This Is How Beloved Juice Mix Brand Tang Is Making Snacking Healthier
Snacking can quickly turn into a guilt trip because it’s often tied to our “mindless” moments: grabbing chips while scrolling intensely on social media, reaching for cookies when stress hits, or kicking back with a can of sugary beverage after a long, tiring day.
The problem is that we often tend to reach for quick and convenient snacks that are loaded with sugar, salt, or empty calories. While these snacks are delicious and comforting, they may leave anyone feeling sluggish or regretful. And before we know it, we're eating way more than planned and feeling guilty and out of control.
Thankfully, the Philippines’ beloved juice mix brand, Tang, has introduced a new product that makes snacking healthier, guilt-free, and more mindful. Enter Tang Fruit+, an orange-flavored instant drink mix that’s naturally sweetened with Stevia.
Stevia: What You Need to Know
Stevia, a plant-derived sweetener, is an all-natural alternative to table sugar. It is derived from the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, a shrub that’s native to South America, particularly in Brazil and Paraguay. It is also used in these regions to sweeten food, beverages, and medicines.
Called “Nature’s Sweetener,” stevia is as sweet as regular table sugar, yet it has zero calories or carbohydrates. It does not affect one’s sugar levels, too! To top it off, this sweetener also brings with it various health benefits, including reducing systolic blood pressure, lowering glucose levels for diabetic individuals, maintaining oral health, and helping reduce body weight.
“It is a popular, science-backed sugar alternative that can sweeten virtually all types of food and beverages. It is a great option for natural-origin sweetness,” said Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Scientist IV and Professional Regulation Commission Board Member for Nutrition and Dietetics.
A friendly reminder, though: it is not recommended to eat Stevia plant leaves raw! Its extracts, however, are considered safe to consume.
Tang Fruit+: Zero Sugar, Same Sweet Taste
If you’re wondering whether the new Tang Fruit+ drink mix fares well in terms of taste, The Beat Asia had the chance to try it for ourselves in a media roundtable event held last Sept. 12.
Our answer? There's barely any difference; still the same ol' Tang we love!
While the drink uses an alternative sweetener, the drink still has that perfect combination of sweet and tangy — staying true to the refreshing real fruit taste of Tang that Filipinos throughout generations have known, grew up with, and loved.
“Tang Fruit+ is a testament of the enduring relationship we have with our customers, providing them flavorful choices that align with their evolving lifestyle needs,” said Sam Dela Cruz, Senior Brand Manager of Tang Philippines.
She added, “With Tang Fruit+, they get to enjoy a delicious, refreshing drink that satisfies not only their taste buds, but also their preference for a sugar-free alternative since it is naturally sweetened with Stevia.”
Meanwhile, Caitlin Punzalan, Corporate & Government Affairs Lead for Mondelez Philippines, shared that the launch of Tang Fruit+ is part of the company’s “Mindful Snacking Strategy.”
“The launch of Tang Fruit+ is in line with our Mindful Snacking Strategy, which aims to provide consumers [with] not just delicious food and beverage options but also products that have less sugar, have been fortified with vitamins and minerals, and use more whole grains, among others — all while continuing to deliver delightful brand experiences,” she said.
Tang Fruit+ is now available in leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide, with a suggested retail price (SRP) of P25 per sachet. You can also buy them online via Mondelez PH’s Shopee and Lazada stores. For more information, follow Tang Philippines on Facebook.
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