Eat vs. Drink

Living in an era where speed rules, we want the fastest internet, mail delivery, news outlets and on and on, nutrition is not any different. Individuals expect immediate service to all aspects of life. (insert drum roll) Thus, the infamous rise of the “smoothie.”

If you are living in a cave and don’t know what that is, my explanation is throw as many pieces of fruits and or veggies into a blender, probably add some protein powder, some might even add honey, peanut butter, milk or even yogurt to the mix. Voila you have a meal. Hopefully, you’ve caught the hint of sarcasm here.

Working in the fitness sector I’m surrounded by people who consume massive amounts of liquid smoothie/juice concoctions. I witness many trainers promoting these drinks as either a pre or post workout solution.

Here is why I’m very much against them.

1. You would never eat that amount of fruit or vegetables in one sitting
2. The amount of sugar consumed hits extremely high levels for adults and children
3. It sets you up for the crash and burn of hunger
4. Detracts you from eating real food and real meals
5. Promotes a false illusion of health and encourages poor eating habits
6. Can be harmful, especially to diabetics and individuals seeking weight loss

How much sugar is in a Starbucks smoothie?

“As you might expect, that kind of sweetness comes with a big serving of sugar: 29 grams in a grande, to be exact. (And that’s when ordering an almond milk base. Going nonfat brings the sugar content up to 34 grams.)”  

From Molly Gallagher at Good Food

“If your smoothie contains fruit-flavored juices, frozen yogurt, sherbet, sorbet or ice cream, it can contain more than an entire day’s worth of added sugar. An average-sized rich-type smoothie, for example, can contain up to a 1/2 cup of sugar, which is equal to 24 teaspoons, according to Marlene Koch, registered dietician and author of “Eat What You Love.” 

From Sara Ipatenco at SFGate Eating Healthy

In fact, the smoothie is not far away from a 12 oz can of Coca-Cola that has 39 grams of sugar. In addition, what happens after the sugar high comes the sugar low or crash. Symptoms such as hunger, headache, irritability, trouble concentrating, and fatigue are just a few potential side effects.

Fruits and veggies are healthy so it must be OK?

See below quote from Nutrition Professor Popkin from the article, Smoothies and fruit juices are a new risk to health, US scientists warn. Side note this was already being talked about in 2013 and they’ve become even more popular (read risk) since.

“Smoothies and fruit juice are the new danger,” said Popkin, a distinguished professor at the department of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, in an interview with the Guardian.

However, Popkin says the five a day advice needs to change. Drink vegetable juice, he says, but not fruit juice. “Think of eating one orange or two and getting filled,” he said. “Now think of drinking a smoothie with six oranges and two hours later it does not affect how much you eat. The entire literature shows that we feel full from drinking beverages like smoothies but it does not affect our overall food intake, whereas eating an orange does. So pulped-up smoothies do nothing good for us but do give us the same amount of sugar as four to six oranges or a large coke. It is deceiving.”

I’m definitely with the professor on ‘5 a day’ needs to change, see post here on Beware the Slogan. But don’t agree on vegetable juice. I’m a huge fan of eat your fruits and vegetables don’t drink them.

Oh, and what about the “detox” craze?

“The whole concept of a juice diet being detoxifying is a fallacy,” says Clemens. “We consume compounds every day that may be toxic and our bodies do a wonderful job of detoxing and eliminating everything we eat.”

Roger Clemens, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Southern California.

At the end of the day we all have to find our own lifestyle journey. I just think now and then it’s good to remind ourselves of why companies what to sell you products deemed “healthy.” It is not with your health in mind but your wallet.

The global fruit and vegetable juice market is estimated to be $173 Billion by 2024, and that amount of money spent has very little to do with your personal health and wellness. It has plenty to do with the financial gain of big giant food and beverage companies.

Rather a bitter truth than a sweet lie.

~ Russian Proverb

Krisna’s book “Finding Lifestyle Sanity: A Survival Guide” is available here.