We all need a boost during a weekday afternoon, and many of us turn to energy drinks for some extra fuel throughout the day, but since these drinks often have sugar and flavourings, this can make them high in syns if you are not careful.
Some energy drinks are syn free, such as red bull sugar-free, however, some with sugar can have up to your whole daily syn allowance.
To help you figure out which energy drinks are syn free we have composed a short guide below which will take you through which energy drinks are syn free, syn values of full-sugar energy drinks and whether or not energy drinks are healthy on the SW plan.
Most energy drinks which have no sugar in them are syn free, this is because they are typically sweetened with sweeteners instead which don't have calories. Some people prefer to syn them as one or half a syn however to prevent over-drinking them due to them having little calories.
We've listed out some popular energy drinks you can find at the supermarket which are syn free down below.
Energy drinks that are not sugar-free do have syns which need to be counted, we've made a small list of branded ones below to help you stay on track and make wiser choices when it comes to syns.
Energy drinks have a love and hate reputation in the diet world, they are often very high in caffeine and sugars (unless you get the sugar free versions) which can be damaging to your health when consumed in excess.
However, having an energy drink when you feel tired now and then on the slimming world diet will not likely cause any harmful health effects, you should never mix energy drinks and alcohol however as it can increase its effects.
Other natural ways to get energy could be through black coffee and herbal teas which are syn free, you could also pick healthy foods such as carbs and dark chocolate to get an energy boost.
Overall, energy drinks are syn free on the slimming world plan as long as you choose the sugar-free version, we suggest however only have one energy drink a day in your diet due to the high amount of caffeine inside of them which can be harmful if drunk in excess.
Syn values are calculated using a formula based on calories, saturated fat and sugar content per serving. They’re not the same as calories — a product can be low in calories but higher in syns if it’s high in sugar or fat. Always check the official Slimming World app for the most accurate and up-to-date syn values.
Yes. When manufacturers reformulate their products, the syn value can go up or down. This is why we recommend double-checking with the Slimming World app or your consultant, especially if a product’s packaging has changed recently.
Most Slimming World members work with 5 to 15 syns per day. Your consultant will advise on the right amount for you. The key is to use your syns on the things you enjoy most — whether that’s a chocolate bar, a glass of wine, or a packet of crisps.
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