Hard Seltzers and the Dieting Trend
In recent years, hard seltzers have exploded in popularity, largely propelled by a health-conscious consumer base looking for lower-calorie, lower-carb alcoholic beverages. For individuals following specific diet regimens like keto or simply watching their sugar intake, hard seltzers like Truly and White Claw seem like ideal choices. Both brands heavily market their low-calorie and low-sugar credentials, making them a fixture in the 'better for you' beverage category. While the difference in nutritional information might seem negligible at first glance, a detailed comparison is necessary to understand which, if any, holds a nutritional advantage. It's crucial to look beyond the flashy branding and dive into the specific ingredient and nutritional details of each product line.
Truly Hard Seltzer: The Nutritional Breakdown
Truly, one of the leading hard seltzer brands, offers a range of products with slightly varying nutritional profiles. For their standard hard seltzer line, a 12-ounce can consistently delivers on its promises. The alcohol is derived from fermented cane sugar. The core ingredients typically include filtered carbonated water, an alcohol base, natural flavors, and cane sugar.
Key nutritional facts for a standard 12oz Truly hard seltzer include:
- Calories: 100
- Sugars: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- ABV: 5%
Truly also offers a line of Vodka Seltzers, which have a slightly different composition and nutritional makeup, featuring six-times distilled vodka and real fruit juice. A 12oz can from this line typically contains:
- Calories: 110
- Sugars: 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 4 grams
- ABV: 5%
White Claw Hard Seltzer: The Nutritional Breakdown
White Claw, arguably the most iconic hard seltzer brand, also maintains a consistent nutritional standard across its classic product line. Their alcohol base is made from fermented sugars derived from gluten-free grains. Ingredients also include filtered carbonated water, natural flavors, and cane sugar.
Key nutritional facts for a standard 12oz White Claw hard seltzer include:
- Calories: 100
- Sugars: 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- ABV: 5%
Similarly, White Claw has expanded its lineup to include a Vodka + Soda series, made with their triple wave-filtered vodka and real fruit juice. A 12oz can in this line offers:
- Calories: 100
- Sugars: 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- ABV: 4.5%
Truly vs. White Claw: A Head-to-Head Nutritional Comparison
To determine which has less sugar, Truly or White Claw, it's essential to compare their most similar products. The answer varies depending on the specific product line.
Original Hard Seltzer Comparison
- Sugar: A standard 12oz Truly has 1 gram of sugar, while a standard 12oz White Claw has 2 grams of sugar. In this category, Truly has less sugar.
- Calories and Carbs: Both brands contain 100 calories and 2 grams of carbs per 12oz can, making their calorie and carbohydrate counts virtually identical.
Vodka Seltzer Comparison
- Sugar: Both Truly Vodka Soda and White Claw Vodka + Soda contain 2 grams of sugar per 12oz can. In this product category, the sugar content is the same.
- Calories and Carbs: There are slight differences here. Truly Vodka Soda has 110 calories and 4 grams of carbs, whereas White Claw Vodka + Soda has 100 calories and 2 grams of carbs. For those tracking carbs, White Claw's vodka offering has a slight advantage.
Ingredients and Base
Both brands use a fermented sugar base and natural flavorings. Truly's standard seltzer uses a fermented cane sugar base, while White Claw uses a base from fermented gluten-free grains. Both are gluten-free, but this difference in fermentation may contribute to the subtle variations in their final nutritional profile and flavor.
| Feature | Truly Hard Seltzer (12oz) | White Claw Hard Seltzer (12oz) | Truly Vodka Soda (12oz) | White Claw Vodka + Soda (12oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 100 | 100 | 110 | 100 |
| Sugar | 1g | 2g | 2g | 2g |
| Carbs | 2g | 2g | 4g | 2g |
| ABV | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4.5% |
Context for a Nutrition Diet
While Truly's standard hard seltzer has half the sugar of White Claw's, the difference is only 1 gram per can. In the grand scheme of a nutrition diet, this is a minor difference, especially considering hard seltzers are already very low in sugar compared to other mixed drinks or cocktails. However, those on very strict or low-carb diets like keto might appreciate even these small variations.
When evaluating hard seltzers, it's crucial to remember a few points for your overall nutrition and health:
- Empty Calories: All alcohol contains 'empty calories' and provides no significant nutritional value. While hard seltzers are lower in calories than many other alcoholic drinks, the calories still add up if consumed in large quantities.
- Moderation is Key: Health professionals stress that moderation is essential when consuming any alcoholic beverage. The CDC and other health organizations provide guidelines on responsible drinking.
- Variety Matters: Both Truly and White Claw have expanded their portfolios to include various lines, such as iced teas, stronger seltzers, and vodka sodas. These specialty products have different nutritional information than the standard seltzers. Always check the nutrition label for the specific product you are drinking.
Other Low-Sugar Alcohol Options
For those looking to minimize sugar intake even further, there are other low-sugar alcohol options to consider:
- Spirits with Sugar-Free Mixers: Spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila contain virtually no sugar. Pairing them with sugar-free mixers such as club soda, diet soda, or diet tonic water is an effective way to control sugar intake.
- Dry Wine: Dry red and white wines are low in residual sugar. A glass of dry wine typically contains less sugar than a can of hard seltzer.
- Light Beer: Many light beers are also low in calories and sugar, though their carb content is often higher than hard seltzers.
Conclusion
For standard hard seltzers, Truly has less sugar than White Claw, with Truly having 1 gram versus White Claw's 2 grams per 12oz can. However, this difference is marginal, and for their vodka-based seltzers, the sugar content is identical at 2 grams per can. While hard seltzers are generally a lower-sugar alcoholic option than many alternatives, it is important to consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Ultimately, for most consumers, the choice between Truly and White Claw in a nutrition diet comes down to flavor preference rather than significant nutritional differences. For those monitoring every last gram, Truly's standard seltzer offers a minimal edge in sugar content. For more comprehensive information on hard seltzer nutrition, consult a reputable source like WebMD.
