How much sugar is in PLEZi? An In-Depth Nutrition Guide

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Plezi Nutrition, co-founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama, is a company focused on reducing sugar content in beverages for children. The amount of sugar in PLEZi products varies depending on the specific product, with options like juice boxes and sports hydration drinks containing different total sugar amounts per serving.

Quick Summary

A detailed look at the sugar content across PLEZi's product line, comparing it to other leading beverages and outlining its nutritional profile for informed consumer decisions.

Key Points

Low Sugar Content: PLEZi juice boxes contain 5 grams of total sugar per 6.75 oz, compared to an average of 21 grams in leading 100% fruit juices.
No Added Sugar: Across all product lines, PLEZi uses no added sugar, relying on real fruit juice and stevia for sweetness.
Varies by Product: The specific sugar amount depends on the product: 5g in juice boxes, 12g in Hydration drinks, and 10g in FIZZ carbonated drinks.
Includes Fiber and Nutrients: Many PLEZi products contain added fiber, vitamin C, and electrolytes, offering more nutritional value than some conventional sugary drinks.
Used to Adjust Palates: The brand's goal is to help kids gradually acclimate to less sweet flavors, reducing cravings for high-sugar alternatives.
Not a Replacement for Water: While a healthier alternative, public health advocates suggest PLEZi should not replace water as a child's primary beverage.

Understanding PLEZi's Approach to Sugar

PLEZi Nutrition was founded with the mission to reduce the amount of sugar kids consume from beverages, a mission supported by public health advocates. Instead of added sugar, PLEZi uses a combination of real fruit juice and stevia leaf extract to achieve its desired level of sweetness. This approach is intended to help children adjust their palates to crave less intense sweetness over time. However, the total sugar content, derived from the fruit juice, varies across different PLEZi product lines, making it important for consumers to read the nutrition labels carefully.

The Sugar Content in PLEZi Juice Boxes

For the young-children-focused product line, PLEZi juice boxes, the sugar content is notably lower than many competing products.

Total Sugar: The juice boxes contain 5 grams of total sugar per 6.75 oz carton.
No Added Sugar: This sugar comes exclusively from the real fruit juice used in the blend.
Significant Reduction: This represents a 75% reduction in sugar compared to the average leading 100% fruit juices, which often contain around 21 grams per similar serving size.

In addition to lower sugar, each juice box also provides 2 grams of fiber and 100% of the daily value for vitamin C, offering more nutritional benefits than many high-sugar fruit juice options.

The Sugar in PLEZi Hydration Sports Drinks

PLEZi also offers a hydration line aimed at a slightly older, more active audience, co-developed with NBA star Stephen Curry. This product has a different nutritional profile to accommodate its purpose as a sports drink.

Total Sugar: A 16.9 oz bottle of PLEZi Hydration contains 12 grams of total sugar.
No Added Sugar: Like the juice boxes, this sugar is sourced from the fruit juice blend and not from added sweeteners.
Electrolytes: The hydration line is also fortified with electrolytes, such as 500mg of potassium, which is significantly more than many traditional sports drinks.
Comparative Advantage: The 12 grams of total sugar is less than half the amount found in some leading regular sports drinks.

The Sugar in PLEZi FIZZ Carbonated Drinks

For those who prefer a carbonated beverage, PLEZi FiZZ offers another low-sugar option, designed to compete with sugary sodas.

Total Sugar: Each 12 oz can of PLEZi FiZZ contains 10 grams of total sugar.
No Added Sugar: The product contains no added sugar, with sweetness derived from fruit juice and stevia.
Significant Reduction: This is a substantial reduction compared to leading regular soft drinks, which average around 40 grams of sugar per 12 oz serving.

This product also provides a good source of fiber and 100% of the daily value for vitamin C.

Comparison Table: PLEZi vs. Conventional Drinks


Product	Serving Size	Total Sugar	Added Sugar	Key Features	Source
PLEZi Juice Box	6.75 fl oz	5g	0g	Fiber, Vitamin C
Leading 100% Fruit Juice	6.75 fl oz	~21g	0g	Often lacks fiber
PLEZi Hydration	16.9 fl oz	12g	0g	500mg Potassium, Vitamin C
Leading Regular Sports Drink	16.9 fl oz	~28g	~28g	Electrolytes
PLEZi FIZZ	12 fl oz	10g	0g	Fiber, Vitamin C, Carbonation
Leading Soft Drink	12 fl oz	~40g	~40g	Carbonation

The Role of Stevia in PLEZi's Formulation

One of the key elements allowing PLEZi to offer a less-sweet, no-added-sugar option is the use of stevia leaf extract. Stevia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia rebaudiana plant. It provides a clean sweetness without the metabolic impact of sugar. PLEZi's formulation uses stevia alongside real fruit juice to create a palatable taste that is significantly less sweet than many conventional fruit drinks, helping to gradually retrain a child's palate to prefer less sugar.

Potential Concerns and Context

While PLEZi's lower sugar content is a positive step, it is important to place these products in a broader dietary context. Some critics, such as Marion Nestle of Food Politics, have raised questions about whether these beverages should be considered a truly 'healthy' choice compared to water, despite having less sugar. The addition of fiber and vitamins is beneficial, but beverages like PLEZi are still processed products. As the company's educational initiatives emphasize, water should still be the primary beverage choice for children.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice about PLEZi

In summary, the sugar content in PLEZi is considerably lower than in many popular fruit juices, sports drinks, and sodas. The company has made a concerted effort to reduce sugar and sweetness while incorporating beneficial nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. However, the specific sugar amount varies by product line, with juice boxes containing 5g (6.75oz), Hydration drinks containing 12g (16.9oz), and FiZZ drinks containing 10g (12oz). For parents and consumers looking to reduce sugar intake, especially added sugar, PLEZi offers a viable alternative. Nevertheless, beverages like PLEZi should be considered in the context of a balanced diet where water remains the primary source of hydration.

Sources:

: Why PLEZi - PLEZi
: FAQ - PLEZi
: Juice Box - Tropical Fruit Punch - PLEZi
: Michelle Obama's Plezi Nutrition Drink May Not Qualify as ... - Bloomberg.com
: Hydration - Tropical Punch - PLEZi
: Plezi Cherry Limeade 12fz - 12 FZ - carrsqc
: PLEZi: Better for kids? Healthier? - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
: Press - PLEZi
: Michelle Obama launches food and drink company to ... - CBS News

Frequently Asked Questions

No, all PLEZi products, including the juice boxes, Hydration drinks, and FiZZ, contain no added sugar. The total sugar content comes solely from the natural fruit juice used in the recipe.

A single 6.75 oz PLEZi juice box contains 5 grams of total sugar. This is significantly less than most leading 100% fruit juices on the market.

PLEZi Hydration sports drinks contain 12 grams of total sugar per 16.9 oz bottle. This is less than half the sugar of many regular sports drinks.

A 12 oz can of PLEZi FIZZ carbonated fruit drink has 10 grams of total sugar. The company notes this is 75% less sugar than the average leading soft drink.

PLEZi uses a combination of real fruit juice and stevia leaf extract for sweetness. Stevia is a natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from a plant.

PLEZi drinks generally have a lower total sugar content than many 100% fruit juices, with added fiber and nutrients. The company's goal is to reduce overall sweetness, helping kids crave less sugar over time.

While praised for reducing sugar, some critics argue that PLEZi, as a processed beverage, is not necessarily a 'healthy' choice compared to water. However, it offers a distinct improvement over many conventional high-sugar drinks.