Are there any fast food smoothies that people here recommend?

I had a Starbucks strawberry banana smoothie the other day.

The upside is that with 15g of protein and 7g of fiber, it's pretty filling. It's 270 calories, which seems pretty reasonable

The downside is that, by my calculations, 53% of the calories come from sugars. In light of the other factors, I guess I shouldn't really obsess about that.

I suppose the perfect "diet drink" would be a glass of water with protein powder, fiber powder, and a vitamin.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,

I'm not hugely concerned about protein, more concerned about fiber, actually. But I have felt better getting the extra zap of protein. I really do not eat a lot of protein, mostly carbs and fruit, so in my case, its a decent idea to add a little bit in....

quote:

Originally posted by Sheri in Reho:
It was not even close to as good as the ones I make at home. Didn't look up the nutritional information cuz I don't care...I won't be having any more cuz they just didn't TASTE that good to me.

I second that! In fact, I threw out most of the McDonald's smoothie- it was pretty bad.

quote:

Originally posted by Sheltieguy:
[QUOTE]I never seem to get enough protein

I've been reading a lot about protein requirements lately because of my concern around heart disease and fat intake. In short, many docs are saying that the idea that we need to eat 25% of of daily calories from protein is not necessary - nor is it healthful. Some of the sources are saying as little as 10-15% is optimal while other are saying 15-20% is better. Dean Ornish talks a lot why we don't need as much protein as we once thought... in case you want to take a look.

I am down to about 15-20% protein most days. Frankly, I feel pretty energetic and don't miss the extra protein at all.

Wonder why you are concerned with protein intake?

Unfortunately most of the foods with fiber or extra protein seem to contain gluten. Kashi is one of those....

quote:

I never seem to get enough protein

FYI, GoLean cereal (not GoLean Crunch) has 13g of protein per serving, and only 6g of sugars per serving. To me, it tastes good.

I've been doing a lot more smoothies for myself these days...not being hungry in the mornings, but needing something. I found a protein powder at Trader Joes I liked, added some fiber and protein (I never seem to get enough protein, because I'm not a big meat-eater or tofu eater)

I'll whiz fruit (either fresh or frozen or both) with a smidge of yogurt and milk in the blender, add a scoop of the protein powder, (or you can use flaxseed meal), and voila.

According to my calculations, a homemade blackberry/banana/skim milk smoothie is only 190 calories, and the raspberry version is only 170 calories. Cool.

I guess (?) I never tried smoothies before, because I associated them with yogurt. To me, plain yogurt is only good if it's paired with lots of added sugar. The above smoothies have zero added sugars.

On the way home from the beach a few weeks ago, my friend Jean wanted to stop and try the new McD's fruit smoothies, so I had the berry one. It was not even close to as good as the ones I make at home. Didn't look up the nutritional information cuz I don't care...I won't be having any more cuz they just didn't TASTE that good to me.

I used to make my own regularly when I lived in the DC area. I would make up a batch and put them in small bottles and freeze them. Then, when I was heading to the gym, I'd grab one out of the freezer and take it with me. By the time I'd finished my workout, showered and returned to the car to do errands or grocery shopping, the smoothie had defrosted to the perfect consistency and I'd have something on my stomach vs. wanting to go get breakfast somewhere because I was starving.

Mine were usually strawberries and banana with a little yogurt and a splash of either lowfat milk or OJ.

Whee, I made my first homemade smoothie today. (grin)

Of all places, the recipe that best fit my ingredient preferences was on the Benfiber web site.

http://www.benefiber.com/recip...?frostyFruitSmoothie

I used fat-free milk rather than fruit juice, and no fiber powder.

No added sugars - 100% tasty.

(I used an IQF blueberry,blackberry, raspberry mix.)

I rarely drink my calories either. I guess my way of thinking with the smoothie would be is the majority of the sugar calories from real fruit or sugar or another sweetener? I'd be more likely to drink a smoothie in place of my fruit if it was the former. If it's the later, I'd pass. I can't go between meals on drinkable calories with my schedule.

i don't usually like to drink my calories. i like to eat too much. but i have had smoothies for dinner before. i tend to make them myself unless i am in a hurry; then i will grab odwalla brand and supplement with fresh fruit.

i had a friend who was drinking smoothies as a way to lose weight. she lost 10 pounds. so years ago, i decided i would drink smoothies for all my meals on sunday. my stomach growled and growled. it was the most uncomfortbale feeling. i tried it once. it was not for me.

now, my liquid calories are usually soy milk in my morning coffee.

I've never ordered a fast food smoothie but I make a lot of smoothies at home. That Starbucks smoothie sounds good and the nutrition info doesn't look bad at all.

Jill