Most “better” cans in a New Zealand chiller still lean on stevia, erythritol, or both. That is how a lot of low-sugar and probiotic sodas stay near-zero. It is a valid job. It is not the only job.
Sidekick is soda without stevia or erythritol: real fruit, New Zealand honey, a splash of apple cider vinegar. No cane sugar either. There is sugar in the can. Read the panel.
Why people search this
Stevia tastes bitter or metallic to a lot of drinkers — including our co-founder Fiona. Erythritol is the other common “natural” zero-cal sweetener. Together they let a can say low sugar and still taste sweet.
If those sweeteners taste fine to you, keep drinking what you like. If they do not, you need a different sweetener story. Ours is honey.
The longer compare is Honey soda vs stevia soda in NZ.
Sidekick vs the usual “healthy” can
| Typical low-sugar / probiotic soda | Sidekick | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Often stevia and/or erythritol | New Zealand honey |
| Fruit | Varies | Real fruit juice / purée |
| Sugar | Often near zero | Present — from honey and fruit |
| Extra story | Fibre, probiotics, “gut” | None. It is soda. |
| Job | Diet-leaning or functional fizz | Fruit soda you finish |
We do not compete on fibre grams or billion-count probiotics. We compete on whether you finish the can.
What you still have to accept
Honey and fruit bring sugar. Roughly 40–50 calories per 250ml can. Under 4 g sugar per 100 ml. That is not a diet can. Is honey soda healthy? is the honest version of that question.
It is not vegan. Honey is an animal product.
Shop the cans that skip both
- Mango 12-pack
- Fridge Fill — mix three boxes
- Wider fridge map: Healthy fizzy drink NZ
