Gatorade G2 Thirst Quencher (Lower-Sugar): Labelgrade C+ (69/100)
C+ 69 / 100 — Very low saturated fat, notable sugar load, and very low sodium.
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Gatorade G2 Thirst Quencher delivers 0g of protein and 48 calories per 1.25 PT (USDA FDC 2088133). Per 100mL that’s 0g of protein; per fl oz, 0g. The Labelgrade is C+ (69 / 100): Very low saturated fat, notable sugar load, and very low sodium.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | D | 50 / 100 | 0g per 100mL — below the high-protein bar; not the right product for protein hunting |
| Ingredient quality | C+ | 67 / 100 | 10 ingredients; flagged artificial colors + artificial sweeteners |
| Saturated fat load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0g saturated fat — perfect |
| Sodium load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 270mg per serving (13mg per fl oz) — low |
| Sugar load | D | 52 / 100 | 12g sugar; USDA omits the added-sugar line, but the ingredients list a sweetener — scored as added, not naturally-occurring |
| Fiber | F | 30 / 100 | 0g fiber, expected for beverages |
| Overall | C+ | 69 / 100 | Weighted blend: protein 23% · ingredients 21% · saturated fat 18% · sodium 15% · sugar 15% · fiber 8% |
How it compares
We’re still building out this category. As a benchmark, plain cooked chicken breast contains 31g of protein per 100g (8.8g per oz). Gatorade G2 Thirst Quencher delivers 0g of protein per 100mL (0g per fl oz).
First, the thing the label hides: this is G2, not regular Gatorade
If you came here for “Gatorade,” read this line carefully: this page is the G2 — the lower-sugar version — not the original Gatorade Thirst Quencher. They sit next to each other on the shelf in nearly identical bottles, and the difference matters.
G2 carries about 12g of sugar and 48 calories per serving. Regular Gatorade Thirst Quencher carries roughly double that. Gatorade builds G2 by cutting the sugar and topping up the sweetness with sucralose and acesulfame potassium (two no-calorie sweeteners), so you get a similar taste at half the sugar. That cut is the entire reason G2 grades a C+ here: regular Gatorade, with twice the sugar, would lose more on the sugar dimension and grade lower. So if the bottle in your hand just says “Gatorade” without the G2, the numbers on this page don’t describe it — your sugar is higher.
Even on the lighter version, the sugar is added (it’s named outright in the ingredients), the sweeteners and Blue 1 color are flagged on ingredient quality, and there’s no protein or fiber. That’s why “lower-sugar” still only buys a C+, not an A.
When a sports drink actually earns its sugar
A C+ isn’t “never drink this” — it’s “use it for what it’s for.” The functional half of G2 is the electrolytes: 270mg of sodium and a little potassium per serving, the things you actually lose in sweat. During prolonged, genuinely sweaty exercise — a long run, a hot two-hour practice, an endurance event — that sodium plus a bit of fast sugar is doing a real job: replacing losses and giving working muscles quick fuel. In that context G2 is a reasonable, lighter choice than full-sugar Gatorade.
The mismatch is everyday use. Sipping G2 at a desk, in the car, or with lunch means you’re taking on added sugar and artificial sweeteners to solve a problem (electrolyte loss) you don’t have when you’re not sweating. For ordinary hydration, plain water wins outright, and it’s free. The honest read on G2: a lighter electrolyte drink that’s useful for real sweat and endurance, and unnecessary sugar-water for everything else.
Scope
This page covers Gatorade G2 Thirst Quencher, UPC 099999002393, as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 2088133. Gatorade sells multiple variants in this product line — other sizes, flavors, or fat levels may have different macros and Labelgrade scores. Manufacturers periodically reformulate; always cross-reference the actual package label, especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
WATER, SUGAR, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, BLUE 1.
Where to buy
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Labelgrade score is independent of affiliate relationships. More.
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 1.25 PT
See how this fits your day — protein calculator · macro calculator
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1.25 PT) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 48 |
| Protein | 0g |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 12g |
| Sodium | 270mg |
| Potassium | 72mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to G2 Thirst Quencher · UPC 099999002393. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains no listed animal products
contains no listed meat or fish
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
Is G2 the same as regular Gatorade?
No — and the difference is the whole point. G2 is Gatorade's lower-sugar line, with roughly half the sugar and calories of the original (about 12g sugar and ~50 calories per serving here, versus roughly double that for regular Gatorade Thirst Quencher). G2 gets there by cutting sugar and adding the sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium. If you grabbed regular Gatorade, your sugar number is meaningfully higher than what's on this page.
Does Gatorade G2 have added sugar?
Yes. The ingredient list names SUGAR (plus the no-calorie sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium), so the 12g per serving is added sugar, not intrinsic. There's no fruit here — it's a flavored, sweetened electrolyte solution. The added sugar plus the artificial sweeteners and color are what hold the grade to a C+.
Is G2 actually good for you, or is it just sugar-water?
It's lighter sugar-water with electrolytes. G2 delivers sodium (270mg) and a little potassium to replace what you lose in sweat, at half the sugar of regular Gatorade — genuinely useful during prolonged, sweaty exercise. For everyday sipping at a desk, you don't need the electrolytes and the added sugar and sweeteners aren't doing you any favors; plain water is the better default.
How much sugar and how many calories are in G2?
12g of sugar and 48 calories per serving (USDA FDC 2088133). That's about half of regular Gatorade — the reason G2 exists — but it's still added sugar, which is why the sugar dimension scores below average even on the lower-sugar version.
How much sodium per serving?
270mg per serving (about 12% of the 2,300mg daily limit). For a sports drink that's by design — the sodium is the functional part, meant to replace what you sweat out during real endurance effort.
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-06, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 2088133. We re-verify top-traffic pages monthly and update within 7 days when a manufacturer reformulates.