How many grams of added sugar are in a large greens and ginger Jamba Juice?

December 17, 2025 •

3 min read

A large Greens 'n Ginger smoothie from Jamba Juice can contain up to 85 grams of total sugar, a surprising figure for many consumers who perceive green smoothies as universally healthy. While this includes naturally occurring sugars from fruit, a significant, but undisclosed, amount likely comes from added sweeteners.

Quick Summary

A large Greens 'n Ginger Jamba Juice contains up to 85g total sugar, a mix of natural and undisclosed added sugars from ingredients like lemonade and fruit concentrates.

Key Points

Total Sugar is High: A large Greens 'n Ginger smoothie contains up to 85 grams of total sugar.
Added Sugar is Undisclosed: Jamba's nutrition info only provides total sugar; the amount of added sugar from ingredients like lemonade is not specified.
High-Sugar Ingredients: The significant sugar load is primarily driven by lemonade and possibly fruit concentrates, not just the natural sugar in mangoes.
Healthier Alternatives Exist: Reduce sugar by requesting no lemonade, opting for a smaller size, or making a homemade version with a low-sugar liquid base.
Not a Low-Sugar Option: Despite containing greens, the high sugar content makes this particular smoothie a significant source of sugar and calories.

Total Sugar vs. Added Sugar in Jamba Juice's Greens 'n Ginger

When ordering a "healthy" green smoothie, many people don't anticipate the high sugar content that often accompanies it. The Jamba Juice Greens 'n Ginger smoothie, with its enticing mix of greens and spice, is no exception. For a large (28 fl oz) size, nutrition data shows a striking total sugar count of up to 85 grams. However, pinpointing the exact amount of added sugar is impossible with the information provided by Jamba Juice, as nutritional labels only list total sugars and do not break down the added amount.

Decoding the Greens 'n Ginger Ingredients

To understand where all this sugar comes from, we need to look at the ingredients list. Jamba's official site states the Greens 'n Ginger smoothie contains a mix of mangos, kale, lemonade, and ginger. While mangoes contribute natural fruit sugars, the major sources of added sugar are the lemonade and, according to allegations, juice concentrates. A significant portion of the total sugar is not from whole fruit but from these added sweeteners.

Lemonade: This ingredient is a primary driver of the high sugar content. Standard lemonade recipes call for a large amount of sugar, and its inclusion in the Greens 'n Ginger smoothie, as alleged in a lawsuit, contradicts the expectation of a drink dominated by greens.
Mangoes: Mangoes are naturally high in sugar. However, Jamba has been accused of using juice blends from concentrate rather than just whole fruit, which can further increase the sugar concentration.
Kale and Ginger: These ingredients add flavor and nutritional benefits but do not contain significant amounts of sugar.

Understanding the Sugar Content

For a truly nutritious smoothie, one must differentiate between sugar naturally found in fruits and added sweeteners. When a smoothie contains a large amount of sugary additives like lemonade or concentrates, the health benefits can be overshadowed by the negative effects of consuming excessive sugar. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day, and women limit their intake to 25 grams. A single large Greens 'n Ginger smoothie can contain more than twice the recommended daily limit for women, with the added sugar making up a large portion of that total.

How to Create a Healthier, Lower-Sugar Smoothie

If you love the taste of the Greens 'n Ginger smoothie but are concerned about the sugar, here are some alternatives and customizations:

DIY at Home: Make your own version using fresh or frozen mango, kale, fresh ginger, and a splash of water or unsweetened almond milk instead of lemonade.
Order Without Lemonade: Ask for your Jamba Juice smoothie to be made without lemonade. While it may alter the flavor profile, it will drastically reduce the sugar content.
Reduce Portion Size: Opt for a small (16 oz) or medium (22 oz) size instead of the large. A small Greens 'n Ginger, for example, has a lower total sugar count (230 calories) than the large size.
Add Filling Ingredients: Boost the nutritional value and slow sugar absorption by adding fiber-rich ingredients like chia seeds or a scoop of protein powder.

Greens 'n Ginger vs. Homemade Alternative


Feature	Jamba Juice Greens 'n Ginger (Large)	DIY Greens 'n Ginger (Est. per 28oz)
Total Calories	380	~250-300
Total Sugar	Up to 85g	~40-50g (from whole fruit)
Added Sugar	Undisclosed (significant)	0g
Ingredients	Mango, Kale, Lemonade, Ginger	Frozen Mango, Kale, Fresh Ginger, Water/Unsweetened Almond Milk
Fiber	7g	High (using whole fruit and fiber sources)
Control	No control over ingredients	Full control over all ingredients and sugar

Conclusion

Despite the perception of health, a large Greens 'n Ginger Jamba Juice is a high-sugar beverage, with up to 85 grams of total sugar. While the exact amount of added sugar is not disclosed, the use of lemonade and juice concentrates points to a significant quantity that can far exceed recommended daily limits. For a truly healthy green smoothie, consider a homemade alternative or ask for modifications to your Jamba order. This allows you to reap the benefits of nutrient-dense kale and ginger without the excessive, and often hidden, sugar load.

Learn more about managing sugar intake and its impact on your health by visiting reputable sources like the American Heart Association (consider searching their official website for guidelines on sugar intake).

Frequently Asked Questions

A large (28 fl oz) Greens 'n Ginger smoothie from Jamba Juice contains up to 85 grams of total sugar, according to nutritional tracking websites.

The total sugar includes a mix of natural sugars from mangoes and added sugars primarily from the lemonade. Jamba Juice does not explicitly state the amount of added sugar on its nutritional labels.

The lemonade is the primary ingredient that adds significant sugar to the smoothie. Jamba has also been alleged to use sugary juice concentrates, which would also contribute.

While it contains healthy ingredients like kale and ginger, the very high sugar content makes it a less-than-ideal choice for daily consumption. It exceeds the recommended daily sugar intake for both men and women.

You can ask for the smoothie to be made without lemonade to cut down on added sugar. Ordering a smaller size or opting for a different smoothie, like one with a plain water or unsweetened almond milk base, are also options.

A past lawsuit alleged that Jamba Juice's marketing was misleading and that some smoothies contain more juice concentrate and added sweeteners than implied.

For a lower-sugar intake, consider a custom-made smoothie with a non-juice base or one of Jamba's Freshly Squeezed Juices, which often have less sugar than the blended smoothies.

Yes, you can make a version with less sugar at home using frozen mango, kale, fresh ginger, and blending it with water or a low-sugar alternative like coconut water or unsweetened almond milk.