McDonalds Smoothies Versus Homemade Smoothies Made In A Blender

McDonalds, the world’s largest fast food restaurant chain, now sells fruit smoothies. Yes, the same McDonalds that regularly receives criticism from health advocates about its hamburger and french fry laden menu, which is high in fat and sodium, is marketing and selling a product named “real fruit smoothies”. Do McDonalds’ smoothies contain real fruit? Are they healthy? How do McDonalds real fruit smoothies compare to smoothies made in a blender?

McDonalds currently makes three smoothie flavors: mango pineapple, strawberry banana and wild berry which are available in three sizes, small (12 ounces), medium (16 ounces) and large (22 ounces). On the plus side, the McDonalds smoothies are very low fat (0 to 1% fat) and provide high levels of Vitamin C (between 70% and 120% for the strawberry banana and wild berry flavors) and Vitamin A (45 to 70% for mango pineapple). On the negative side, McDonalds’ smoothies range from 210 to 350 calories and contain between 44 and 70 grams of sugar. Unfortunately, McDonalds’ smoothies contain added refined sugars. The strawberry banana smoothie lists added sugars as the 4th largest ingredient while the wild berry smoothie lists added sugars as the 3rd largest ingredient. None of the smoothies use 100% fruit but instead, all of the smoothies use various fruit juice concentrates including apple, pear, pineapple and mango and fruit purees. Purees and concentrates tend to raise overall sugar levels. The combination of McDonalds’ smoothies natural sugars and added sugars results in the overall very high sugar levels.

There is a big difference between consuming sugars that are naturally occurring and added sugars. As the name implies, naturally occurring sugars, like fructose, are found naturally in foods like fruit. Added sugars are refined white sugars and corn syrups that are put into foods during preparation or processing. Natural sugars do not raise health risks the same way added sugars do. Excess consumption of added sugars are associated with heart disease, high cholesterol and obesity. The American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 100 calories of added sugar per day (about 6 teaspoons or 30 grams) and men consume no more than 150 calories of added sugar per day (about 9 teaspoons or 45 grams). The American Heart Association does not suggest limiting the intake of naturally occurring sugars.

In contrast to McDonalds’ smoothies, homemade smoothies made in a blender contain zero added refined sugars. For example, basic blender smoothie recipes contain fruit, ice and if desired a splash of 100% fruit juice. A simple strawberry banana smoothie recipe of 2 bananas and a cup of strawberries would contain about 230 calories, 31 grams of naturally occurring sugars and zero added sugars.

Many people consume more sugar than they realize. Our bodies don’t need sugar to function properly. Added sugars contribute zero nutrients but many calories. Naturally sweet whole foods, provide a complete package of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, minerals and other nutrients. Compared to McDonalds’ smoothies, a homemade smoothie is a healthier alternative. Homemade smoothies: 100% real fruit and no added refined sugars.

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Blueberries Lower Cholesterol - Add Blueberries To Your Next Blender Made Smoothie

Making fruit or vegetable based smoothies with a blender? Try throwing a handful of blueberries into the mix. Blueberries are known to be high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and are naturally sweet. Blueberries are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are a good source of dietary fiber, and a very good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese, providing 24%, 36% and 25%, respectively, of the daily recommended amounts of these vitamins and minerals. Vitamin K is best known for its role in helping blood clot and also with bone health. Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, and also aids in blood clotting. It also is necessary for normal brain and nerve functions.

Further, a study recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated that blueberries were potentially beneficial for fat and cholesterol reduction. In the study, two groups of hamsters were fed high fat foods. In addition, one group hamsters were also fed blueberries and blueberry skins in addition to the high fat food rations. The scientists reported that the hamsters that were fed blueberry enhanced rations had 22 to 27 percent lower total cholesterol than the hamsters that were just fed high fat rations. Further, the levels of very low density lipoprotein (a form of bad cholesterol) were about 44 percent lower in the blueberry fed hamsters.

In hamsters, and in humans, the liver is responsible for making cholesterol and getting rid of excessive levels of cholesterol. The study’s results indicated that some of the blueberry’s compounds activated the hamster’s liver genes to either produce less cholesterol or use more cholesterol. The net result was lower blood cholesterol levels in the hamsters that ate blueberries. The study needs further research to see if the positive effects found in the hamsters holds true for humans. But why wait? It is known that blueberries provide many excellent vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Cholesterol fighting properties would be an added bonus.

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Use A Blender To Make Healthy Green Smoothies

Most people do not eat enough green leafy vegetables. Many adults, and in particular children, just do not like the taste of raw green vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, and all the other green vegetables that are good for your health. One solution for easily increasing vegetable consumption is to add green vegetables to a fruit smoothie using a blender. Fruit smoothies are extremely easy to make with a blender. All you need are your favorite fruits and vegetables, ice and some fruit juice. It is that simple.

A green smoothie is just a fruit smoothie with green vegetables added. The taste and color of the fruit cover up the taste of the vegetables. People who do not like the taste of vegetables will never know the difference. This is a great way to get children and adults to eat a healthier, balanced diet that has more vitamins and minerals.

