Smoothies Are a Lie

Busting the "health halo" surrounding these fruity beverages.

Smoothies, in theory, are pretty brilliant. You can stuff two cups' worth of spinach in there, along with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, chia seeds, and voila, that's already half of your daily recommended dose of fruits and veggies in just one drink. Getting lots of nutrients in one easy to consume drink is great. But it doesn't necessarily mean that smoothies are healthy. .

A recent New York Times story reports that you are likely consuming more calories and sugar when drinking a smoothie than when eating whole fruits and vegetables. According to dietitian and nutritionist Sarah Krieger, people often overdo it by drinking 20- or 24-fluid-ounce smoothies–that's the size of a Venti Starbucks–especially if you're buying from a store that adds loads of sweeteners and calorie-adding nut butters.

Even if you make smoothies at home, Krieger says the way we drink smoothies in just a few minutes as opposed to taking our time eating whole fruits leads to overconsumption. She explains the fiber in whole fruit "acts as a net" to slow down the body's process in converting sugar from food into blood sugar. Smoothies don't eliminate fiber, but they are shredded to bits in the blender and, thus, less effective. "You're likely to feel hungrier again sooner after drinking the smoothie than you would have had you eaten the same fruits and vegetables whole," the report reads.

Krieger insists "there's a fine line between a smoothie and a milkshake." Bottom line: whole fruits > blended fruits. Also, if you were thinking of getting a smoothie anyway...just go all the way and treat 'yo self with a milkshake, won't you?

from:elle