An advertisement caught my eye yesterday while I was looking for something to read on the airplane… In the seat pocket in front of me, I found a little pamphlet for the new USAirways menu – it had Seagram’s new Ginger Ale blasted all over it. The ad said “made with real ginger” and now “25% fewer calories.” I have to admit, this got me a little excited – I thought “holy smokes, there might just be a ginger ale on the market that won’t kill you.” But then I looked up the ingredients and found out the truth. I should have known it was too good to be true – the marketing on the flyer was complete BS.
AND THEN… this afternoon I saw 2 little girls about 4 years old sipping double Seagram’s Ginger Ales while out with their mom… I wanted to say something SO BADLY… it BROKE MY HEART. Surely this mom has no clue what’s really in this stuff, right? Needless to say – these encounters inspired me to write this post.
How Much Ginger Does Typical Ginger Ale Really Have?
First of all – I don’t even see REAL ginger on the label – do you? They might be talking about the “natural flavors” that could contain some real ginger, but also probably a bunch of other nasties that you’ll never be able to find out because the formula is proprietary. If you don’t see the word “ginger” on the label – the amount is negligible. Using natural flavors as opposed to real ginger allows companies to use a much cheaper ingredient that usually has ZERO health benefits.
Artificial Color Is Added To Trick You
Seagram’s (Coca Cola is the parent company) adds caramel coloring to make this drink look more golden than it actually is – mimicking the REAL color of ginger. This type of caramel isn’t the stuff you make at home by cooking sugar. This caramel color is manufactured by heating ammonia and sulfites under high pressure, which creates carcinogenic compounds. Getting a dose of this known carcinogen is proven to cause liver tumors, lung tumors, and thyroid tumors in rats and mice.
It’s amazing this stuff is even on the FDA’s approved list of additives considering it is only added for cosmetic reasons and serves no real purpose (other than to trick consumers!).
A Preservative Linked To Hyperactivity & Aging
The Mayo Clinic reported that the preservative sodium benzoate (an ingredient found in many different brands of Ginger Ales) may increase hyperactivity in children. Also, when sodium benzoate combines with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) benzene can form a carcinogen and kill DNA cells, accelerating aging.
Hidden Artificial Sweeteners
The artificial sweetener “Sucralose” (a.k.a. Splenda) is added to keep the calories down (hence the “25% fewer calories” label), make it unnaturally sweet and get you addicted. Seagram’s recently did a rebranding campaign and snuck this ingredient in without telling anyone officially that they were changing their formula to include artificial sweeteners. Recent research out of Europe showed rats developed leukemia after consuming Sucralose. This is obviously an ingredient no one should be consuming… especially if you are trying to lose weight and save calories.
And if you think other brands are better – that use this same “made with real ginger” (like Canada Dry) promise on their packaging, you got another thing coming – they just use straight up high fructose corn syrup that is one of the worst sugars you could ever put in your body, linked to obesity and is likely make from GMO corn.
Investigating Seagrams inspired me to order a homemade ginger ale from my favorite organic cafe (Luna’s Living Kitchen) when I got off the plane last night. Knowing that not all of you have access to this amazing gem that is here in Charlotte – I decided to recreate the recipe just for you. I know you are going to love this! It’s so refreshing…here are all the details:
- 2 inch piece of ginger juiced (or more if you like it really spicy!)
- 12 ounces of sparkling or carbonated water
- squeeze of lemon
- 2 tbsp coconut nectar, honey or maple syrup (more if you like it really sweet)
- Combine all ingredients and enjoy!
- Tip: If you don't have a juicer, you can blend the ginger with the lemon juice and squeeze the juice out of a cheese cloth
Cheers to getting some Real Ginger Ale with real ginger!
Vani
P.S. Please share this post with anyone you still know drinking Ginger Ale thinking it’s better than Coke – because it’s obviously not! I can only hope that by some act of sharing that the mother I saw today with her 2 children will get clued in about this horrible drink and have an alternative to share with her family.
