Shoppers reducing sugar in their drink
If you want a fizzy drink with your takeaway without choosing a regular-sugar energy drink, compare the sugar information for the exact variety. Sugar-free does not describe its caffeine content or acidity.
Who is this choice for?
Adults comparing caffeine by can size
If you still want an energy drink, compare the dose in the container you will drink. Red Bull states 80mg caffeine in a 250ml Sugarfree can; Monster states 150mg in a 500ml Ultra can and 160mg in a 500ml Absolutely Zero can.
People considering a drink without an energy-drink caffeine dose
Water avoids the need to compare energy-drink caffeine amounts. If you are pregnant, the NHS advises no more than 200mg caffeine a day from all sources; high-caffeine drink labels also carry warnings for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
What should you check?
For a takeaway-night drink, choose the type of drink first, then compare the exact can’s sugar information, caffeine amount and label warnings.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | Check the named variety’s zero-sugar or sugar-free claim and its sugars per 100ml. Check the ingredients if a particular sweetener matters to you. | I want a fizzy drink with my takeaway without choosing a regular-sugar energy drink. |
| Caffeine per can | Compare milligrams in the complete can, not just per 100ml. Red Bull states 80mg per 250ml Sugarfree can; Monster states 150mg per 500ml Ultra can and 160mg per 500ml Absolutely Zero can. | A zero-sugar label is not enough for me: I also want to know how much caffeine I would drink. |
| Drink type | If you do not want an energy drink, consider water or another drink. Check a zero-sugar soft drink’s own label if avoiding caffeine matters; the name alone does not establish its caffeine content. | Perhaps I want a drink with dinner, but not an energy drink. |
| Carbonation | The NHS says the acid in carbonated drinks can contribute to dental erosion whether the drinks contain sugar or sweeteners. | I want to reduce sugar without assuming a fizzy zero-sugar drink removes every dental consideration. |
| Label warnings | Read the high-caffeine warning on the exact can. During pregnancy, the NHS advises no more than 200mg caffeine a day from all sources, including drinks, food and supplements. | If I am pregnant or buying for someone covered by a label warning, I need to account for more than this one drink. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Reading “zero sugar” as “little caffeine”
Red Bull’s 250ml Sugarfree can contains 80mg caffeine, while Monster states 150mg for a 500ml Ultra can and 160mg for a 500ml Absolutely Zero can. The sugar claim does not tell you the full-can caffeine dose.
Read the caffeine amount for the container you plan to drink, and include other caffeine you have that day.
-
Assuming a sugar-free fizzy drink has no dental considerations
The NHS says carbonated drinks can contribute to dental erosion because of their acid content, regardless of whether they contain sugar or sweeteners.
Use the sugar information to compare sugar, rather than treating it as a measure of acidity. Water is another option with your meal.
-
Choosing a multipack without checking the cans
Can sizes and named varieties differ, so a multipack title alone may not answer how much caffeine is in one can.
Check the exact variety, can size, nutrition information and caffeine warning before buying a pack.
Brand references for this choice
Red Bull
Its 250ml Sugarfree can is a smaller-can example for comparing sugar and caffeine.
- Red Bull states 80mg caffeine per 250ml Sugarfree can.
- Sainsbury’s label identifies it as a high-caffeine drink; sugar-free does not mean caffeine-free.
Monster Energy
Its named zero-sugar varieties provide 500ml energy-drink examples.
- Monster Energy UK states 0g sugar and 150mg caffeine for a 500ml Ultra can, and 0g sugar and 160mg caffeine for a 500ml Absolutely Zero can.
- Compare the exact variety and full-can caffeine amount rather than applying one figure to every Monster can.
Lucozade
Lucozade Zero offers a zero-sugar soft-drink route rather than an energy-drink selection.
- Lucozade describes its Zero range as zero sugar.
- Check the particular variety’s label if its caffeine content matters to you.
Relentless
Relentless Origin is a useful contrast when checking whether a named drink is actually sugar-free.
- Sainsbury’s lists 3.7g sugars per 100ml for Relentless Origin.
- That named variety does not meet a zero-sugar requirement; check other varieties separately.
Joybuy energy-drink options
These energy-drink options include smaller cans and multipacks for shoppers considering a sugar-free or zero-sugar drink with a Chinese takeaway. Check each named variety’s label, particularly when comparing caffeine across can sizes.
Image unavailable
Monster Energy Ultra Zero Sugar 6x4x500ml
This zero-sugar Ultra option comes as a case of 500ml cans. Monster Energy UK states 150mg caffeine per 500ml Ultra can; account for other caffeine consumed that day and check the exact pack before buying.
Image unavailable
Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink 250ml 4 Pack
The 250ml cans offer a smaller serving when you want a sugar-free energy drink with your meal. Red Bull states 80mg caffeine per Sugarfree can; the smaller can is not caffeine-free.
Image unavailable
Monster Energy Green Zero Sugar 12 Cans
This Green Zero Sugar option is sold as a 12-can pack. Check the exact cans’ size and caffeine information before deciding whether one can suits your plans for the evening.
Image unavailable
Monster (Japan Version) Ultra Carbonated Energy Drink 355ml
The 355ml can offers a different serving size from the 250ml and 500ml examples. Check this Japan Version can’s sugar information, caffeine amount for the whole can and high-caffeine warning rather than applying figures from another Ultra variety.
Questions about sugar and caffeine
Does zero sugar mean an energy drink has little caffeine?
No. Red Bull states 80mg caffeine per 250ml Sugarfree can, while Monster Energy UK states 150mg per 500ml Ultra can and 160mg per 500ml Absolutely Zero can. Compare caffeine for the complete can, not the sugar claim alone.
Does choosing a zero-sugar fizzy drink remove dental considerations?
No. The NHS says carbonated drinks can be associated with dental erosion because of their acid content, whether they contain sugar or sweeteners. A zero-sugar claim addresses sugar, not acidity.
How should I count caffeine during pregnancy?
The NHS advises no more than 200mg caffeine a day during pregnancy. Count all sources, including coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, chocolate and some supplements, rather than considering a takeaway-night drink on its own.