ENERGY IN SOME COMMON SOFT DRINKS (SODAS) IN TANZANIA

By Dt. Gilbert Gaston Charles



Soft drinks are highly consumed among Tanzanians with 19.4% of 15+ aged Tanzanians reported to consume soft drinks (soda) according to the existing data as per 2021. Other African countries like Uganda, Cameroon, Gabon and Ethiopia have 19.7%, 21.2%, 36.5% and 11.3% respective consumption of soft drinks among 15+ aged citizens by 2021. 
The consumption might have increased due to increase in local brands market, urbanization and increased demand of the growing population of over 63 million specifically in Tanzania.

HEALTH & NUTRITION IMPICATIONS

Soda consumption is linked to higher sugar intake, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.

With nearly 1 in 5 Tanzanians consuming soda regularly, public health campaigns often emphasize reducing sugary drink intake and promoting water or natural juices.

For nutrition professionals (like yourself), this prevalence highlights the importance of community education and policy interventions to curb excessive sugar consumption.

CALORIES IN COMMON SODAS PRESENT IN TANZANIA

Most of soft drinks do not have nutrition facts on them, this makes it difficult for most people to know the exact or estimated energy present in such drinks. Blind drinking can lead to over consumption and exceeding personal energy requirements. Also, most of health professionals are not aware of the calories present in a 355 mls bottle of soda. Some clients that Nutritionists and Dietitians meet with, are addicted to soft drink consumption and might need a holistic approach to stop drinking. This means reducing the amount of soda taken in a day until you develop a new habit of not taking soda at all. Knowing the nutritional facts in these soft drinks will guide you to allow a certain amount if it is necessary to drink the soft drink. 
We have collected information from various sources and summed it up, the following is the calories quantity in most sodas available in Tanzania.

CocaCola (350 mls) - 150 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Fanta Orange (350 mls) - 160 kcal (from carbs/sugars only)
Fanta Pineapple (350 mls) - 180 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Black berry Fanta (350 mls) - 150 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Sprite (350 mls) - 140 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Pepsi (350 mls) - 150 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Mirinda Orange (350 mls) - 150 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Mirinda Pineapple (350 mls( - 160 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Black berry Mirinda (350 mls) - 192 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)
Seven Up (350 mls)- 140 kcals (from carbs/sugars only)


Counting the calories you put in or your client puts in through these non labeled soft drinks is very important to understand the overall health impact of soft drinks.

Comment on other more soft drinks on the comment section and we will add them here for public health advocacy. Please note, different source may have slight different but similar data to this.
Location:Tanzania Tanzania
Dietitian GiGa (Dt. Gilbert Gaston Charles) is a Clinical Nutritionist and Dietitian, specializing in Sport and Exercise Nutrition and Physiology. He serves as an academician at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and is the founder of Dietech https://dietech.great-site.net/ . A committed public health advocate, he brings highly transferable expertise spanning clinical practice, fitness, and community nutrition. Through this blog, you’ll find practical, evidence-based insights and the latest knowledge in nutrition and dietetics—shared daily to support healthier living.

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