Is Radnor Fizz One of Your Five a Day?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to NHS guidelines, a small glass (150ml) of 100% unsweetened fruit juice can count as one of your five-a-day, but no more. A bottle of Radnor Fizz contains 150ml of real fruit juice, meaning it does count as one of your five a day, though with important caveats to consider.

Quick Summary

A bottle of Radnor Fizz can contribute to one of your five-a-day portions due to its 150ml of real fruit juice content. This guide details UK government guidelines on fruit juice for the 5-a-day target.

Key Points

Single Portion Only: A 150ml bottle of Radnor Fizz counts as one of your five-a-day due to its real fruit juice content.
150ml Daily Limit: The NHS recommends limiting your total intake of fruit juice and smoothies to 150ml per day, so you cannot count more than one portion from these sources.
No Added Sugar (Still Contains Sugar): While Radnor Fizz has no added sugar, it still contains naturally occurring 'free sugars' from the concentrated fruit juice, which are absorbed more quickly than those from whole fruit.
Lacks Fibre: Unlike whole fruit, Radnor Fizz lacks dietary fibre, which is important for digestive health and satiety.
Consume with Meals: To reduce the impact on dental health, it's best to drink fruit juices like Radnor Fizz with a meal.
Prioritise Whole Fruits: The healthiest way to achieve your five-a-day is by eating a variety of whole fruits and vegetables.

Understanding the UK's 5-a-Day Guidelines

The UK government's '5-a-day' initiative promotes consuming at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily for better health. A standard portion is 80g of fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit or vegetables. However, guidelines for fruit juice are stricter due to concerns about free sugars. Free sugars include those added to food and drinks, plus natural sugars in juices and syrups. Juicing releases fruit's natural sugars, making them readily available.

The NHS states that unsweetened 100% fruit or vegetable juice or smoothies count as a maximum of one 5-a-day portion, regardless of the amount consumed. The recommended daily limit for these drinks is 150ml to manage free sugar intake and protect dental health. It's also advised to drink juices and smoothies with meals.

What makes Radnor Fizz eligible?

Radnor Fizz is a school-compliant drink in England and is marketed as contributing to the five-a-day count. Its eligibility stems from:

Real Fruit Juice: Each bottle contains 150ml of real fruit juice from concentrate.
No Added Sugar: The drink contains no added sugar, using natural fruit sugars and sucralose for sweetness.
Compliance: The product meets UK school nutritional standards and government criteria for the 5-a-day label.

Having precisely 150ml of fruit juice allows a single bottle of Radnor Fizz to count as one portion towards the daily five-a-day goal.

Radnor Fizz vs. Whole Fruit: A Nutritional Comparison


Feature	Radnor Fizz (150ml Portion)	Whole Fruit (e.g., Medium Apple)
Sugar Source	Naturally occurring sugars from concentrate + Sucralose sweetener	Naturally occurring fructose contained within the fruit's cells
Free Sugar Content	Contains free sugars from concentrated juice	Contains minimal free sugars, as they are contained within the cellular structure
Fibre Content	Negligible fibre	High in dietary fibre, which promotes healthy digestion and fullness
Dental Health	Higher risk of dental erosion due to free sugars and acidity; should be consumed with meals	Less impact on dental health due to cellular structure and fibre
Portion Contribution	Counts as one portion, limited to one per day	Counts as one portion (80g); multiple whole fruit portions can be consumed daily
Feeling of Fullness	Low satiety due to lack of fibre	High satiety due to fibre content and physical volume
Vitamins & Nutrients	Contains some vitamins and minerals from fruit juice	Contains a wider range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

The Importance of Whole Fruits

While Radnor Fizz can provide one 5-a-day portion, it doesn't replace whole fruits and vegetables, mainly due to fibre content. Whole produce is rich in dietary fibre, which is lost in juicing. Fibre aids digestion, blood sugar regulation, and satiety. Sugar in whole fruit is released slowly because it's held within cells. Juice sugar is 'free sugar' and absorbed quickly. UK advice prioritises whole fruits and vegetables over juices for optimal health.

Making a Healthy Choice with Radnor Fizz

Enjoying Radnor Fizz can be part of a healthy diet with responsible choices. Stick to the 150ml daily limit for all fruit juices and smoothies. One bottle of Radnor Fizz meets this limit; consuming more won't add more portions and increases free sugar intake.

Drinking it with a meal helps protect teeth from sugar exposure. Remember it's only one portion. Prioritise a variety of whole fruits and vegetables—fresh, frozen, and canned—for the remaining portions and essential fibre.

Conclusion: So, is Radnor Fizz one of your five a day?

Yes, a 150ml bottle of Radnor Fizz counts as one of your five-a-day according to UK guidelines. However, this is subject to important limits. Total daily intake of juices and smoothies should not exceed 150ml due to free sugar content. Also, Radnor Fizz lacks the fibre of whole fruits and vegetables. Therefore, while it contributes one portion, it shouldn't be the main source for your five-a-day. Most portions should come from whole produce for a balanced, healthy diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, according to NHS guidelines, drinks like Radnor Fizz and other juices or smoothies only count as a maximum of one portion of your five-a-day, regardless of how much you drink.

Fruit juice is limited because the juicing process releases the natural sugars from the fruit, making them 'free sugars' that can harm teeth and contribute to a quicker blood sugar spike compared to eating whole fruit.

Radnor Fizz is a healthier alternative to traditional sugary fizzy drinks as it is made with real fruit juice and no added sugar. However, its free sugar content means it should still be consumed in moderation.

No, the 'no added sugar' label means no extra sugar has been added, but the drink still contains naturally occurring sugars from the concentrated fruit juice. It also uses a sweetener, sucralose, for flavour.

While Radnor Fizz provides some vitamins, it lacks the beneficial dietary fibre found in whole fruit. The sugars in whole fruit are contained within its cells, leading to a slower release into the bloodstream.

Yes, Radnor Fizz is approved for schools in England and can be included in a balanced lunchbox. However, parents should be mindful of the 150ml daily limit for juice portions.

The rest of your five-a-day should come from whole fruits and vegetables, which can be fresh, frozen, or tinned. Examples include eating a piece of whole fruit, adding vegetables to your dinner, or snacking on chopped vegetables.