With franchises located from coast to coast, Smoothie King proclaims to be the "healthy alternative to unhealthy food choices." The question often arises, however, if the smoothies are a healthy meal replacement or if they are equivalent to eating a cheeseburger or a slice of pizza.
History
In the late 1960s, a man by the name of Steve Kuhnau was searching for a way to cure his low blood sugar and allergy problems. He began blending a variety of fruits, proteins and nutrients from his home kitchen, and before long, he noticed a huge difference in his health. And so the first original healthy smoothie was born. In 1973, Kuhnau opened a health food store that sold his smoothies, along with vitamins, and named it Smoothie King.
Categories
At first glance, the hundreds of choices you can make when it comes to your smoothie may seem a bit overwhelming, but Smoothie King seems to have found a way to make something for everyone. Categories range from Stay Healthy smoothies, which are fruit-based and contain pure herbal ingredients to improve your overall health, to Trim Down smoothies, which are less than 400 calories and contain supplements to aide in weight loss. For those who are looking for a tasty treat but are not worried about their weight, there is the Indulge category, which includes shakes made with real ice cream. Staying true to the mission statement, even the shakes have options that feature non-fat milk and wheat germ.
Nutritional Information
The official Smoothie King Website displays each smoothie's calorie and nutritional information. Viewers can choose the size they want -- 20 oz., 32 oz. or 40 oz. -- and can download a PDF version of the nutritional chart. To make the smoothie have even more healthy, you have the option to "make it skinny," which means that your smoothie will not be blended with turbinado and honey, which can add carbohydrates and calories.
Enhancers
To add to what the company says is already a healthy alternative to junk food, Smoothie King offers enhancers for your smoothie. Choices include antioxidants, energy, appetite control, multivitamins, muscle builder and stress relief. Smoothie King says that its enhancers have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and individuals should seek guidance from their health-care professionals before consuming a smoothie with an enhancer. Enhancers should be consumed only by people who are 18 and older.
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