Back-to-School Essentials: Ocean Spray Cran-Grape Juice Boxes for Busy Families

With trying to drink more water in our water & step challenge and with summer winding down and the school year gets closer for my nieces and nephews, I’m always looking for quick and convenient items that make packing lunches and grabbing snacks on the go just a little easier. One item that caught my eye recently was the Ocean Spray Cran-Grape 10-ounce bottles.

I found these at Dollar Tree, thinking I was getting a bargain. After checking prices, I realized they really weren’t any cheaper than buying them at Walmart. That’s a good reminder to always compare unit prices instead of assuming every Dollar Tree purchase is automatically the best deal.

I like how there are 6 10 fl. oz individual bottles which are a nice size for lunch boxes, after-school activities, road trips, sports practice, or even keeping a few in the refrigerator when you want something besides plain water. One thing I appreciated is that each bottle provides 100% of our daily Vitamin C, which is a nice bonus during back-to-school season when everyone seems to be sharing germs. More times than we can count.

Nutritionally, each 10-ounce bottle contains:

130 calories
0 grams of fat
65 mg sodium
35 grams of carbohydrates
32 grams of total sugar
27 grams of added sugar
100% Daily Value of Vitamin C

The sugar content is definitely something to be aware of. Since I’m trying to make healthier choices, this isn’t something I’d drink every day. Instead, I’d consider it an occasional treat when I want something fruity and refreshing and water and Sweet Tea isn’t doing the trick.

The Cran-Grape flavor has a nice balance of sweet grape and tart cranberry. It’s refreshing when served ice cold and makes a nice alternative to soda for special occasions or packed lunches. Here is a tip I would like to share with you when I want something different I like to mix Cran Grape with Apple Juice for a different flavor.

I thought I would let you know I would purchase again but with a with a little moderation if I’m looking for a convenient drink to include in lunch boxes or for busy days on the go, these bottles are a handy option. Just be mindful of the sugar content and enjoy them as an occasional treat rather than an everyday beverage.

Have you found any surprising deals—or not-so-great deals—at Dollar Tree lately? I’d love to hear what products you’ve discovered that were worth buying and which ones turned out to cost about the same somewhere else.

Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates