Do you love smoothies? Or maybe you don’t and would rather have a glass of fresh orange juice. Either way, smoothies are very popular these days, and they’re even being sold in the business district as “healthy food”. However, as with anything nutritious, there is some controversy. What should you ask vendors when choosing to have a smoothie?
These are just a few questions you need to be answered if you’re bound and determined to sip your way to good health.
“How often do you clean your food processor and blender?”
This is an important question because cleanliness is key when making fresh-fruit smoothies. A food processor or blender that hasn’t been properly cleaned could transfer bacteria from one batch to another, making you sick. So if the answer isn’t “every day,” get out of there!
“What type of sweetener do you use?”
While the ingredient list may be short, smoothies contain many processed ingredients and additives. Some smoothie companies use high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
Look for a brand that uses natural sweeteners like Stevia or monk fruit extract, which have fewer calories than sugar and no side effects.
“What is your first ingredient?”
The first ingredient should be fruit — and not fruit-flavored juice, which is often added to make smoothies seem more like dessert than a wholesome drink. You’ll get more nutrients and fiber by drinking whole fruit instead of juicing it. Plus, all the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals in the skin are lost when you juice something like an orange or banana.
What kind of fruit do you use? What variety?
Smoothie bars can use any kind of fruit — but if they’re using frozen fruit, it’s best to ask which variety (berries or tropical) because each has different nutritional benefits. For example, raspberries have more antioxidants than blueberries, so it’s good to use them as base fruit in a green smoothie. Mangoes and bananas also have health benefits worth knowing about before ordering!
“How many calories is this smoothie?”
If you’re trying to lose weight, then you’ll want to choose a drink that has less than 300 calories per serving. If you’re trying to gain weight or maintain your current weight, then you might be able to go up to 400 or 500 calories per serving.
“How much sugar does it have?”
You should be able to find this information on the menu board at any smoothie shop or juice bar — but if not, don’t be afraid to ask for details about how much sugar goes into each serving of every flavor offered. The recommended daily limit for added sugar is 6 teaspoons for most men and 9 teaspoons for most women. That doesn’t mean that every teaspoon of sugar will cause health problems — but excess consumption is linked with weight gain and other health issues.
“How many calories does a cup have?”
Calories are important because they tell you how much energy you get from each drink. You don’t want to be drinking something that has more than 250 calories per serving unless you plan on burning those calories off with exercise later on in the day. The good news is that most smoothies have about 100-200 calories per serving which isn’t bad for a snack or meal replacement!
“Can I drink your smoothie for breakfast or as a snack?”
Smoothies can be a meal replacement or part of your daily nutrition. If you’re looking for something to keep you full until lunch or dinner, look for options with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. If you’re trying to sneak some vitamins into your diet, look for options that include a significant amount of fiber and protein.
“Are your ingredients organic?”
A lot of smoothie companies make their products with mostly organic ingredients. But some don’t. So make sure that the company whose product you’re buying (or making) uses only certified organic fruits and vegetables in its products.
“What’s your serving size?”
The serving size is important to note because it’s easy to overdo it when it comes to smoothies. Most smoothies are packaged in small containers (about 10 ounces) and contain about 500 calories. So if you drink two servings of your favorite brand at once, you could take in 1,000 calories before lunchtime!
Takeaway
There are a lot of different factors to consider when buying ingredients for your smoothie. You have to think about taste, health, budget, and all sorts of other things as well. But when you’re buying all of those elements from one particular location, you need to get the chance to ask these questions! Given our lasting love of smoothies, we thought it would be beneficial to examine it contents and concocting procedure.
