I recently got suckered by a local sparkling drink that looked like it belonged in a wellness influencer’s fridge. You know the type, soft colours, botanical flavour, “low sugar,” “no colourants,” “crafted.” It practically whispered, “I’m healthy, babe.”
And I believed it.
Especially because it featured one of my all-time favourite flavours: elderflower. I didn’t question it. I sipped it like it was liquid virtue.
Then I read the label.
Twelve grams of sugar.
Three teaspoons in one small can.
For someone managing chronic illness, inflammation, and fatigue, that’s a problem.
What happened?
I got healthwashed, misled by clever packaging that makes something seem healthy when it’s not.
These drinks use phrases like:
- Botanical
- Low Sugar
- Guilt-Free
- Plant-Powered
- Inspired by Nature
But they’re often hiding more sugar than you’d expect, or loaded with fruit concentrates and additives that don’t belong anywhere near a “clean” label.
Here’s what to watch out for:
“Low sugar” still adds up.
In South Africa, it can mean up to 5g per 100ml, so a 300ml drink can still sneak in 12g of sugar.
“Botanical” is branding, not nutrition.
It’s marketing fluff. It doesn’t mean the drink is good for you.
Always read the back of the label.
Ignore the pretty front. Flip it. Check the sugar per serving and the ingredients list.
Sneaky red flags:
- Serving size is 100ml, but the can is 300ml
- “Fruit juice concentrate” or “cane sugar” listed early
- Claims like “natural” or “artisan” with no real context
My takeaway?
Even products that look healthy can mess with your health, especially if you’re sensitive to sugar, trying to reduce inflammation, managing symptoms, or lose weight.
This isn’t about guilt.
It’s about knowing what’s in your food so you can make choices that support your body.
Because sugar has a sneaky little habit of dressing up in wellness drag.
Ever been healthwashed?
Tell me your sneakiest “thought it was healthy” product below