Thank you SO much for posting this recipe. I thought you might after all the positive feedback 🙂 It kills me when I see or hear parents say things like, “oh, our kids don’t drink soda, only root beer and sprite.” Oh god, are you kidding me!? I am sharing this FOR SURE. Thank you! Thank you!!!! xoxo
I recently purchased this ginger ale and love it! Please tell me it’s foodbabe approved (fingers crossed). http://www.hansens.com/us/en/products/soda/blue-sky/bs-ginger-ale/
I am wondering about the ‘natural’ Ginger flavor, whether or not it’s the ‘real’ thing on this Blue Sky Ginger Ale. It may or may not be.
I want to know what she thinks, too. I like Blue Sky cola.
I have a feeling she is going to say, not so good… Because there is Cane Juice in it, which is another name for SUGAR. Don’t let “organic” before “cane juice” convince you that it’s healthy. That’s just a marketing ploy.
Yikers! It contains 39 grams of sugar. Daily sugar intake should not exceed 25 grams in one entire day, and that’s for healthy people.
Whole Foods 365 “Natural” Ginger Ale 64oz only has 25 grams of sugar.
Only 25g? That exceeds recommended daily guidelines I’ve seen from any wellness-focused physician or health advocate. Sugar promotes inflammation in the body, which is a major conduit for illnesses and negative conditions galore, from auto-immune diseases to cancer to premature aging. Carbs contribute to this, as well. I realize you specified 25g for a large bottle, which is better, although most soda drinkers have a hard time stopping at just 8oz in a day. Not jumping on you. Just wanted to highlight the sugar danger.
Sounds yummy, but I don’t understand how you juice ginger. In fact, ginger is a ingredient that I really don’t know how to use, or extract anything out of. Maybe you could do a tutorial on how to use ginger in recipes?
You can buy ginger root from the grocery store and cut a piece off to use in your juicer or blender. She has smoothie and juice recipes that contain ginger & they are delish!!
I think I learned this on this site:
buy your ginger root
peel your ginger root
put in jar and store in freezer
when you want ginger ale
simply take a piece of the frozen ginger
and use a cheese grater to grate some ginger into a glass before adding the other ingredients (sweetener, water and ice), all to taste.
simple.
love you babe!
Try a small piece at a time squeezed through a hand held garlic press. It works for me.
Thank you so much for posting this! This may be a silly question but how do you juice ginger?
I love this post! Thank you. I had no idea about caramel coloring. I am was actually concerned as I drink Zevia which I thought was fine as it’s available at wholefoods but their products contain caramel coloring too.
I like Zevia too. Is all caramel coloring alike in cola type beverages?
@jennifer – I’d you mince ginger, you’ll get a lot of juice from it. You could easily strain it. Great recipe!
Ever day I gently simmer thin slices of fresh organic ginger in some filtered water for a few minutes and then store it in the fridge for the next day …. I haven’t drank a “soda” in 20+ years – who needs that crap? – and fresh ginger is cheap and healthy!
I started drinking this– http://reedsinc.com/product/reeds-original-ginger-brew/
Obviously, because of the calorie and sugar content, this is a “sometimes” food and not an everyday food, but I think it might pass muster with you. AND it’s delicious!
We have a bottle of Reed’s, Izzy or carbonated water once or twice a month – decent stuff on a home movie night.
What can we do? Call coca cola and ask why they feel they can lie and mislead the public? Please advise on action we the consumers can take. Thanks for all the great info.
Joey – The best thing we can do is share this information with friends and family and together not buy this stuff! Also… of course you could share this post on their facebook page too! https://www.facebook.com/SeagramsGingerAle
It’s too bad we can’t all be as perfect as you! I appreciate the information that you provide and that you take the time to look into things and share but you seriously need to stop with the self righteous approach. It’s very discouraging because I truly believe the information you’re providing people with is important but you’re attitude is going to drive a lot of people away and make them give up. Also, perhaps you shouldn’t be judging that mom in the supermarket considering you have no idea what being a mother involves.
It is unfortunate you see my heart, passion and caring for everyone around me as judgmental… I have so much fire in me I want to shout out on top of roof tops… I wish I could tell everyone the truth about what they are eating and feeding to their families. So many people are in the dark, and that’s why I shared my story and how I felt when I saw those 2 little girls.
Food Babe, Your my hero ! Keep up the Good Work…It is nice to see a girl with a little personality.
