Choose no-added-sugar squash by comparing the drink as diluted, not the front-of-pack claim alone. Sainsbury's listings show 0g sugars per prepared 250ml for Robinsons Orange and 0.8g for Vimto No Added Sugar; dilution directions, sweeteners and ingredients also differ, so the right bottle depends on what matters for your afternoon drink.
If you want a flavoured afternoon drink while cutting back on sugary squash, no-added-sugar squash is one option to consider. The NHS also suggests water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free or diet drinks as alternatives to sugary squash.
Standard and double-strength bottles call for different amounts of water. Check the ratio on the bottle you use, particularly when several people prepare drinks from it.
The no-added-sugar label does not identify the sweeteners or other ingredients. Check the current bottle if aspartame, sulphites or another ingredient affects your choice.
Start with the nutrition for the prepared drink, then check how to mix it and whether its ingredients suit the people drinking it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared sugars | Compare 'of which sugars' for the diluted drink on the same serving basis. Sainsbury's lists 0g per prepared 250ml for Robinsons Orange No Added Sugar and 0.8g per 250ml for Vimto No Added Sugar. | I want a flavoured alternative to sugary squash, but I also want to know how much sugar is in the glass I make. |
| Ingredients | Read the sweetener names and ingredient warnings on the current bottle. Sainsbury's lists aspartame and acesulfame K in Ribena Blackcurrant No Added Sugar, along with a source-of-phenylalanine warning. | Someone drinking it needs to avoid an ingredient, so the no-added-sugar claim alone is not enough for me to choose. |
| Dilution | Follow the product's mixing direction before comparing prepared servings. Sainsbury's gives 1 part concentrate to 4 parts water for standard Robinsons Orange and 1 part to 9 parts water for its Double Strength version. | We make squash regularly, and I want everyone using the bottle to mix it as directed. |
| Fruit and format | Check the stated fruit content separately from prepared sugars and sweeteners. Marks & Spencer describes its Lemon and Lime High Juice as 50% fruit juice with no added sugar; Sainsbury's lists 40 servings for Robinsons Double Strength Orange. | A higher stated fruit proportion interests me, or I need to know how many drinks a frequently used bottle is intended to make. |
Fruit ingredients can contribute sugars even when no sugar has been added. Sainsbury's lists different prepared-sugar values for Robinsons Orange and Vimto No Added Sugar.
Compare 'of which sugars' for similarly sized prepared drinks, rather than comparing concentrate with a diluted serving.
Sweeteners and warnings vary between products. The Sainsbury's listing for Ribena Blackcurrant No Added Sugar, for example, names aspartame and carries a source-of-phenylalanine warning.
Read the current ingredients and warnings when changing flavour, brand or format, especially if a particular ingredient matters to the drinker.
Using a standard-strength ratio for a double-strength product puts more concentrate into each glass than its directions specify.
Check the ratio each time you switch bottles: Sainsbury's lists 1:4 for standard Robinsons Orange and 1:9 for Robinsons Double Strength Orange.
These examples show differences between particular squash listings; check the exact flavour and bottle rather than applying one product's details to a whole brand.
Sainsbury's lists both standard and double-strength Orange No Added Sugar squash.
Sainsbury's lists a 2L No Added Sugar Real Fruit Squash with vitamins C and D.
Sainsbury's lists a Blackcurrant Squash No Added Sugar in an 850ml bottle.
Marks & Spencer describes its Lemon and Lime High Juice as containing 50% fruit juice with no added sugar.
Waitrose & Partners describes its No Added Sugar Summer Fruits Squash as double strength.
These no-added-sugar squash options cover orange, blackcurrant, pineapple and passion fruit, and summer-fruits flavours. Compare the current label for prepared sugars and mixing directions before choosing for an afternoon drink.
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An orange squash option if you want to compare the sugar in a prepared glass: Sainsbury's lists 0g sugars per diluted 250ml for this Robinsons Orange product, mixed 1 part concentrate to 4 parts water. Check the current label for sweeteners and sulphites; the Joybuy listing says it is not suitable for children under 36 months.
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A blackcurrant choice for a diluted afternoon drink. Check the label's prepared-serving nutrition before comparing its sugar value with another squash. The listing identifies aspartame, other sweeteners and sodium bisulphite, and says the drink is not recommended for children under 3.
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Consider this if pineapple and passion fruit are the flavours you want. Check the current bottle for its dilution direction and prepared-drink sugars. The listing identifies aspartame and sulphites and carries a source-of-phenylalanine warning.
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A summer-fruits alternative to the orange and blackcurrant flavours shown here. Use the bottle's dilution direction and prepared-serving nutrition when comparing drinks. The listing identifies sucralose, acesulfame K and sulphites, and advises extra water for toddlers.
No. Fruit ingredients can contribute sugars to a no-added-sugar squash. Sainsbury's lists 0.8g sugars per prepared 250ml for Vimto No Added Sugar and 0g per prepared 250ml for Robinsons Orange No Added Sugar, so compare the diluted serving values.
Check the current ingredients for aspartame and the source-of-phenylalanine warning. The NHS says aspartame is unsuitable for people with phenylketonuria (PKU); Sainsbury's lists aspartame and that warning for Ribena Blackcurrant No Added Sugar.
No. Follow the directions on the bottle: Sainsbury's lists 1 part squash to 4 parts water for standard Robinsons Orange and 1 part to 9 parts water for Robinsons Double Strength Orange. A different ratio changes how much concentrate goes into each glass.
Check the exact bottle's age advice, ingredients and dilution directions rather than assuming every squash has the same instructions. The Joybuy listing for Robinsons Orange No Added Sugar says it is not suitable for children under 36 months, while the listed Ribena Blackcurrant product is not recommended for children under 3.