Blueberry Smoothie - © shewearsmanyhats.com

Still confused about ‘healthy’ smoothies?

I just tripped across a post to a major online news service asserting, almost in a panicky tone of voice, that ‘Smoothies May Not Be Good for You!’. I thought we dealt with that one ages ago. But it seems some Smoothie lovers – and Juicers – still have not got the message about hidden sugar…

Kid making smoothie - © Popsugar.comHomemade smoothies are much healthier and more fun than chain shop or supermarket beverages. And they’re so simple, even a kid can do it! With a little supervision…

At some point in the hazy past, I used this space to warn that juices and smoothies may be doing heavy imbibers more harm than good. The main problem comes from concentrated doses of added sugar concealed in commercial beverages, even the ones made right in front of you at the smoothie bar. Commercial and chain shop smoothies and fruit beverages may contain added sugar in fairly large quantities to make the otherwise bitter and sour fruit squeezin’s more palatable. And that makes some juices and smoothies bad news for your weight and your teeth. not exactly the ‘healthy’ outcome you expected.

But there’s more bad news…

Other undesirable and unnatural ingredients in smoothies may include added protein and fibre. Why undesirable? The protein is supposed to make you feel full longer after consuming the smoothie. But it’s not digested the same way as natural animal and vegetable protein. Excess fibre can cause as much dietary upset and irregularity as an adequate intake of fibre can ward off.

Commercial smoothies and juice drinks may also contain perservatives, texturizers and other additives which the manufacturers can legally call ‘natural’, but which you really don’t need and probably don’t want.

The best alternative…

…Is to make your own juices and smoothies from pure fruits and veggies and don’t add anything you don’t want in your body. Your home-made smoothies will taste different. Perhaps you’ll like them better than the ones you’ve been used to!

~ Maggie J.