You’re doing the right thing, Food Babe. I don’t understand the “guilt” the some people feel or that they are not measuring up in some way? I just don’t get it. You are providing VITAL information to others in order for them to make better, healthier food choices. They can accept it or not. At least they now have the information. Recently, my father-in-law posted an article about food additives (preservatives, dyes, etc…) and asked for input. I posted that we had been concerned about these things for years, and that we don’t eat things that have these additives in them. Rather, we eat whole, organic food. We eat almost nothing that comes in a package or a box, rather we shop at our farmer’s market, and buy grass fed beef, chicken and eggs. We don’t use salad dressings, etc…rather we use organic olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon, and Herbamare. My brother-in-law (a Medical Doctor) responded in the following way:
“There are foods out there that are less healthy than others.
As you can see in this discussion of ingredients, there are many foods listed that one would consider less healthy choices anyway, such as: sodas, chips, processed foods, packaged baked goods, etc.
Normally, we would want to limit these in our diets.
Fresh food and home made are usually better, but for some families not always practical.
I believe parents would never try to intentionally poison their children.
And so, raising this awareness is helpful but I would caution us not to be too fanatical about food choices.
We should use wisdom yes. But, I hope we are careful not to instil control or guilt.”
In some respect his response blew me away – “not too fanatical, instill control or guilt” – might have been in direct response to my post. So sadly some really do feel threatened if you simply explain (when invited no less) how you eat and why.
My parents don’t talk to me, anymore. They don’t want to hear how eating real unprocessed, organic food turned my health around. Initially, I was blown away that they were not happy for me. Now, I think they would rather stay in denial about their own eating habits and how it might have impacted their well being. My Mom’s meds took two pages of notebook paper to list.
I hear you…I really do.
Hi Food Babe,
I’m alot like you when I’m out in the public and I see people eating and buying all this horrible GMO food it makes me so sick I just want to tell everyone about GMO food and sometimes I do tell some people, I have learned alot from you Food Babe keep up the great work and I’m doing all I can by taking action and signing peitions and calling and emailing alot of food company’s.
Open eyes are a blessing & a curse. I’m grateful to finally understand the dangers in our food supply, so I can make health-supporting choices. We should all have the right to choose with our eyes fully open and all info truthfully, simply laid before us. If someone told the average citizen they HAD to eat the toxins found in typical American favorites, explaining what each of those toxins does to brain & body, they’d likely be outraged. Because toxins are woven in behind false claims, enticing packaging, excitotoxins and alluring spokespeople or characters, ppl are missing the dangers & the knowledge needed to make informed choices. It pains me to see diabetic preteens, young adults diagnosed with “later life” conditions–serious conditions–decades earlier than previous generations. US life expectancy has declined. It’s heartbreaking. I believe FoodBabe’s passion is not judgment; it’s a desire for us to become aware that far better alternatives exist to what has been foisted upon us. Thanks, FoodBabe!
To those who criticize The Food Babe, I learned awhile ago in a self-help group,
“TAKE WHAT YOU LIKE, AND LEAVE THE REST.”
To say that she will drive others away by her passion only means those “others” want a reason to take the easy road.
Hey Kris – Food Babe is doing her job – spreading the word about the corporate food industry that is trying to either get you addicted to their products or just flat out poison you and take your money. If you don’t like it – don’t read her website or posts and continue to poison yourself and give all your money to the corporate agriculture conglomerates. People don’t like hearing the truth, and you are a perfect example of it!!!
I have to agree with Kris. I don’t usually comment, but between your comment about Angelina Jolie on Facebook and now this, I have become increasingly frustrated with the righteous and judgmental attitude that seems to permeate some of these posts. I understand that it is difficult to talk about food health and food justice without sounding preachy – I have battled this with friends and family since I started my whole foods journey (one that has its own slights and off-days), but people are not going to be turned on to making these choices if they feel judged, or like they are inferior. You know so much, and that is wonderful, but as an activist your job is to be a light for people who don’t know, and to provide them with all the right information to make better choices. Not to make them feel ashamed that they don’t have your same information base. I have not stopped unsubscribing to your newsletter and Facebook feed because I think you provide wonderful information, but as of late, the tone has been really frustrating and disappointing to read.
