People replacing sugary squash
If you want to keep the flavour of squash, compare no-added-sugar options using the nutrition for the diluted drink. The NHS recommends sugar-free, diet or no-added-sugar drinks instead of sugary squash.
Who is this choice for?
The useful distinction is between a squash for ordinary drinking and a sugary drink used as part of a hypo-treatment plan.
People with a hypo-treatment plan
Keep everyday drink choices separate from treatment for low blood glucose. Diabetes UK distinguishes sugar-free drinks for ordinary occasions from sugary drinks used to treat hypos; follow your agreed treatment plan.
Households choosing fruitier squash
If fruit content and flavour influence your choice, check the prepared-drink nutrition as well as the juice percentage. Products labelled no added sugar can show different sugar figures and contain different sweeteners or declared allergens.
What should you check before choosing?
Decide whether the drink is for everyday use, then compare bottles at their stated dilution and read the ingredient and allergen information.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday drink | Look for a no-added-sugar, diet or sugar-free option when replacing sugary squash. Check the nutrition for the prepared drink, not just the front label. | I want squash for ordinary drinking without choosing regular sugary squash by default. |
| Sugars and carbohydrate | Compare sugars and carbohydrate on the same prepared-serving basis, following each bottle’s dilution instructions. Tesco Groceries lists 0g sugars per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Orange No Added Sugar; Sainsbury’s lists 2.0g per 250ml prepared serving for its Pink Grapefruit High Juice No Added Sugar squash. | Fruit content matters to me, but I also want to know what is in the glass after dilution. A no-added-sugar label alone does not give me that figure. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current sweetener list and allergen declaration for the exact flavour and size. Tesco Groceries declares sulphites for the Robinsons Orange product and barley for Vimto No Added Sugar Squash 2L. | I need to check ingredients when choosing for someone with an allergy or intolerance, or when avoiding a particular sweetener. |
| Hypos | Keep a sugar-free everyday drink separate from the fast-acting carbohydrate specified in your hypo-treatment plan. Diabetes UK advises using sugary drinks to treat hypos, not sugar-free alternatives. | If I have a hypo-treatment plan, I must not mistake no-added-sugar squash for the sugary drink or other treatment in that plan. |
Common mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “no added sugar” means no sugars
Fruit juice can contribute naturally occurring sugars. In the retailer listings for three no-added-sugar examples, sugars range from 0g to 2.0g per 250ml serving when prepared at the stated 1:4 dilution.
Compare the nutrition for the prepared drink and follow the dilution instructions on the bottle you buy.
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Using sugar-free squash to treat a hypo
A sugar-free drink does not provide the sugar needed from a sugary drink in a hypo-treatment plan. Diabetes UK treats these as different uses.
Follow your agreed hypo-treatment plan rather than substituting no-added-sugar squash; discuss your treatment with your diabetes team if you are unsure.
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Skipping the ingredient and allergen label
No-added-sugar squashes can contain different sweeteners and declared allergens. Tesco Groceries lists sulphites in its Robinsons Orange example and barley in its Vimto example.
Check the current bottle whenever you change flavour, size or product line, particularly if an ingredient matters to you.
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Relying on “diabetic” wording
Diabetes UK says foods marketed specifically as “diabetic” offer no role or benefit as a separate category. The wording does not tell you the sugars, carbohydrate or ingredients in a prepared drink.
Use the nutrition table, preparation instructions and ingredient list to assess the individual squash.
Brand and product-line references
These retailer-listed examples show why the exact bottle matters more than a brand name: their prepared-drink figures and ingredient lists differ.
Robinsons
The Orange No Added Sugar 1L product listed by Tesco Groceries is an example for comparing a diluted, fruit-flavoured drink.
- Tesco Groceries lists 0g sugars per 250ml serving when diluted one part concentrate to four parts water.
- The same product lists acesulfame K and sucralose and declares sulphites; check the bottle if these ingredients matter to you.
Vimto
The No Added Sugar Squash 2L product listed by Tesco Groceries offers a mixed-fruit flavour, with nutrition stated for a prepared serving.
- Tesco Groceries lists 0.8g sugars per 250ml serving.
