Smoothies are amazing they can be super healthy, and can substitute whole meals!
However, not all smoothies are made equal, and sometimes they are more like a dessert than a healthy meal replacement.
Most of the time it depends on two factors, where you get the smoothie, or what you put into a smoothie.
If you buy a smoothie from Mcdonalds, you won’t be aware of what they have put in it, so how can you know if it is healthy?
Well, that is why I am here. Sure, it is probably safe to assume they’re not healthy since it is Mcdonald’s. But, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and look into it together!
So… It’s time to find out whether Mcdonald’s smoothies are healthy!
Are Mcdonalds Smoothies Healthy?
No. Quite plainly, Mcdonald’s smoothies are not healthy.
Smoothies can be healthy if they are meal replacement, green, or detox smoothies. When including all essential nutrients, especially protein, and healthy fats, with not too much sugar, smoothies can be healthy.
However, Mcdonald’s fails here. All of their smoothie flavors are very similar in what their nutrient statistics are, but their Mango Pineapple smoothie tops the charts with over 50 grams of sugar in only a 16 oz cup!
Mcdonald’s themselves make the claim that all of their smoothies contain ingredients such as fruit purees, juices, and low-fat yogurt.
This may sound good at a surface level, however, do not forget that fruit juices are often high in sugar, and fruit purees often lack a lot of the nutrition as theguardian.com states.
Most namely, they tend to lack fiber, by not containing whole fruits.
Therefore, while they contain low-fat yogurt, this is not enough to make them healthy.
Are McDonald’s Fruit Smoothies Real Fruit?
Mcdonald’s fruit smoothies do not contain real fruit. These smoothies are made using a fruit base which is made from juice concentrates and fruit purees, which are not as healthy as using whole fruit as stated by northcoast.organic.
They also typically contain a lot of artificial flavors and sugar, they also tend to contain a ‘smoothie yogurt’ as Mcdonald’s calls it.
This ‘smoothie yogurt’ is made using gelatin and corn starch. This means that smoothies from Mcdonald’s may not even be vegan, even though they are ‘fruit smoothies’, and similarly, they are also not healthy.
While these smoothies may taste delicious, they are most certainly not a healthy smoothie option.
Why Do McDonald’s Smoothies Have So Much Sugar?
The juice used in Mcdonald’s smoothies is the reason behind the high sugar content in Mcdonald’s smoothies.
Juice concentrate is added to these smoothies. Juice concentrate is made by removing the water from the fruit which leaves only the flavor behind as healthline.com states.
This results in a lot of sugar being left as well.
So, the juice concentrate added to these smoothies already contributes to the high amount of sugar present in Mcdonald’s smoothies.
However, it does not end there. These smoothies also contain low-fat yogurt. This low-fat yogurt may be low in fat but is not low in sugar.
These yogurts contain 2 other sugar-based ingredients. In this, you will find fructose and sugar.
Much like everything else you can find on their menu, Mcdonald’s smoothies are high in sugar and calories, and quite unhealthy.
Their smoothies are better treated as a dessert than a snack or healthy food option.
McDonald’s Smoothie Calories
When it comes to choosing the best fast food smoothies, ideally you want to pick a healthy one.
Although Mcdonald’s smoothies are not healthy, they are a tasty treat, and much healthier than a Coca-Cola or a milkshake for example.
Mcdonald’s has several smoothies. I will talk you through their options with their calorie range and nutritional values, so you can see exactly what you are getting when you purchase a Mcdonald’s smoothie.
McDonald’s Mango & Pineapple Smoothie
Mcdonald’s mango and pineapple smoothie contains 200 calories in a small serving size.
In this smoothie, you will find 45 grams of carbohydrates, 42 grams of sugars, and very little fiber (3% DV). It is made with only 3 ingredients. These are the ingredients:
- Mango pineapple fruit base.
- Ice.
- Low-fat yogurt.
If you order a medium serving size you will get 250 calories. With this, you get 57 grams of carbohydrates, 52 grams of sugar, and only 4% of the DV for fiber.
A large mango & pineapple smoothie contains 340 calories. This smoothie contains 78 grams of carbohydrates, 72 grams of sugar, and only 6% of the DV for fiber.
McDonald’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie
A small serving size of the strawberry banana smoothie from Mcdonald’s will provide you with 190 calories. It has 44 grams of carbohydrates and 39 grams of sugar.
It has only 5% of the DV for protein and 8% of the DV for fiber. This smoothie is made with only 3 ingredients. These are the ingredients:
- Strawberry Banana fruit base.
- Ice.
- Low-fat yogurt.
If you purchase a medium serving size, you’ll get 240 calories as well as 55 grams of carbohydrates, and 49 grams of sugar.
Meanwhile, a large serving size provides 330 calories, 76 grams of carbohydrates, and 68 grams of sugar. However, none of these sizes contain much fiber or protein. The large one only provides 8% of your DV for protein and 14% of your DV for fiber!
Other McDonald’s Beverages
Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry Large
- 110 calories.
- 29 grams of carbohydrates.
- 29 grams of sugar.
Frozen Coca-Cola Classic Large
- 110 calories.
- 29 grams of carbohydrates.
- 29 grams of sugar.
Chocolate Shake Large
- 800 calories.
- 134 grams of carbohydrates.
- 86 grams of sugar.
Strawberry Shake Large
- 850 calories.
- 143 grams of carbohydrates.
- 107 grams of sugar.
Mcdonalds Beverage Prices
How much is a smoothie at McDonald’s? Well, the prices will vary, depending on the size you are buying.
Here’s the breakdown:
| Type Of Beverage: |
Small Serving: |
Medium Serving: |
Large Serving: |
| Chocolate Shake | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.89 |
| Dulce de Leche Shake | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.89 |
| Mango Pineapple Smoothie | $2.49 | $2.99 | $3.49 |
| Strawberry Banana Smoothie | $2.49 | $2.99 | $3.49 |
| Strawberry Shake | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.89 |
| Vanilla Shake | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.89 |
As a bonus, we added some extra beverages in there too!
Although the strawberry banana smoothie at Mcdonald’s and the mango pineapple smoothie are relatively cheap, it’s best to spend a little bit more, and make your own healthier smoothies at home!
FAQs
How Many Teaspoons Of Sugar Are In A McDonald's Smoothie?
There are an average of 10 teaspoons of sugar in McDonald’s smoothies. However, depending on the size it can be as high as 12.5 teaspoons per serving!
Are McDonald's Smoothies Good For Diabetics?
McDonald’s smoothies are not advisable for diabetics since they contain high amounts of sugar. While some of this sugar is fructose (natural sugar), much of it is also added. McDonald’s smoothies are not recommended for anyone with diabetes.
Does McDonald's Use Yogurt in Their Smoothies?
McDonald's do use yogurt in their smoothies. All of their smoothies contain low-fat yogurt. While it is low-fat, however, it is high in sugar. So, be aware of this as you order their smoothies.
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