Green smoothies are vitamin and mineral rich without the added calories and carbohydrates of sauces or dressings that many people use on green vegetables to make them more palatable. There is also likely less salt in a green smoothie compared to that which most people put on a salad.

The nutritional benefits of making green smoothies in a blender include less salt, lower carbohydrates, and increased minerals and vitamins. Most green vegetables contain some combination of iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, vitamin B6, Vitamin B9, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Green smoothies also provide fiber and potassium.

Vitamin A is essential for eye hearth. The B complex vitamins are essential for immune system response and maintenance. Vitamin D helps prevent cholesterol problems and is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Most people do not get the recommended daily amount of vitamin D in their diet. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that removes free radicals that are a major cause of cancer. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and clinical studies have shown it to help defend the body against colds and the flu. Vitamin B9 is particularly important to women who wish to have children. Vitamin B9 promotes and maintains healthy blood flow through the placenta to the fetus. Vitamin B6 promotes the development of red blood cells.

Using a blender to make green smoothies is easy and simple. Choose the fruit you like. Select green vegetables that contain the vitamins and nutrients your children and family may be missing out on and add them to the fruit. Mix it all up in a blender with ice and fruit juice. Voila! You get a fruity tasting smoothie packed with all the nutritional value in green vegetables. Note, you may have to experiment with the amount of green vegetables to add to the fruit in order to achieve the perfect taste and find a smoothie color that is appealing.

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March 26 Is Spinach Day - Make Green Smoothies With A Blender

Celebrate Spinach Day on March 26 by whipping up some green smoothies with a blender.

A green smoothie is a fruit based smoothie that has various green vegetables like kale, spinach, collards, celery or cucumbers blended in. The basic idea and health benefit behind a green smoothie is the all in one combination of great tasting, sweet fruit with nutrient rich, leafy green vegetables.

Try one of these green smoothie recipes:

Spinach Plus Three
- 1 compact handful of baby spinach
- 1 peeled orange
- A handful of fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup pure apple juice
- 5 to 6 ice cubes

Simply place the ingredients in the blender and blend away.

Green Banana

- 1 Banana
- 1 cup of strawberries
- 4 ounces of spinach
- 4 ounces of broccoli
- 1/2 cup of apple juice
- 5 to 6 ice cubes

Simply place the ingredients in the blender and blend away.

March Is National Nutrition Month - Make Smoothies With A Blender

Everyone knows that, collectively, Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. It is really not enough to warn and tell people what they should do - i.e. eat more fruits and vegetables, but instead the act itself must be made easier. The easiest way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption is to drink them, via blended smoothies. Smoothies are simple to make with a good blender. The easiest smoothie recipe consists of ice, your favorite fruits and or vegetables and some fruit juice. Simply put all of the ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. Easy and delicious!

Increase Fruit and Vegetable Consumption With Smoothies

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a new survey and study that found, during 2009, about 33% of U.S. adults had two or more servings of fruit or fruit juice a day. The 33% number was slightly down from the 34% that consumed the two fruit servings in 2000. The percentage of adults that ate three or more servings of vegetables per day was 26% which was the same rate achieved in 2000.

There was not any state in the U.S. that met the Center for Disease Control’s goal of 75% of Americans eating enough fruit, and 50% eating enough vegetables. The Center’s goals are two to three servings each of fruit and vegetables per day.

It should be well known by now that consuming more fruit and vegetables will help reduce weight and obesity problems and reduce diabetes, heart disease and other maladies linked to diets high in salty, fatty and sugary foods. The message seems consistent and heard by Americans, but why is it not followed? How can the Center’s goals be achieved?

Fruit and vegetable juice and smoothies should absolutely be part of the answer. Most people do not have the time or inclination to eat two to three apples, oranges, bananas or carrots, leafy greens or other vegetables per day. Have you tried to eat three carrots? Instead, blending fruits and vegetables in a blender makes fruit and vegetable consumption easy. Blend fruits together, like bananas, pineapple and peaches, along with ice and make fruit smoothies. Better yet, add some leafy greens to the fruit smoothie and make a green smoothie. A six ounce glass of fruit juice or smoothie counts as a fruit or vegetable serving. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake by making and drinking delicious and easy to make smoothies.

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2010's Dirtiest Fruits and Vegetables

The Environmental Work Group (EWG), a nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C. has published its 2010 list of the dirtiest fruits and vegetables. EWG tested and analyzed different foods for their levels of chemical and pesticide contamination.

Below is EWG's list of 2010’s top 12 dirtiest fruits and vegetables:

#1 Celery
#2 Peaches
#3 Strawberries
#4 Apples
#5 Blueberries
#6 Nectarines
#7 Bell Peppers
#8 Spinach
#9 Kale
#10 Cherries
#11 Potatoes
#12 Grapes

Are you making smoothies or homemade juice in a blender? If so, consider using organic fruits and vegetables which are grown without the use of pesticides.