Best Bet – A

Del Monte Apple Raspberry Juice (Grab-and-Go Pouch)
80 calories, 0 g fat, 0.2 g protein, 22 g carbohydrates (0 g fibre, 21 g sugar), 20 mg sodium per 200 mL pouch. $4 for 10 pouches *100% serving of vitamin C

A hit with the family, this juice gets a BIG thumbs up and “neat” praise for the packaging. It almost merits an A+, but loses marks because mom Melissa says the pouches were the “messiest juice squeezers ever.” The verdict: A winner; just serve it in a cup.

Tasty Treat – B

Tropicana Pure Premium Original No Pulp 100% Pure Florida Squeezed Orange Juice
110 calories, 0 g fat, 2 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates (0 g fibre, 22 g sugars), 0 mg sodium per 236 mL. $5 for 6 cartons *50% serving of vitamin C

Good ol’ OJ gets lip-smacking kudos for the “neat mini-cartony thing and taste.” But one carton is nearly 50 per cent over the suggested serving size and contains only half the recommended dose of vitamin C. The verdict: Kids love it so go for it occasionally.

Happy Medium – B+

Dole 100% Juice Pineapple Juice
80 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g protein, 21 g carbohydrates (0 g fibre, 19 g sugars), 10 mg sodium per 170 mL. $3.50 for 6 cans *100% serving of vitamin C

This juice is high in vitamin C and low in sugar — a good combo. It’s also the only one we tested whose serving size is within the daily recommended amount. It received praise because “it tastes like pineapples.” The verdict: Tasty, especially if you like pineapple.

Alternate Option – B

Ceres Medley of Fruits
130 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g protein, 31 g carbohydrates (2 g fibre, 29 g sugar), 10 mg sodium per 200 mL. $3 for 3 boxes *100% serving of vitamin C

This unique combo (guava, pineapple, mango, peach, papaya, and more) may meet daily recommendations for vitamin A and C, but it’s high in calories. And the flavour wasn’t a hit with one tester, who said, “some of the fruit doesn’t go well.” The verdict: High in sugar, but worth a try if you want something different.

Very Veggie – C-

V8 Original Blend
50 calories, 0 g fat, 2 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates (2 g fibre, 8 g sugars), 520 mg sodium per 250 mL. $3.50 for 3 boxes *6% serving of vitamin C

While low in calories and sugar considering the serving size, this juice delivers too much sodium and not enough vitamins. Our pickiest tester described the flavour quite poignantly (“ick”). Everyone else was delighted to discover it tasted like tomato soup. The verdict: Well liked overall — think twice about the high sodium and low vitamin C.

No juice was wasted or discarded during this assignment conducted by Toronto-based freelance writer Lesley Young (who specializes in health).