occasion.
• Tangerine: Spicy citrus drink, juicy as always. Made with all natural ingredients, no sugar or high fructose corn syrup, and 100% real fruit juice (no water), this drink has a flavor that can’t be beat.

So what are you waiting for? Grab the next 12 packs of White Claw today to enjoy these fantastically delicious drinks in the comfort of your own home.

White Claw Nutritional Information

White Claw is a light, refreshing and economical alternative to other alcoholic beverages on the market.

Whitehaven, have you tried the new White Claw line? They have all sorts of flavors like black cherry, mango and raspberry.

You only need 12 ounces to quench your thirst with 100 calories.

Fruit flavored varieties contain two grams or less of carbohydrates, making them ideal for dieters.

Pure strong seltzer contains no carbs at all, which is great if you want something tasty with no added sugar.

White Claw is gluten-free, non-GMO, and contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Even its name has a refreshing simplicity that contrasts with the complex marketing of other drinks on the market.

The taste of White Claw is fruity, but not too cloying.

They are also light enough for summer sips, but still have plenty of flavor for winter drinks.

What does white claw taste like? Is white claw delicious?

White Claw is a delicious and low calorie drink.

It does not contain sugar or gluten.

Fruity but not overly sweet, making it perfect for summer sips or winter drinks.

And the best part? You can get a 24-pack of White Claw at Costco for just $15.99.

It’s available in a variety of fruit flavors, including cherry, raspberry and mango, so you’ll never get tired of your drink again.

Drinks contain 100 calories per 12 ounce serving, making them extremely economical as they are low enough in calories that you don’t feel guilty about drinking one serving every day.

These days, most people don’t take into account the fact that they choose alcoholic beverages on the go.

Depending on the flavor you choose, it’s great for adults over 21 who want a light, low-calorie drink.

How to improve the taste of white claw?

White Claw doesn’t taste the best, but luckily there are some easy ways to make it taste better.

Here are a few:

• Add lemon or lime juice for a citrus scent.
• Mix with cranberry juice, pineapple juice or tonic to add fruitiness and sweetness.
• Chop strawberries and mix them with iced tea (great idea if you want something less carbonated).
• Or add your favorite mixer to create your own version. You can use Sprite/Pepsi/Mountain Dew as well as other juices like orange juice.

There is no limit to the possibilities of experimenting with different combinations.

A little goes a long way, so don’t be afraid to try new things.