You say that her tone is self-righteous as if you’re hearing her speak these words. You’re reading them off the page, there is no voice. Any indication of self-righteousness is the from the head of the reader.
Thank you for respectfully writing this. I’ve felt this way about many posts here and on other websites.
Food babe youre awesome not self righteous! Thank you for always using your time and energy to help others better understand the issues with our food industry. You do the work many dont have the time for and you are obviously passionate about it!
Check out Reeds Ginger brew!!
Reed’s rocks! That’s real ginger ale!
I just wish Reed’s was organic – but it’s much better than the other stuff out there for the most part.
Where do you buy Reeds Ginger brew I’ve never heard of it or seen it here in any of our stores?
I get it at Kroger’s
Is regular Sirrea Mist soda a healthy drink?
NO! Please stay away 🙂
what the heck Kris? attitude from the Babe? how anyone can extrapolate anything negative from this site that should not be divulged shocks me. Since learning as much as possible from this site I’ve cut down by 1/2 my depression meds, lost 35 lbs, helped my family get off sugar and as many gmo’s as possible, fake food colors, fillers of who knows what, food that is processed that doesn’t really need to be processed, learned recipes of dishes that are as easy as a grilled cheese sand, and learned that the Babe is like Mary Poppins…..NOT PERFECT, BUT PRACTICALLY PERFECT IN EVERY WAY. and she hasn’t charged me one red cent. I almost sense some guilt from a mom who is giving kids nasty carbs instead of fruit and good protein and WATER oh did I mention WATER? look inward, see the overall GOOD the food babe is selflessly supplying us old fat and ugly folks like me. and everyone else. thanks Sis
That’s great to hear that she has helped you – and I’m sure countless others – in such a dramatic way! We have learned a lot from her as well and I really do appreciate the information I get from her more than I can express through a computer screen! You’re absolutely right that I feel guilt as a parent even though we haven’t eaten processed foods or sugar in our home for awhile. I guess the frustration comes from the fact that I’m not the only one that’s responsible for what goes into my children’s bodies and I know that sinking feeling when I pick up my kids from a friends house and they have a jug of chocolate milk in one hand and a bag of candies in the other and when I try to share information with them all they have to say is “she sure is extreme isn’t she”. It would just be nice to be able to reach more than just the people already willing to change their lifestyle.
I’m with you, Kris. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world and there are others feeding our children sometimes, as you say. I, too, feel that sinking feeling when my children are invited to parties with birthday cake or play dates where I know they’ll be exposed to foods I don’t want them to have. But you cannot control them 100% once they reach a certain age, and the harder you try, the more they will rebel. We just have to do the best we can in the world we live in, set the best examples we know how to ourselves, and take it one day and one bite at a time. The good news for me is, in teaching my six year old how to read labels and avoid things, he is learning to make better choices for himself, and that is what I want him to stick with as he grows. Knowledge is power.
It saids it’s all natural what’s bad in it?
Why can’t you be in control of what your kids 100% of the time? I agree that it won’t KILL them (may make at least my kid go insane for 24 hrs) to have some birthday cake at a party but there are just some things that shouldn’t even be considered a treat. My 3 yr old has declined certain foods saying, “That’s yucky, it will make my tummy hurt.” Much to my delight. You have to really educate them on why we eat what we eat! No age is too young. When we see mcdonalds commercials we always yell “EWWW!” so that subconsciously he wont ever think of it as food. I don’t let anyone keep my child that will not comply to my standards as far as eating is concerned. As parents it is our right to enforce our standards! Sure my son will probably turn out to be a food snob and I am often called an elitist but hey — whatever it takes to keep my family as healthy and safe as possible 😉 I even put sugar as one of his major allergies when I once in a while put him in nursery for church service. Big glowing yellow sticker on his back that said WARNING! Allergic to SUGAR. Lol. I do think if you really take the time to educate kids on why we “don’t eat certain things” it makes a difference when they are where we can’t monitor things. I know 100% of the time isn’t realistic, but I’d say for us it’s a good 98%.
What’s bad in Natural Sierra Mist soda?
Thanks for posting this! Any chance of a homemade rootbeer recipe? Would so love! 🙂 Don’t like the options even @ the health food stores (are in BPA lined cans &/or are in glass but made w caramel colour).
