5 Smoothies Worse for You Than a Big Mac

This article blows the lid off the myth that all smoothies are good for you. (Photo by Getty Images)

By David Zinczenko

“Nothing to eat for me,” my friend Elise said last week. “I’m on a cleanse. I’ll just get a smoothie.” We were driving to a meeting and the closest quick bite was at Mickey D’s. She ordered the healthy-sounding Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie—the large. I ordered the Big Mac, a guilty pleasure.

“I haven’t had much success with my cleanse,” Elise continued. “I’m not losing weight and am exhausted. I guess I’m just not getting enough calories.”

“You’re getting plenty,” I said. “Problem is, you’re not getting the right kind!” Then I offered her a bite of my burger. (If only she’d enjoyed one of the 6 Best Slimming Smoothies on Eat This, Not That!.)

When it comes to weight loss, calories aren’t everything. A balanced diet means a solid mix of protein, fats and carbohydrates—and a Big Mac is relatively balanced: 24 grams of protein, 27 grams of fat, and 9 grams of sugar for 530 calories. But look at the “healthy” smoothie she ordered: At 340 calories, it had 70 grams of sugar—the equivalent of more than 17 sugar packets—and very little fat or protein.

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Many of the most readily available smoothies in America also contain the most calories. 

Even the healthiest smoothies at major chains contain a worrisome amount of sugar. Starbucks, for example, offers one of the healthiest options, but their offerings contain 41 grams of sugar. Most of that sugar comes from real fruit, but be aware: The American Heart Association recommends that men eat no more than 38 grams of added sugars a day, and women no more than 25 grams.

Keep an eye out for the smooth criminals below. And for more simple, no-diet weight loss solutions, click here for our free Eat This, Not That! newsletter.

SMOOTHIE SHOCKER #5
Cold Stone Strawberry Mango, Love It, 20 oz
520 calories, 117 g carbs, 85 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein
Sugar equivalent: 21.25 packets of sugar in one serving

Made with strawberries, mango juice and their “Lifestyle smoothie mix,” which sounds suspiciously like sugar syrup, this is not the kind of lifestyle we’re aspiring to. With 85 grams of sugar, you’d be drinking the liquid equivalent of four Kit Kat bars. Instead order the Strawberry Raspberry flavor—or lose more weight with one of these 6 Best Fruits for Fat Loss—click here.

Drink This Instead:
Strawberry Raspberry, Love It, 20 oz
390 calories, 85 g carbs, 54 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein

SMOOTHIE SHOCKER #4 
Jamba Juice Orange Dream Machine, 28 oz
590 calories, 128g carbs, 120g sugar, 1g fiber, 12g protein
Sugar equivalent: 30 packets of sugar in one serving

Perhaps the “dream” in the name is induced by the sugar crash you have shortly after riding this Machine. Built on a base of orange juice, orange sherbet, and nonfat frozen yogurt, this smoothie is a calamitous collision of sugars. The somewhat similar, but very different, Orange Carrot Karma cuts the calories and sugars significantly, and adds 4 grams of fiber, by swapping carrots into the mix. Speaking of veggies, throw some greens into your smoothie, using one from our new Eat This, Not That! special report: 10 Delicious Greens Healthier Than Kale.

Drink This Instead:
Jamba Juice Orange Carrot Karma Smoothie, 28 oz
310 calories, 76 g carbs, 66 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 5 g protein

SMOOTHIE SHOCKER #3
Red Mango Honey Badger Fat Burner, 24 oz
590 calories, 125 g carbs, 102 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 17 g protein
Sugar equivalent: 25.5 packets of sugar in one serving

“Fat burner”? We’re assuming the task of fat-burning will be left up to you after you down the sugar equivalent of 14 Fudgsicles. While Red Mango has some of the most drinkable smoothies in the restaurant world, this catastrophe falls, oddly, on their “Body Balance” menu. Whose body are they trying to balance against, Andre the Giant’s?

Drink This Instead:
The Strawberry Sonata, 24 oz
230 calories, 56 g carbs, 28 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein

SMOOTHIE SHOCKER #2 
Planet Smoothie PBJ, 22 oz
710 calories, 102 g carbs, 64 g sugar, 15 g fiber, 18 g protein
Sugar equivalent: 16 packets of sugar in one serving

The list of ingredients in this smoothie starts out well (peanut butter—we can get behind that for the protein) and turns sinister (frozen yogurt—what is this, a dessert?). The result is a caloric punch that’s nearly 200 calories more than a Big Mac—and nearly as much sugar as you’d find in two dozen Ginger Snap cookies. Ditch the froyo and go with the Planet Pro Banana & Cocoa. It might sound counterintuitive, but you’ll enjoy dessert flavors at a fraction of the calories and sugar if you choose this protein-packed smoothie instead. And if you love chocolate and the idea of losing weight while still enjoying it, consider trying this super-effective Chocolate Milk Diet.

Drink This Instead:
Planet Smoothie Planet Pro® Cocoa & Banana, 22 oz
350 calories, 52 g carbs, 27 g sugar, 8 g fiber, 30 g protein

SMOOTHIE SHOCKER #1
Smoothie King The Hulk Chocolate, 20 oz
801 calories, 108 g carbs, 90 g sugar, 6 g fiber, 24 g protein
Sugar equivalent: 22.5 packets of sugar in one serving

This shocking smoothie is from the Smoothie King’s “Fitness Blend” menu, which promises you’ll “get toned” and “put on quality weight.” But based on its butter pecan ice cream base, you’ll likely be choosing quantity over quality in the weight-gain arena. Even the “Make It Skinny” option, in the smallest size, gives you 169 more calories than a Big Mac. This Hulk is not-so-incredible. If you’re truly serious about getting toned and don’t want to ever go hungry—or get fat—indulge guilt-free in the 50 Best Snacks in America.

Drink This Instead:
Smoothie King Vegan Dark Chocolate Banana, 20 oz
320 calories, 70 g carbs, 35 g sugar, 11 g fiber, 11 g protein

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