- The listing names sucralose and acesulfame K and declares barley.
Sainsbury's
Its Pink Grapefruit High Juice No Added Sugar 1L product illustrates a higher-juice option, rather than a rule for every Sainsbury's squash.
- Sainsbury's lists 50% fruit juice and 2.0g sugars per 250ml prepared serving.
- Compare that prepared-drink sugar figure with your other options; the product also lists sucralose and declares sulphites.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists several own-label no-added-sugar squash formats, including Quadruple Strength and Stockwell & Co products.
- The listed formats give shoppers different bottles and dilution instructions to compare.
- Use the chosen product’s own nutrition table and ingredient list; a range listing does not establish those details for every bottle.
Ribena
Tesco Groceries lists a Blackcurrant Squash No Added Sugar 1.5L product for shoppers seeking that flavour.
- The listing identifies blackcurrant juice from concentrate in this product.
- Its ingredient list names aspartame, acesulfame K and sucralose, and its allergen declaration includes sulphites.
No-added-sugar squash options on Joybuy
These fruit-flavoured concentrates are options for choosing an everyday no-added-sugar squash. Compare the nutrition at the dilution you will use, and check the current bottle for ingredients and allergens; none should replace a hypo treatment.
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Robinsons Orange No Added Sugar Squash 1L
An orange-flavoured no-added-sugar option for replacing everyday sugary squash. For this 1L product, Tesco Groceries lists 0g sugars per 250ml serving at a 1:4 dilution and declares sulphites; check the current bottle’s nutrition and ingredients when choosing.
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Ribena Blackcurrant No Added Sugar Concentrate 1.5L
A blackcurrant no-added-sugar concentrate for everyday drinks. Compare sugars and carbohydrate for your prepared serving, and check the current bottle’s sweeteners and allergen declaration if they affect your choice.
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Ribena Pineapple and Passion Fruit No Added Sugar Squash 850ml
A pineapple and passion fruit option if those flavours appeal to you. Check the bottle’s dilution instructions and nutrition for the drink you prepare, along with its ingredients and allergen declaration.
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Robinsons Summer Fruits No Added Sugar Squash 1L
A summer-fruits no-added-sugar choice for ordinary squash drinks. Check sugars and carbohydrate at the stated dilution before comparing it with other flavours, and read the current allergen declaration.
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Robinsons Real Fruit Lemon No Added Sugar Squash 1L
A lemon no-added-sugar squash for someone who prefers a citrus flavour. Before choosing it, read the bottle’s nutrition at the intended dilution and check its current ingredient and allergen declarations, especially if you avoid particular sweeteners or have an allergy.
Questions about choosing squash
Does “diabetic friendly” wording make a squash suitable for everyone with diabetes?
No. Diabetes UK says specially marketed “diabetic” foods offer no role or benefit as a separate category. Compare the squash’s prepared-drink nutrition and ingredients, and consider your own diabetes-management needs instead of relying on that wording.
Does no added sugar mean a squash contains no sugars?
No. Fruit juice can contribute naturally occurring sugars. Tesco Groceries lists 0g sugars per 250ml diluted serving for Robinsons Orange No Added Sugar, while Sainsbury’s lists 2.0g per 250ml prepared serving for its Pink Grapefruit High Juice No Added Sugar squash; check the bottle you choose.
Can sugar-free squash be used to treat a hypo?
No. Sugar-free squash does not supply the sugar required from a sugary drink in a hypo-treatment plan. Diabetes UK distinguishes sugary drinks used to treat hypos from sugar-free drinks for other occasions; follow the plan agreed with your diabetes team.
How do I compare two squash concentrates?
Compare sugars and carbohydrate for the drink after following each product’s dilution instructions, rather than comparing concentrate figures with prepared-drink figures. Then check juice content, sweeteners and declared allergens on each bottle.
What should I check about sweeteners?
Read the exact product’s ingredient list, since sweetener combinations vary. A UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition statement published on GOV.UK in April 2025 says non-sugar sweeteners used in the UK have undergone safety assessment; that does not replace checking individual ingredients and allergen declarations relevant to you.