Someone wanting a smaller sugar-free can
A 250ml format gives you a defined single-can volume for lunch. Tesco lists Red Bull Sugarfree 250ml with 0g sugars and 3 kcal per 100ml; check its caffeine label as well as its nutrition panel.
Who might choose each drink?
Someone considering a larger zero-sugar can
If you want a 500ml drink, count the caffeine in the whole can rather than comparing only sugar claims. Tesco states that Monster Ultra 500ml contains 160mg caffeine per can.
Someone choosing a glucose-containing drink
Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose. Joybuy’s listing for Lucozade Energy Original PET gives 4.5g sugars per 100ml, so check whether that formulation matches what you want from your lunch drink.
What should you check?
Start with the amount you plan to drink, then compare the full-container caffeine amount and the sugar and ingredients on that variant’s label.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | Read the amount for the whole can or bottle, not just per 100ml. Count other caffeinated drinks you have that day. | I want to know how much caffeine lunch adds if I have also had coffee or tea. Tesco states that a 500ml can of Monster Ultra contains 160mg. |
| Sugar and ingredients | Compare sugars per 100ml and the volume you will drink. Check the ingredients for glucose syrup or sweeteners. | A sugar-free label matters to me, or I specifically want a glucose-containing drink. Joybuy’s Lucozade Energy Original PET listing gives 4.5g sugars per 100ml; Tesco lists Red Bull Sugarfree at 0g sugars per 100ml. |
| Serving size | Compare the individual can or bottle size, especially when looking at multipacks. Use that serving size when reading nutrition and caffeine figures. | For a short lunch, I may prefer a 250ml serving to a 500ml one; a multipack quantity does not change what is in each can. |
| Caffeine warning | Read the warning and caffeine information on the exact pack. GOV.UK food-labelling guidance requires a specified warning on drinks containing more than 150mg caffeine per litre. | I need to check whether a high-caffeine drink is appropriate for me or someone I am buying for, rather than relying on the flavour or brand name. |
Common buying mistakes
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Checking sugar but overlooking caffeine
Zero sugar does not mean caffeine-free. Tesco lists Monster Ultra 500ml as zero sugar and states 160mg caffeine for the full can.
Read the full-can figure and include coffee, tea and other caffeinated products when considering your day’s intake.
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Treating glucose-containing and sugar-free drinks as interchangeable
Joybuy’s Lucozade Energy Original PET listing includes glucose syrup and gives 4.5g sugars per 100ml, while Tesco lists Red Bull Sugarfree at 0g sugars per 100ml.
Compare the ingredients and nutrition panel for the precise flavour and pack size you intend to buy.
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Choosing an energy drink when you mainly want a drink with lunch
An energy drink adds caffeine to a meal. The NHS identifies water as a way to stay hydrated and advises moderation with caffeine.
If caffeine is not what you want, consider water or sparkling water instead of choosing an energy drink for its fizz alone.
Brand references
Red Bull
Its Sugarfree 250ml can is a smaller-format option for comparing sugar and serving size.
- Tesco lists 0g sugars and 3 kcal per 100ml for Red Bull Sugarfree 250ml.
- Sugar-free does not mean caffeine-free; read the caffeine warning on the can.
Monster
Monster Ultra is a 500ml zero-sugar option for shoppers considering a larger drink.
- Tesco states that Monster Ultra 500ml contains 160mg caffeine per can.
- Include the whole can’s caffeine when considering other caffeinated drinks that day.
Relentless
Relentless White Citrus is a carbonated citrus-flavour energy drink, according to the brand’s product page.
- The White Citrus description identifies both sugar and sweetener.
- Check the specific pack’s nutrition and caffeine information before comparing it with another flavour or size.
Lucozade Energy
Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose.
- Joybuy’s Original PET listing identifies glucose syrup and caffeine and gives 4.5g sugars per 100ml.
- Check the label of the exact variant and size rather than applying the Original PET figures to the whole range.
Joybuy product options
These multipacks offer different individual serving sizes for a fizzy desk-lunch drink. Compare the label on each can before choosing how much to have.
No image availableRed Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink 250ml 24 Pack
The 250ml individual size may suit a shorter desk lunch. This is a 24-pack, so compare the label per can when checking caffeine and nutrition.
No image availableMonster Ultra White 12x500ml
Each 500ml drink is a larger lunch serving than a 250ml option. Check this White variant’s full-can caffeine and nutrition figures rather than borrowing figures from another Monster Ultra listing.
No image availableCELSIUS Kiwi Guava 12x355ml
The 355ml individual size falls between the 250ml and 500ml options shown here. Compare the Kiwi Guava pack’s sugar, caffeine and warning information for the amount you plan to drink.
Questions about choosing
Is a sugar-free energy drink automatically low in caffeine?
No. Sugar and caffeine are separate things to check: Tesco lists Red Bull Sugarfree 250ml at 0g sugars per 100ml, while its Monster Ultra 500ml listing states 160mg caffeine for the full can. Read both figures on the product you choose.
Should I count caffeine from coffee or tea as well?
Yes. The European Food Safety Authority’s 2015 opinion considers daily caffeine from all sources, not just energy drinks, when discussing intake for adults in the general population. The NHS advises pregnant people not to have more than 200mg caffeine a day, so check the drink alongside other sources rather than treating lunch separately.
Why check the label on a familiar flavour?
The exact flavour and pack size determine which ingredients and nutrition figures you are comparing. Read the caffeine information, sugar figure and any high-caffeine warning on that pack; GOV.UK food-labelling guidance specifies a warning for drinks above 150mg caffeine per litre.
Is Lucozade Energy Original PET caffeine-free?
No: Joybuy’s Lucozade Energy Original PET listing includes caffeine in its ingredients, alongside glucose syrup. Check the exact variant’s label rather than assuming all sparkling drinks containing glucose have the same formulation.