Could I press ginger through my garlic masher thingy????
Mmmm… never tried that, but I bet it would work!
Yes! I’ve done it!
Same here – don’t own a juicer but interested in this recipe
Mike – you can use a blender and strain the juice using a strainer or cheese cloth. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
coca cola is owned by MONSANTO I love ginger and tried a Mexican brand made with real ginger and sugar , I really don’t drink much soda but this was very HOT stuff , I mean the Mexicans love their hot ginger ale. I turned a few family members on to this and they love it.
While Coca Cola and Monsanto are both multinationals with dubious (to say the least) public heath records, neither one owns the other. Please check your facts. http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/04/10/no-these-food-companies-are-not-owned-by-monsanto.aspx
coca cola is owned by MONSANTO good luck with that , Looks like a great drink , I do love ginger!
It’s really easy to juice ginger. Take your piece of raw ginger – you don’t have to peel it. Use your PLANER (the tool that you use for lemon zest). grate the whole piece of ginger with the planer. Scoop the ginger up into your (clean) hand and squeeze the juice out into a bowl. It’s a simple as that. Ginger is chock full of juice and it hardly takes any effort to get it. Just try it once and you’ll see what I mean. You could also pre-make up some ginger juice and lemon juice in the correct proportions and keep it in a bottle in your refrigerator. I make a new bottle of my ginger/lemon juice every week – I use it for other things… stirfry, salads, mix it with water and some apple cider vinegar to drink, etc.
Did you also notice that the calorie count per serving is 100. That’s way higher than Iced green tea with some ginger juice added to it.
…just what we’ve been talking about on Facebook page!!! Thank you so much! The recipe looks Delicious!
aVa health, LLC
I must say that while I totally agree that this stuff is horrible, when my son gets sick or has a tummy ache, I usually get whatever ginger ale I can find at the CVS closest to my house because I dont want to be traipsing all over town with a kid about to blow. Even if it isn’t made with real ginger, it seems to settle his tummy and keep him hydrated. I did finally start keeping a more natural brand in the pantry but I just thought I would add that it’s difficult to be perfect all the time.
Hmmm. I think it is the carbonation that helps. Possibly make some carbonated water and add ginger juice?
You can always try probiotics for a tummy ache…it works like a charm. In order to avoid tummy aches probiotics can be used prophylactically by strengthening the immune system.
I’ve never really understood why everyone thinks ginger ale or sprite are good for tummy aches/bugs. Even my grown siblings who were raised healthy whine for that stuff when they are sick. It’s the carbonation that helps. The sugar content will only keep one sick for longer, as it severely plays down the immune system for a length of time whenever ingested.
I actually think I’ve heard that ginger can settle an upset tummy as like a homeopathic treatment. I’m sure carbonation helps too.
But I do love you Food Babe and all you do!
So I was at the supermarket yesterday getting Coconut water, and organic milk etc. for my family, and I over hear a grandson ask his grandmother for a large bottle of water $0.89 and she told him NO. She then handed him a Sprite $ 1.29. He then looks at his brother, and says “I still would rather have the water.” This made me soooooooooo mad I am still upset about it. How dare she let him get a sprite when he wanted water. I really wanted to tell her she is poising him slowly.
I have a MS in Microbiology/Nutrition, however, it is only in recent years I have felt the pressure to be a cautious consumer, so as to avoid being a frequent health care consumer. I have taken to researching food additives, vitamin and processed food composition.
I love the course of action you have undertaken Food Babe. Thank you for your exuberant, and caring column on the food that is so abundant, artfully packaged, and professionally marketed to us all.Unfortunately, all is not as it seems, and many cannot take the personal time to seek out the information you now provide to us. I always leave time to food shop because it is a vital part of feeling well, and staying healthy. It’s sure not as easy as it used to be. Although I’m not an expert on everything , to be sure, helping other shoppers with perplexing moments in the market is always an enjoyable circumstance.
Keep up the good work. I love Ginger Ale, and since I don’t care to make my own, I prefer to add Pelligrino or Club Soda to a real fruit syrup. At least I know what’s in the drink, and it’s not overpriced.
))_^^((Congrats on your work. Keep em on their toes!!
