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Is That Smoothie Healthy or a “Sugar Bomb”?

you drink apple juice, it’s much easier to consume too much. Many people would not stop at one cup of apple juice. The fiber in a whole apple helps to fill you up so that you don’t overeat. Ultimately, choosing the whole food option means getting better nutrition. The difference is even more notable if one compares eating an apple with eating apple candy, apple flavored cereal, or an apple-flavored drink. In each of these cases, not only is the level of nutrition reduced, but they may have very little or no apple in them. They also contain ingredients that are not real food but are chemicals added to enhance the flavor, color, or texture, or to increase shelf life. Smoothies seem like a convenient way to get a lot of nutrition. But what do people put in their smoothies? Those who make them at home know what is in them. However, the prepackaged healthy-sounding smoothies, green juices, and antioxidant blends found in stores or smoothie bars are usually loaded with extra sugar. They add high-sugar juices like apple, cherry, and grape, without fiber, to increase the sweetness. They may add old squishy bananas, which are high in sugar, to make them creamy. In some cases, they add agave syrup, maple syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, and table sugar. While many may sound healthy, they are just clever ways that food marketers make foods seem more nutritious than they are. At home, healthy smoothies combine whole fruits and vegetables with a healthier base like plain yogurt, unsweetened almond milk, or avocado for creaminess and added nutrition.

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Eating Whole Foods, Minimally Processed