Fast Food Smoothies – Nutrition Facts

Posted by amy in News

Smoothie stores hit big a few years ago and since then everyone from Starbucks to McDonalds has decided to offer ‘real fruit smoothies’. I’ve ranted against fast food smoothies for years (see book excerpt below) so why stop now?

It’s not that I’m a smoothie hater, it’s that I think its a health food poser. “They” call it a real fruit smoothie, picture it with berries sitting by the glass and people think its a healthy option at a fast food restaurant.  Sometimes you can even look at the calories, say 210 for a small McCafe strawberry banana smoothie, and you still think it might not be a terrible idea.  The real picture is that those 210 calories are empty, sugary calories that won’t fill you up and will let your sugar crash down.  You can eat a candy bar for 220 calories and have the same effect, or even a small McDonalds french fry. You are better off with a hamburger or a small yogurt parfait.  The calories are comparable but you’ll be fuller longer. Don’t even think about adding one of these smoothies to your meal… you’ll just make me cry.

Fact: Smoothies range from 150-1500 calories.

Fact: Nearly all fast food smoothies are full of added sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other empty yummy-tasting fillers.

Fact: A smoothie doesn’t have to be a bad food, it’s just not a good fast food restaurant choice.

How to make smoothie from home… Amy Mac’s 2-Minute recipe

• 1 mushy banana
• 4 large strawberries
• Handful of frozen blueberries
• Few spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt
• Blend.

This recipe keeps me full for 2-3 hours, it has a couple servings of fruit plus the probiotics and calcium from the yogurt.  Calories are around 150.  You can be more adventurous and add oatmeal, peanut butter and protein powders but this version is so fast and easy, why mess with it?

Fitness Attack Book excerpt…#33 Smoothie Store Smackdown

Call me old fashioned, but I’m a little confused.  I’ve seen several gyms with a smoothie shop located inside! This leads people to think that smoothies are healthy and part of your workout routine. I can’t tell you how many people I see walking on the treadmill with their supersized smoothie where the water bottle should be. Take a guess how many calories are in an average flavor regular size smoothie. I’m sorry, did you say as many as a soda? You are close…..triple that number and then add sugar and carbs galore along with a couple of servings of fruit. Yes, folks, there are generally a few hundred calories in that post workout treat. So you burn 400 calories and then put them right back in before you walk out the door. Don’t fall for the temptation or the trickery. I bet they are delicious, but check out the facts first.  If you are craving a banana after your workout – eat a banana.

Fit Links:

WithAmyMac.com