I like the “Q” brand of Ginger Ale. Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Organic Agave, Ginger Extract, Extracts of Lemon Juice, Coriander, Cardamom, Cayenne, Orange Peel, and Rose Oil. Very healthy alternative. They also make a “kola” alternative that is FANTASTIC and has unbelievably awesome ingredients. The nutrition factions for the ginger ale are listed below.
Serving size: 8 fl. oz (237 ml)
Amount per serving %DV*
Calories 65
Total Fat 0
Sodium 0
Total Carb. 15g 5%
Sugar 15g 5%
Protein 0g
*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Actually, that sounds pretty good, EXCEPT for the agave nectar. That stuff is poison, same as HFCS. Stay away from agave nectar!!
Jeff said the Agave Nectar is Organic that can’t be poison?
It’s organic Agave, not nectar. There is a difference. Just like the coconut it isn’t highly/overly processed.
It is organic agave not agave nectar. It’s pretty much on par with coconut nectar in so much that it isn’t highly/overly processed. Very simple wholesome, organic, and non GMO ingredients.
Yes, it’s hard to know when to say something and when to not – it’s something I struggle with all the time. The recipe looks great – but I am wondering about sweetening with (pure) Maple Syrup. I understand that some have have concerns about the processing of it – high temperatures resulting in caramelization and we know that food that is cooked excessively may not be the best food to ingest. As a result, I have opted not to use Maple Syrup, but do at times use Raw Honey or Stevia. What are your thoughts, Food Babe?
Thanks so much for this recipe. I am looking forward to trying it out. I am new to your blog and really enjoying it. I have been an avid food label reader since college and a year ago, while I was going through a rough time with morning sickness, my dr recommended ginger ale. I was so surprised when I started reading the labels that none of them actually had ginger listed as an ingredient (like the phantom blueberries in blueberry muffin mix.) I went with ginger chews and juice with fresh ginger instead. Never thought of making my own. Sounds delish.
Anyone interested in health and the food(?) they eat might find the five videos by Dr. Veith enightening and worth their time.
http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/7/Life%20at%20its%20Best%20-%20English/
Here is a lnk to 81 people who have improved their health by changing their lifestyles.
http://hpjmh.com/2012/10/16/arthritis-ms-lupus-more-a-total-of-81-success-stories/
Reed’s is the best you can get without making your own. Reed’s is the real deal and no, I don’t work for them!
Ever tried Fever Tree? You can see and taste the ginger bits in the beer or ale. They make both. Great stuff.
If all mothers were like you we would put the pill pushers, cancer wards, etc., etc. out of business. THERE IS NO PROFIT IN A CURE. Organ sales total over a BILLION $ a yr.
FoodBabe: I just recently signed up for your emails and I think you are REALLY INSPIRING! I am a Mercola follower and thought your interview with him was sensational. I applaud everything you’re doing ~ keep up the great work.
hey babe, thanks for the recipe. I was wondering what your take is on Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein? I just bought a bag of Bob’s TVP. I haven’t opened it yet, but I thought it would be good for some of my recipes. Please let me know or anyone on this forum. Thank you!
I think you missed commenting on the potassium sorbate, another nastie. Commonly used as bread preservative, because it inhibits mould growth, there have been studies in Australia linking it with behaviour problems in children (for references see Sue Dengate’s book Fed Up with food intolerances) – it’s a good one to drop out of your family’s diet if you want your children to be show fewer symptoms of ADHD/ASD and more NT.
Vani,
I drank organic dandelion tea for a while but was concerned about the country of origin, I contacted the manufacturer which is Traditional medicinals about my concern that the source country Poland had soil contamination from the Chernobyl fallout. I asked if organic foods are tested for radiation but did not get any reassuring information from them. Could you investigate this issue?
What can you tell us about Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale? It is made in Birmingham Al and is a dark color. It is entirely different from the ginger ale found in most stores.
Look at their ingredients and let us know what you think….
Hi Babe,
Just sign up last week for your email info love it.
In reference to you article about ginger ale I have been drinking this one
http://qdrinks.com/products.html check it out.
Also your homemade ginger ale is great to. Thanks for doing the right thing.
