Smoothie King is a personal favorite of mine, but I know that not every menu item is exactly healthy. While the chain definitely offers some good options, not all smoothies served are as nutritious as you would think. After scouring the Smoothie King nutritional information page, here are the four healthiest options I found for when you just need a pick-me-up.
Slim-N-Trim Strawberry
This smoothie has 150 calories for a small (20 oz) size, and only 2.5 grams of overall fat. The drink does have 12 grams of sugar, but it also has 14 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. It's a treat you can feel good about on your walk around campus.
Pure Recharge—Mango Strawberry
For a small, this flavor has 300 calories. These smoothies also have 0 grams of added sugar and 0 grams of fat and a small amount of fiber, which helps it to become one of the slightly healthier options on the menu. Additionally, Smoothie King offers a multivitamin enhancer to pair with this menu item which includes a blend of Vitamins C and E, folic acid, Selenium, Zinc, and B Vitamins. Have your smoothie and a vitamin boost in one go.
Veggie Carrot Kale Dream
While this may not sound like the most appetizing smoothie on the menu, it definitely is one of the healthiest. While it has 270 calories, it definitely packs a huge punch of nutrients to fuel your day.
This smoothie contains bananas, kale, carrots, and various juice blends. Drinking carrots may not seem totally normal, but I can personally attest to the fact that you won't taste them at all.
Carrots also contain lots of Vitamin A, which is good for eyesight, so I would definitely recommend trying this variation at least once for a fun way to get some nutrients into your diet.
Gladiator—Strawberry, Chocolate, or Vanilla
After scouring through the Smoothie King nutrition facts pages, I've come to the conclusion that the Gladiator smoothies are definitely the best option if you're looking for something low in calories and sugar.
For a 20-oz cup, all three flavors have only 220-230 calories and 1-2 grams of sugar. While all other smoothies contain juices that have added sugars, these smoothies don't, making them your healthiest option by far. Additionally, they all have a huge amount of protein (44-45 grams), which will keep you full long after drinking them.
They are made from protein powder and your choice of two fruits, so you have the opportunity to make a slightly different smoothie each time.
The Takeaway
While Smoothie King definitely isn't the healthiest place, it's great for a treat every once in a while. For the most part, the smoothies tend to have a lot of sugar, but there are definitely some lower-calorie options that will help make up for it.
My personal favorite is the Gladiator Strawberry smoothie, which I make using strawberries and bananas. Next time you're in the store, try to pick up one of these for a healthier treat that will leave you totally satisfied.