Is There Anything Sugar Free at Smoothie King? Your Guide to Low-Sugar Options

Smoothie King publicly committed to removing added sugar from many of its blends by Fall 2019, making it easier for customers to find healthier options. This is good news for anyone asking, "Is there anything sugar free at Smoothie King?" The answer is yes, with numerous purposefully blended options that contain no added sugar.

Quick Summary

Smoothie King offers multiple options with 0 grams of added sugar in its 'Get Fit,' 'Manage Weight,' and 'Be Well' categories. Customers can find healthier choices and customize any smoothie by avoiding sugary additions like turbinado.

Key Points

• Look for "0g Added Sugar": Smoothie King explicitly labels many of its health-focused blends as containing 0 grams of added sugar.

• Choose the Right Category: The 'Get Fit', 'Manage Weight', and 'Be Well' menus are the best places to find pre-made, low-sugar options.

• Gladiator® is Your Go-To: The Gladiator® smoothie line, available in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, is a reliable zero-added-sugar choice.

• Customize Your Order: Ask to remove sugary ingredients like turbinado and fruit juice blends to reduce sugar content.

• Opt for Stevia: Use stevia as a plant-based sweetener for your customized smoothies for a sweet flavor without the added sugar.

• Beware of Natural Fruit Sugars: Even with no added sugar, smoothies still contain natural sugars from fruits, which can impact blood sugar.

Understanding Smoothie King's "0g Added Sugar" Initiative

For health-conscious consumers, the sugar content of smoothies is a major concern. Thankfully, Smoothie King has addressed this with its "Clean Blends" commitment, which includes purposefully removing added sugar from many of its core blends. While natural sugars from fruits and other ingredients are still present, this commitment means a significant reduction in overall sugar load for select menu items. The company has made it a priority to blend the cleanest, most nutritious smoothies possible, offering transparency for those monitoring their intake. This shift has made it much easier for patrons to find and order genuinely healthier, low-sugar drinks without needing extensive modifications.

Menu Categories with Zero Added Sugar Options

Smoothie King categorizes its menu to help customers align their orders with their health goals. Several categories contain specific blends that boast 0 grams of added sugar, providing excellent starting points for a healthier choice.

Get Fit Blends with No Added Sugar

This category is designed for those looking to build muscle or fuel their workouts, and it includes some of the most reliable no-added-sugar options. These blends primarily use a protein base and natural ingredients to deliver nutrients without the sugary fillers.

• Gladiator® (Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry): This is one of the most reliable low-carb, no-sugar-added options on the menu. It is made with Gladiator® Protein and two fruit, veggie, or coffee choices.
• The Activator® Recovery Blends: Various Activator blends, including the Strawberry Banana and Pineapple Spinach, are listed with 0 grams of added sugar and are great for post-workout recovery.
• Original High Protein Banana: This blend features whey protein, almonds, and bananas with no added sugar.

Manage Weight Blends with No Added Sugar

If your goal is calorie and sugar reduction for weight management, this section is a top resource. The Keto Champ™ series is particularly popular for its low-sugar content.

• Keto Champ™ (Berry, Chocolate, or Espresso): These keto-friendly blends are sweetened with stevia and combine almond butter, almond milk, and protein for a filling, low-sugar option.
• Power Meal Slim™: Formulated with Power Slim Protein, these blends offer a satisfying meal replacement with 0g added sugar in their Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla GLP-1 varieties.

Be Well Blends with No Added Sugar

Focusing on overall wellness, these blends are packed with vitamins and nutrients. Many in this category are excellent sources of fiber and nutrients without added sugar.

• Gut Health Blends: The Greek Yogurt Strawberry Blueberry and Greek Yogurt Pineapple Mango options are listed with no added sugar.
• Power Meal™ Blends: Smoothies like the Power Meal Spinach Pineapple and Cinnamon Banana are sweetened with natural fruit and contain 0g added sugar.
• Daily Warrior®: This blend includes bananas, wild blueberries, peanut butter, dates, organic spinach, and almonds with stevia as the sweetener.