Thanks for the good work, Food Babe! I love what you’re doing!! I’ve been fully organic for years, and at 55, I feel great. Better than I did when I was a child by far. No child should be as sick as I was! It was 100% food-related – migraines, insomnia, achy joints and fatigue . . . Oh yeah, and a learning disability to boot. I get pretty upset when I see these little ones drinking chemical sludge purchased by an unsuspecting parent. Thank you!!!!!
Great read, thank you! Reminds me of that new Trop 50 orange juice! They used the same marketing ploy…less sugar and better for you. Except they used Stevia. I told my mother that my kids weren’t allowed to drink it! I told her to read the labels and be more careful next time!
Please share your thoughts on Blue Sky sodas. I don’t buy them often, but if we have soda this is the brand. ???
My Mom gave me Seagram’s ginger ale every time I came down with a stomach bug as a child. Makes me sad. I wonder if this was ever made with quality ingredients or if it was always just sugar water with added chemicals.
Awesome , thank you so very much! I did not totally realize of this with ginger ale. I really deeply appreciate your helpful input. And thankful for the ingredients you given of the homemade ale. Can not thank you enough. I am able to prepare healthy real good foods for others. I have a question for you/ appreciate your time to answer when able. What is the difference between a vegan diet and a vegetarian diet? And is vegan better than vegetarian? or? Thank you for your time and all you do that truly gives help to our mental/physical being. ty <3 Osita 🙂
Forgive me if I changed the subject of the ale recipe to asking of questions different of what was written on post.’. Is there another area to write you FB of these questions I asked of you. Forgive me thank you lots. 🙂 osita
No problem. You can send general questions to [email protected].
Vegetarians don’t eat meat. Vegans eat no animal products at all – no dairy, no eggs, etc. One is not better than another – it all depends on the person. Different ways of eating work differently for different people. You have to find what works best for you.
Hi, I thank you for taking time to answer my question. Appreciate much. 🙂 Osita
I was literally at the store just a few days ago and saw Seagram’s Ginger Ales with the “real ginger” and had the same reaction! I got super excited, checked the ingredients, aaand…no ginger! I thought I was maybe missing something, like I didn’t read it right. It makes me angry that they are CLEARLY AND OBVIOUSLY lying! Right to our faces!
Thank you so much for posting this Food Babe, I am not crazy after all. And I will be using this recipe this summer, every day 🙂
Hi Jessica – we encourage you to contact the company and tell them how you feel about it!
You are awesome food babe love all your recipes and tips to eat healthy, this world is so saturated we cant trust any of these big food companies that are feeding most of the population, they’re all greedy and just care about money they don’t care about the health of people that buy their food. This world is just corrupt and so are the governments that run it and no matter how hard anyone tries this world doesn’t change.
Another nice ginger ale is made by GUS, although I prefer their Dry Valencia Orange flavor. GUS soda is not organic. It uses real sugar, but only about half of the traditional soda recipe, so both the calories and the carbs are half as well. For those who don’t freak out about a little sugar now and then, and want a carbonated beverage that’s *not* in an aluminum cab, I thinks it’s a great alternative.
http://www.drinkgus.com/index.html
Thanks for all your great research Vani. I appreciate the links to the studies you cite. I often find those harder to come by from other people that write about health and I want to be able to back up my education of others on these topics with the evidence. Keep up the great work!
I made this ginger ale last night and it is so good and refreshing! My boys loved it too!
Reed’s Premium is sweetened with honey and pear juice. No sugar.
Perfect timing! My son came home from camp yesterday with a terrible stomach ache and nausea. I saw this recipe on your blog yesterday afternoon and promptly ran out for the ingredients. After a few sips, my poor sick kiddo gave me a thumbs up and a smile. It definitely helped settle his tummy a little. Thank you for the recipe!
Great to hear it!
Have you ever done a post on the benefits of lacto fermented products. It takes more time, but is so much better for your health and the environment! I have been using Sally Fallon’s recipe for Ginger Ale and haven’t had less than a rave review on it yet. You do have to plan WAY ahead and keep a batch in the making, just like with homemade kombucha, yogurt, kefir,sourdough, etc., but that is part of a whole foods lifestyle we are all used too. I would love to hear about your thoughts on LF foods and drinks.
Just made this and forgot that ginger is spicy–so less is definitely more in this case!