Numbers Game: Answer

A single-serve pouch of Capri Sun juice contains 7 teaspoons of added sugar.

It, like all other children's juice drinks, is sugar water (with vitamins thrown in as a desperate attempt to "healthify" it).

That said, the folks at the advertising department sure try their hardest to spin the lunchbox-ready drink as a wholesome beverage.

According to the company's website, "[Capri Sun] an excellent source of protective Antioxidant Vitamins C and E to help support a healthy immune system. And with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives—CAPRI SUN is better than ever."

While the presence of vitamins C and E is real, this does not mean Capri Sun should automically be considered healthy or nutritious.

These two nutrients are not naturally occurring in any of the ingredients; rather, they are synthetically added, in the same way that they can be sprinkled onto bacon or ice cream, if necessary.

It is possible to fulfill all the criteria highlighted by that press-kit-friendly ready description of CapriSun and still be empty calories in the form of sugar water.

Capri Sun also offers four flavors in its "100% juice" line. Color me confused.

The ingredients of those juices -- just like the conventional flavors -- are juice concentrates.

In other words, take fruit juice and boil it down to a sweet, almost syrup-like concoction.

That means no fiber and very low remaining amounts of phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals.

The best way to get all the health benefits of a fruit is to eat a piece of an actual one or to use an expensive juicer like Vitamix, which uses every part of the fruit to make the drink.

From a nutrition standpoint, Capri Sun and the overwhelming majority of its competitors are nothing more than fruit-flavored, flat Coke.