Each day, it is recommended that American adults consume 4-5 cups of fruits and vegetables. Yet, while the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables are widely known, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that over 85% of American adults are not eating enough fruits and over 90% of Americans adults do not consume the daily recommended amount of vegetables. Every five years, the USDA releases the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – a report that serves as the cornerstone of Federal nutrition policy and nutrition education activities. In their latest report (2015-2020), the USDA recommended that Americans fill at least half of their plate with fruits and vegetables every day.

 

With more initiatives in place that seek to improve fruit and vegetable consumption, restaurant, coffee shop, café and juice bar owners have made an effort to add healthier options to their menus. However, finding a healthy fruit smoothie juice for restaurants can be a challenge. Added sugars jeopardize the overall health benefits of many smoothies and fruit juices, rendering them no more healthy than a soft drink in terms of their sugar content. 

 

A healthy diet is centered on eating fruits and vegetables. Nutrient-dense and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, consuming a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and even prevent some types of cancer. Eating fruits and vegetables can also help lower a person’s risk for many chronic illnesses, eye problems, and digestive ailments. Smoothies are a convenient way for restaurant owners to serve a food and beverage option that caters to health conscious consumers. Smoothies can be served for breakfast, as a meal on-the-go, or a light snack, making them a versatile menu option.

 

While it is best to eat whole fruits and vegetables, smoothies are a convenient and great tasting way for consumers to add servings of fruits and vegetables to their diet. While there is growing research against added sugars, the scientific community is not ready to rule out smoothies as a healthy snacking option for Americans. David Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Yale University, is one of the many researchers who believe that downing a smoothie is a far better snack or meal on-the-go than other foods that prevail in our diet. He believes that when made without added sugars and other additives, smoothies have the potential to be part of a healthy diet, especially if one is not consuming any fruits and vegetables at all. 

 

Finding a healthy fruit smoothie juice for restaurants starts with choosing a smoothie mix supplier that offers a product that contains no added sugars or artificial additives. Added sugars have been linked to a number of chronic illnesses, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The growing research against added sugars suggests that consumers will steer clear of these types of products in the future, as government initiatives have already made an emphasis to recommend that Americans consume less added sugars in their daily diet. Serving a healthy smoothie starts with healthy ingredients. Choosing a fruit smoothie juice for restaurants without added sugars, GMOs, artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners can go a long way to ensuring that your customers are getting what they ask for when they order a delicious smoothie.