The Best Healthier Soda Alternatives of 2026, According to Food Network Staffers
Skip the higher sugar content with these healthier soda alternatives our staffers are raving about.
Having a cool beverage with your meal always hits the spot, and there’s no better drink to complement your food than soda. Who doesn't love when the sparkling bubbles and sweetness of your soft drink perfectly complement the savory flavors of a salty dinner? Unfortunately, the added sugar in many sodas can quickly add up. (The daily recommended amount of added sugar is 50 grams per day. One 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains 39 grams of sugar.) Enter healthier soda alternatives — carbonated drinks made with more natural flavorings and less added sugar. We asked our staffers to tell us which ones they grab when they’re craving those delicious bubbly drinks, which you can find below.
This soda alternative doesn’t just contain only 5g of sugar, but it’s also a prebiotic soda, containing fibers from cassava root and agave insulin that boost healthy bacteria in your gut. Poppi also contains apple cider vinegar, which gives its flavor a unique edge. Our Associate Commerce Editor, Julia Morlino, is particularly drawn to the Cherry Limeade flavor. “The combo of flavors is so tasty and refreshing, and offers the perfect balance of sweet and tang that I never get tired of,” she says. “And nothing beats the crisp fizz that easily satisfies my soda craving... A win-win!”
Not to be confused with Poppi’s prebiotic soda, Culture Pop is a probiotic soda, meaning that it contains “good” bacteria that can support digestion and your immune system. With 45 calories a can, Culture Pop is non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, plant-based and kosher. “It doesn't use any artificial sweeteners, so it's a little more tangy and fruitier than some other soda brands,” says our Online Editorial Coordinator, Sabrina Choudhary. “My favorite flavors so far are Strawberry & Rhubarb, Lemon Lime and Pink Grapefruit & Ginger.”
If you’re looking for a great zero calorie drink, look no further than Zevia, a favorite of Newsletter Editor Ellie Sanders. It's naturally sweetened with stevia leaf extract instead of using sugar. “I currently have a two-cans-a-day addiction to Zevia,” Ellie says. “While I'm not going to say that the Cola flavor is an exact replacement for the ‘real thing,’ for anyone interested in reducing sugar and artificial sweeteners in their diet, it's a satisfying alternative.”
Rockaway Soda was created by the two-time beverage entrepreneur Bridget Firtle, who’s experience with the distillery business gave her the advantage of elevated and expert taste with nods to fun flavors like Watermelon Guava and Pineapple Ginger. While soda in general tends to be overwhelmingly sweet, these cans are light and refreshing. It might have to do with the fact that it’s made with real fruit juice and 7 grams of organic cane sugar, in total only 30 calories. The debut of their newest flavor, Lime Mint is Associate Commerce Editor Lauren Tom Cerone’s favorite. “I’m not the biggest soda drinker, but I have to say Rockaway is just too good not to like,” she says. “This latest flavor, is not overly sweet, but has a clean and crisp taste and a little tart that plays up well with the carbonated bubbles.”
A favorite of Food Network editor Morgan Falkner, Olipop comes in a whopping 18 flavors — all classic soda flavors, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the real thing. “The sparkling beverage is formulated with prebiotics, botanicals and plant fiber to support digestive health, and one can only has two to five grams of added sugar,” says Morgan. Olipop’s Ridge Rush flavor is reminiscent of a Mountain Dew while their Vintage Cola is definitely your traditional cola’s healthy substitute. “While on the pricier side, they’re definitely worth it if you want a little sweet treat without the guilt,” Morgan adds.
Though it's marketed as a sparkling water, Food Network editor Laura James says Recess’ Mood sparkling drinks are quite reminiscent of sodas, with her favorite flavor being the Grapefruit Tangerine one. “It’s refreshingly citrusy and flavorful but is not too sweet with just 20 calories and 3 grams of sugar per serving, which is much less than what’s in a serving of a citrus soda,” she says. “Plus, unlike many soda alternatives, it doesn’t contain stevia, a win in my book since I don’t love the taste of it. It’s also infused with magnesium and adaptogens like lemon balm and L-theanine, designed to create a calming effect.”
Bloom is known for their range of green and superfood powders, but they recently launched a prebiotic soda. Their new pop contains only three to four grams of sugar and just 20 calories per can, with five flavors ranging from classics to new ones you've never heard of. "I really love the unique flavors Bloom Pop has," says Editorial Assistant Amelia Chang. "I've never heard of a Watermelon Lime soda, but it's easily become my go-to flavor and I can't get enough of it! It's sweet with a hint of citrus tang — in my opinion, the perfect combination."
