Naked Juice is Not All That Naked
August 8, 2013
0 Comments
By Betty Murray
After a lawsuit complaining that PepsiCo Inc.’s Naked juices are not “all natural,” as claimed by the drink company, the brand of juice drinks will no longer be labeled as “natural.” And PepsiCo will pay $9 million to settle the lawsuit.
The drinks have been touted as healthy and natural, but actually contain large amounts of sugar. A Naked favorite, ‘Green Machine’ contains 28 grams of sugar and 33 grams of carbohydrates per serving. (One 16-ounce bottle equals two servings.)
Naked claims to use an “added boost of vitamins,” in some of the company’s drinks, but the lawsuit claimed those vitamins are actually synthetic ingredients, such as a fiber made by Archer Daniels Midland.
The lawsuit against PepsiCo claims the company used the word “natural” to lure its target market looking for healthy, non-GMO products. The lawsuit goes on to claim that genetically modified organisms have been indeed added in some cases to Naked juices. PepsiCo denies that claim.
The issue isn’t about Naked juice so much as it is how the word “natural” is used in the industry. There is currently no definition by the Food and Drug Administration as to what can be classified as a natural product, so long as the food doesn’t have “added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances.”
Products labeled as natural can easily be misleading to consumers. If you want an all-natural, GMO-free fruit juice or smoothie, your best option is to make your own at home using a combination of your favorite organic fruits and vegetables.
Make your own “green machine” smoothie with this recipe:
Ingredients
• 1 small, frozen ripe banana, peeled
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 tbsp organic peanut butter
• 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 cup plan, fat-free Greek yogurt
Directions:
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. For a cool, refreshing smoothie, add ice.
Betty Murray, CN, HHC, RYT is a Certified Nutritionist & Holistic Health Counselor, founder of the Dallas-based integrative medical center, Wellness and founder of the www.metabolicblueprint.com wellness program. Betty’s nutrition counseling practice specializes in metabolic and digestive disorders and weight loss resistance. A master of the biochemistry of the body, Betty teaches her clients how to utilize nutritional interventions to improve their health. Betty is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine and the National Association of Nutrition Professionals.
See other content
Improving Health Markers with a Ketogenic Diet
Since the 1920s, very-low-carbohydrate diets or ketogenic diets have been used as a therapy for epilepsy and can, in some cases, completely remove the need for medication. Beginning in the 1960s onwards ketogenic diets became widely known as a common
What is Keto-Adaptation?
The ketogenic diet, also known as a low-carb diet or the low carb, high fat (LCHF) diet aids in weight loss by changing the way the body uses energy. Reducing net carb intake and increasing consumption of healthy fats induces
How A Ketogenic Diet Can Help You Lose Weight
February 12, 2016 0 Comments Many people first stumble upon the idea of ketosis while looking for a weight loss strategy. They’ve tried one diet after another, but have found that cutting calories isn’t effective and are in search of