Are Fruit Smoothies Healthy?
I just love it when you think you’re doing your body good then some journalist decides to ruin it all for you. The other evening I was watching a show called The One Show which raised the question of fruit smoothies being good for you.
Acid Test
You may already know that when you drop a dirty coin into some cola that it’ll come out clean. Well, they decided to carry out the same test with cola, fruit smoothie, coffee and water. When the coins came out of the cola and smoothie they were clean however the coins that were placed in the coffee and water were still dirty.
What this proves is that cola and fruit smoothies are acidic which can, over time, cause erosion of tooth enamel. To prevent this happening you should drink through a straw so that the liquid goes straight down your throat. Alternatively you can eat cheese because when acid levels in the mouth were tested, the acidity dropped to normal.
Sugar
They said that in a glass of fruit smoothie there’s 8 teaspoons of sugar. This is what I’m not too sure about. I’ve always believed that fruit is healthy for you and that sugar from fruit is different from refined cane sugar. Even if it does have high amount of sugar you do also get fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Lazy
It seems a lot of people are drinking smoothies because they can’t be bothered to eat raw fruit and vegetables. I wouldn’t suggest people do this, if you prefer to drink your daily amount of fruit and veg instead of preparing it yourself, then you’d be better of buying vegetable juice like V8.
I drink smoothies from time to time if I fancy something sweet and filling. I will continue to do so too however to me it’s more of a treat. The key is moderation. Ultimately fruit smoothies have got to be healthier than Sunny D. Surely?
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September 20th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
I like fruit smoothies. Like you, I see them as a treat. I image they are a better treat than soda but still on the healthy to treat continuum I would guess they are closer to treat. I would be happy to be shown to be wrong - then I can start having more of them
September 21st, 2007 at 1:28 am
I stand guilty as charged. I’m one of those lazy fruit smoothie drinkers!
September 21st, 2007 at 8:34 am
I have to admit I like to take the easy option too. My excuse it that my house is a building site and debris keeps falling down into the kitchen. I can’t possible make my own smoothies in those conditions!
September 25th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I would say it depends on the type of fruits that are used. Some fruits are more acidic than others.
Simply brushing your teeth after drinking a smoothie is an effective way to remove sugars and acid from your teeth.
I drink smoothies almost every day and have for the past five years. I get regular dental appointments, and my teeth are very healthy according to my dentist.
I also eat a high amount of raw foods daily in fact, days go by without me eating cooked food. My fruit smoothies are usually combined with some type of vegetable like greens which are alkaline. Fruit smoothies or fruit puddings are usually my first meal of the day.
October 1st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I would say if you’re going to have fruit smoothies then make sure you make them yourself from fresh ingredients. The ones you buy in shops often have been processed and filtered containing a higher percentage of sugar and a lower percentage of fiber than natural fruits.
October 9th, 2007 at 3:00 am
Great item!
Be careful with the fresh produce you juice with. Make sure you wash it well! Especially if you’re not sure where and how it was growm!
Grace and Peace,
Ed
May 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I love fruit smoothies but am too lazy to make them myself. I like to see them as a treat which also isn’t that bad for me.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I started fasting and praying 4days now and I am using fruit and vegetable smoothies to replace my meals and water regularly. I am also a diabetic and I was not using straws. Thank you for your information on the mouth/teeth. I will sure brush my teeth more often now that I am educated on Fruit Smoothie. I am not going to stop making them because I get all my fibre and i have lots more energy. Before I felt tired and lazy. Now I can go a mile and more and I hungar has lessoned.
Lisa
July 14th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Most commercial smoothies are designed as much to taste good to the average buyer as to be good for you. After trying Weight Watchers Smoothies, but not liking the artificial ingredients, I started making my own. Check out my smoothie recipe at http://jiwhite.blogspot.com/2008/07/natural-diet-smoothies.html