Smoothie healthy? Good for you?

ElizabethSami

So i made myself one today because i thought it was a good way to add fruit serving and that i actually might be healthy. When i loged it in though iam having second thoughts....Mine included just 1/2 cup blueberry, 1 banana,2 table/s plain yogurt, and 1/4 cup of milk and did not add any sugar and it say's it has 24grams of sugar that is my daily dosage wtf. Any suggestons would be helpful.

ETA:Sugar is my No1 problem and iam trying to cut as much as possible.

ashlinmarie

Fruit is high in sugar and you will get differing opinions on this, but my general thoughts are that it isn't processed sugar and thus your body can metabolize it differently. But if you aren't discriminating, a fruit smoothie isn't the best idea (as delicious and good for you it is). In fact, it is what I had for dinner and was very satisfying.

zenchild

I don't count sugar. I'm always under carbs and always over sugar. I figure as long as I'm getting it from good sources (fruit, dairy), I'm fine. I know others will disagree, but that's just what I do. I track fiber instead.

marjoleina

I believe the sugar in fruit is not a problem, when compared to the sugar in anything processed. I have a smoothie every day for breakfast. I always start with a cup of raw chopped Kale, 1 cup water, add 1 banana, flaxseed and 1 other fruit, i.e. berries, or an orange or a grapefruit whatever I have.

dyellz

I recently switched to almond milk, less sugar, less calories...i quite like it as well. there are many different "milk" options. I as well, dont really concern myself with healthy sugars..

Mommagoose4

Sugar is not my concern either - sodium, protein, calories, carbs & fat.
I think you are adding too much fruit.

I make breakfast protein shakes every day.

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (leanfit - cost effective & tastes great bought at costco)
1/2 cup berries
1/2 cup water
1 - 35 calorie yogurt cup.

about 200 calories - 16 carbs - 2 fat - 20 protein - 196 sodium - 35 calcium.

mollysonnotice

I honestly think that natural sugar is fine for you, like in fruits. So I love smoothies. I live off of them over summer and in college. They are delicious, filling and healthy.
But if you want to keep all sugars down, I'd try to avoid them.

Up to you!

ElizabethSami

Thank you everyone that replied....i guess i shouldn't so much as worry about good sugar but focus on added sugar which i barley do anymore. Thanks again.

darlilama

If you're really watching sugar and want to know how it works in your body, go to the American Diabetes Foundation website. Tons of info there! Even diabetics can eat whole fruits due to the way the body has to digest/metabolize it. Of course, in general, too much of anything can be bad for you.

rudegyal_b

I recently switched to almond milk, less sugar, less calories

^^this. the unsweetened almond milk has zero sugar

yallcallmedeb

I would recommend that you try to cut down or eliminate added sugars. I don't worry so much over natural sugars. Fruits are good for you. Smoothies can be wonderful for you. Next time you make one, throw in a handful or a couple of handfuls of spinach. It will make your smoothie a shade of green but you don't even taste the spinach and get all of those wonderful nutrients. Even my children love smoothies with spinach and they are 6 and 8 and the 6 year old thinks that macaroni & cheese is the greatest food on earth.

Melampus

I would not be overly concerned by the sugar total.

Yes, everything else being equal between two foods except one has lots of sugar and one has more complex carbs that will digest slower and be released more gradually the one with complex carbs is the better bet.

On the other hand if you are trying to keep to a calorie allowance you want to eat things that give you other nutrients as well as calories, and fruit fits the bill as long as you are eating a sensible quantity as it contains fibre and vitamins too.

islandgirl1984

Might help if you use something other than milk. I use water in my smoothies with some spinach and it still tastes just as good. Not only will it reduce sugar but a lot of calories too!

NajahDaMuslimah

:huh: I love fruit, but not in the form of a smoothie. Can't get over the thickness...yuk!

ElizabethSami

thanks for all the info....really appreicate it. Will diff put in spinach, never thought the milk would be a problem but that might be whats contrubuting to the sugar overall, nd also the overall amount of the fruites.

Robin_Bin

The healthiness of a smoothie, like just about all prepared food, depends greatly on what you put in it.
For me, smoothies are great! Yummy, filing and healthy. I tend to go heavily on the fruit, like your blueberries and bananas. The bananas also provide thickness, so I don't usually add milk or yogurt, unless I feel that I need more dairy/protein to balance out other things on a given day. I usually use a small amount of fruit juice. When bananas are about to get too old, I cut them into bite sized bits and freeze them. Using the frozen bits or ice thickens and cools the smoothie - great for a filling summer drink.

cmriverside

I would leave the milk. Or add more yogurt, as long as it's a lowfat version.

You want to have a good mix of Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrates in your smoothie. Adding milk, yogurt, avocado, flax, or protein powder is a great idea. Fruit is okay, but don't make it the main ingredient. Balance.