Healthiest And Unhealthiest Lemonades (Slideshow)

104 calories, 26.8 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

At 104 calories per 8 fluid ounces, this drink has about the same number of calories and about the same amount of sugar as some of its competitors, but rather than coming from cane sugar, Minute Maid derives its sweetness from corn syrup. At only 3% juice, this is more "lightly lemon-scented corn syrup-water" than it is lemonade. "When you see high fructose corn syrup in the ingredient list, ditch it," Dr. Verma says. "You know the foods are not real, whole, or fresh, but processed, and usually laden with preservatives and additives."

92 calories, 23.2 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

While it has slightly less sugar than most of the other lemonades on the list, Country Time also employs high fructose corn syrup instead of sugar, and does not appear to actually have lemons in it. "Wood rosin" makes the ingredients list, however. Additionally, Dr. Verma has a thought-provoking response to the people who claim that corn syrup is natural because it's derived from corn. "Calling high fructose natural sugar because it comes from (probably GMO) corn is like calling cigarettes a natural herbal therapy," she says. Put that in your drink and sip on it.

120 calories, 28 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

Tropicana has the same number of calories and sugar as Simply Lemonade, but incorporates white grapefruit pulp into the mix. If you're one of the many people who have a sensitivity to grapefruit, you may want to avoid this lemonade.

95 calories, 23 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

Upsides: Snapple has the second-lowest calories per 8 fluid ounces of any of the drinks on the list, and the lowest sugars overall. Downsides: if you're extremely allergic to soy, avoid this drink; Snapple's beverage contains soy lecithin, which may irritate some people with soy allergies.

120 calories, 28 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

Although tied with Tropicana for highest-sugar and most-caloric lemonades, Simply Lemonade is also among the purest: with just four ingredients (albeit one being 'natural flavors'), this drink should be okay as an occasional treat. "Americans consume almost 150 pounds of sugar yearly when only about 100 years ago the consumption was barely at 4 pounds per year," Dr. Verma tells us.

110 calories, 26 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

Towards the high end at 110 calories and 26 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces, Nantucket Nectars' lemonade also contains acerola fruit extract, which may be just fine for you (or even beneficial) but does interact with some drugs and may cause nausea.

110 calories, 27 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

We love the ingredients list, which is made up of water, sugar, and different parts of the lemon (juice concentrate, pulp, and oil, to be precise). We also like that this drink is 15% juice, which is a fairly high percentage — matched only by Nantucket Nectars'. Newman's is on the more caloric side, but if you sip it as an occasional treat, this drink is a great option

100 calories, 26 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces

Weighing in at 100 calories and 26 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces, Turkey Hill's lemonade isn't exactly a health drink, but if you're looking for a sweet summertime treat, this one beats the rest.