Customizing Your Smoothie for a Sugar-Free Drink

Even if a standard menu item has added sugar, you can often modify it to fit your dietary needs. The most important step is to be direct and clear when ordering. Here are key customization tips:

1. Skip the Turbinado: This is a sugar cane syrup often used as a sweetener. Asking to omit it can significantly reduce the sugar content of many 'Enjoy a Treat' blends. For example, ordering an Angel Food Slim instead of the Angel Food blend saves you from 50g of added sugar.
2. Request Almond Milk or Coconut Water: For some fruit-based smoothies, replacing the apple or pear juice blends with a lower-sugar liquid base like unsweetened almond milk or coconut water can be effective. For example, replacing the juice blend in the Vegan Pineapple Spinach significantly reduces the overall sugar content.
3. Use Stevia as a Sweetener: For those who still want a hint of sweetness, request a plant-based sweetener like stevia. Smoothie King includes this in some blends and often has it available.
4. Add a Zero-Sugar Protein: Boost your protein intake with a zero-added-sugar enhancer like Gladiator® Protein, which comes in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors.

A Quick Comparison: Sugar-Free vs. High-Sugar Smoothies

To highlight the difference, consider a comparison between a few popular options and their zero-added-sugar counterparts. Nutrition information is for a standard 20-ounce serving.

Smoothie	Calories	Added Sugar	Key Sweeteners/Ingredients
Gladiator® Vanilla	220	0g	Gladiator® Protein, Fruit/Veggies
Keto Champ™ Chocolate	450	0g	Keto Protein Blend, Almond Butter, Stevia
Slim-N-Trim™ Vanilla	250	0g	Slim-N-Trim™ Blend, Bananas
Angel Food™	350	50g	Strawberries*, Bananas, Turbinado, Nonfat Milk
Berry Interesting™ (Kids)	200	26g	Strawberries*, Raspberries, Apple Blueberry Juice Blend, Kids Multivitamin
Coco Pitaya-Yah Bowl™	680	71g	Pitaya Base, Granola, Chocolate Hazelnut Drizzle, Strawberries, Cocoa Nibs

*Note: The Angel Food™ and Berry Interesting™ blends are examples of high-sugar items. The Angel Food Slim™ and Apple Kiwi Bunga™ are low-added-sugar alternatives.

Conclusion

While many people mistakenly believe all smoothies are inherently healthy, the sugar content can vary dramatically. The key takeaway is that yes, there is anything sugar free at Smoothie King, specifically in the form of numerous '0g Added Sugar' options across their 'Get Fit,' 'Manage Weight,' and 'Be Well' categories. By choosing these purposefully blended options or customizing your own, you can enjoy a nutritious, great-tasting smoothie that aligns with a low-sugar diet. Remember to be specific with your order to avoid hidden sugars in ingredients like turbinado and juice blends. For those seeking control over their sugar intake, Smoothie King has made it possible to find and enjoy a healthy drink without the sugar overload.

Our Clean Blends Promise offers further insight into Smoothie King's commitment to ingredient transparency and healthier blending practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Smoothie King blends are naturally the lowest in sugar?

The lowest sugar options are typically the Gladiator® smoothies, which are made with protein and a choice of two fruits or vegetables, plus some of the keto-friendly blends like Keto Champ™, which use a stevia sweetener.

Can I request a smoothie without any added sugar?

Yes, you can and should specify that you want your smoothie made without any added sweeteners like turbinado. Many base recipes, particularly in the health-focused categories, already come without added sugar.

Are all fruit smoothies at Smoothie King high in sugar?

No, not all fruit smoothies are high in added sugar, though they will still contain natural fruit sugars. Blends like the Slim-N-Trim™ Vanilla and certain Activator® Recovery options have 0g added sugar.

What is the difference between natural sugar and added sugar at Smoothie King?

Natural sugar comes from ingredients like fruit, while added sugar is a sweetener, such as turbinado. Smoothie King has eliminated the added sugar in many of its health-focused smoothies, but the natural fruit sugar remains.

Does Smoothie King offer alternative sweeteners?

Yes, Smoothie King uses plant-based sweeteners like stevia in some of its low-sugar and keto blends, and it can often be requested as a substitute for added sugar.

Are the Kids Blends sugar free at Smoothie King?

Most Kids Blends contain high amounts of added sugar, but the Apple Kiwi Bunga™ is one exception that contains 0 grams of added sugar. Always check the nutritional information to be sure.

Can I use almond milk instead of fruit juice to lower the sugar?

Yes, substituting a juice blend with unsweetened almond milk is an excellent way to reduce the sugar content, especially in fruit-forward smoothies.