Smoothies offer numerous advantages. They're highly adaptable, letting you blend a mix of your preferred ingredients to craft a personalized beverage. Many smoothies, with their fruit bases, are rich in essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They're also a convenient option for a quick meal or snack, particularly the ready-to-drink varieties available in stores. Keep reading to discover tips on selecting the best and avoiding the worst bottled smoothie brands during your next shopping trip.
Criteria for Selecting the Healthiest Smoothies:
1) Sugar Content: Many pre-made smoothies include added sugars like honey or syrups, which can significantly reduce their nutritional value, turning them into high-sugar drinks with limited health benefits. Our chosen smoothies all have less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving, and many have no added sugar at all.
2)Convenience vs. Customization: While customizing store-bought smoothies with additional ingredients can be beneficial, the appeal of a ready-to-drink smoothie that already meets our nutritional criteria is unparalleled. The smoothies we selected require little to no extra ingredients to be a balanced meal or snack.
3) Protein Content: Fruits and vegetables, common bases in many smoothies, are rich in micronutrients but low in protein. Since protein is essential for satiety and should be a part of every meal, our healthiest smoothie picks each contain at least 10 grams of protein per serving. We give special recognition to smoothies with higher protein content. For those near the 10-gram mark, we provide suggestions on how to increase the protein content to make a more complete meal.
1) Best: Two Good Smoothies – Peach
PER BOTTLE: 70 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 90 mg sodium, 5 g carbs (0 g fiber, 4 g sugar),10 g protein
Despite being the option with the fewest calories on our list of healthy smoothies, this smoothie still boasts 10 grams of protein, qualifying it as a substantial snack. To elevate this smoothie to a meal, consider pairing it with a protein-rich item. Adding a hardboiled egg and a serving of fruit alongside your smoothie will enhance both protein and fiber content, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
2) Best: Designer Wellness Protein Smoothie – Mixed Berry
PER POUCH: 120 calories, 4 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 60 mg sodium, 8 g carbs (1 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 12 g protein
These smoothie pouches are ideal for on-the-go moments, as they don't need refrigeration. Each pouch offers 12 grams of protein and is free of added sugar. A distinctive feature of this option is the inclusion of MCT oil, which adds healthy fats for increased satiety and sustained energy. You can enjoy it by itself as a snack or combine it with nuts to increase the fiber content.
3) Best: Naked Protein Smoothie – Double Berry
PER BOTTLE: 370 calories, 1.5 g fat (.5 g saturated fat), 220 mg sodium, 55 g carbs (3 g fiber, 48 g sugar), 30 g protein
This smoothie is a complete meal in itself, with 370 calories and a substantial 30 grams of protein. It has no added sugar and offers 3 grams of fiber for fullness. Prepared with a range of fruits, it also delivers over 300% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Although it's slightly low in fat, you can easily enhance its nutritional value by adding chia seeds and shaking well before consumption.
4) Best: Fuel for Fire Fruit Smoothie – Banana Cocoa
PER POUCH: 100 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 20 mg sodium, 13 g carbs (2 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 10 g protein
This non-refrigerated smoothie pouch is versatile, perfect for a quick snack or as part of a convenient meal when combined with fruit and nut butter. Made from whole fruits, these smoothies naturally provide fiber and contain no added sweeteners. While marketed as fuel for pre, during, and post-exercise, they are equally suitable for everyday snacking, irrespective of your workout schedule.
5) Best: Daily Harvest Banana + Almond
PER CUP: 450 calories, 26 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 50 mg sodium, 42 g carbs (11 g fiber, 18 g sugar), 15 g protein
For those who have a bit of time to blend a smoothie but prefer not to purchase a variety of individual ingredients, this option is ideal. These convenient cups come filled with all the necessary smoothie components; you just need to add your preferred liquid and blend. This choice stands out with a higher fat content, thanks to heart-healthy ingredients like almonds and sunflower seeds. With 11 grams of fiber, it's particularly satisfying as a meal.
6) Best: Dole Boosted Blends Protein Smoothie
PER SERVING: 160 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 25 mg sodium, 25 g carbs (4 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 10 g protein
This choice offers frozen ingredients for your smoothie, enabling effortless customization once you add them to your blender. With no added sugar, 5 grams of fiber, and 10 grams of protein, it's already a solid pick, but you can enhance its nutritional value with a few simple additions. Incorporate a handful of spinach, some avocado, and a generous spoonful of Greek yogurt to transform it into a complete meal. Alternatively, you can enjoy it as it is for a nutritious snack.
7) Best: Koia Protein – Vanilla Bean
PER BOTTLE: 190 calories, 7 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat), 240 mg sodium, 13 g carbs (7 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 18 g protein
Although this is the only selection on our healthy list that includes added sugar, its well-rounded nutritional profile earns it a spot. With 7 grams of fiber and 18 grams of protein, this smoothie is both filling and substantial. The 7 grams of fat, primarily from almonds, contribute to its heart-health benefits. The protein level is commendable, yet the calorie count is too low for it to qualify as a full meal. To round it out, consider adding a small serving of fruit or nuts to create a more complete dietary option.
1) Worst: Bolthouse Farms Strawberry Parfait Smoothie
PER BOTTLE: 370 calories, 5 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 135 mg sodium, 70 g carbs (13 g fiber, 45 g sugar), 11 g protein
This smoothie, with its high 28 grams of added sugar, falls into our "worst" category, having the highest sugar content on our list. Despite offering an impressive 13 grams of fiber — the most among all the smoothies reviewed — this benefit is overshadowed by its excessive sugar content. Sugar represents empty calories, delivering energy without any vitamins or minerals. While a small amount of added sugar daily is permissible, it's advisable to steer clear of products with concentrated sugar levels, such as this smoothie.
2) Worst: Danimals Smoothie – Raspberry
PER BOTTLE: 50 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 30 mg sodium, 11 g carbs (0 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 2 g protein
Smoothies can be a nutritious and enjoyable choice for children's meals or snacks. However, the Danimal smoothie is one you might want to skip. Despite being the lowest in calories on our list at just 50 per serving, over half of its caloric content is derived from added sugars. Lacking in healthy fats and offering a mere 2 grams of protein, this smoothie falls short in providing sufficient nutritional value and is unlikely to keep your child feeling full and satisfied.
3) Worst: Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Smoothie – Mango
PER BOTTLE: 100 calories, 2 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 45 mg sodium, 23 g carbs (2 g fiber, 18 g sugar), 1 g protein
This smoothie is free from added sugars, but it's lacking in other key nutrients. Its most notable feature is the 2 grams of fiber it offers. However, with only 1 gram of protein and 2 grams of fat, it's not particularly substantial. The inclusion of coconut contributes some fiber and MCT fats, but this alone doesn't make it a compelling choice. If you're in search of a 100-calorie snack, there are several other options on our list that offer greater nutritional value for the same calorie content.
4) Worst: Naked Boosted Smoothie Power C Machine
PER BOTTLE: 220 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 25 mg sodium, 55 g carbs (0 g fiber, 44 g sugar), 2 g protein
This smoothie is promoted for its high vitamin C content, a crucial antioxidant that fulfills many vital functions in the body. However, beyond vitamin C, this smoothie falls short in delivering a diverse range of nutrients. For instance, even though it has 55 grams of carbohydrates, all derived from fruit, it lacks any dietary fiber. Moreover, with just 2 grams of protein, this smoothie may not be very satisfying or sustaining in the long run.