Real Fruit Smoothies - Skip McDonalds and
Make Them Yourself

Technically McDonald's McCafe Real Fruit Smoothies do have real fruit in them however, they also contain added sugar, natural flavors (hidden MSG), and artificial flavors plus whey protein concentrate (always contains MSG). While they are probably better for you than a Big Mac, a frozen Frappe, the traditional hash brown grease sponge, or a case of Jack Daniels, they are not fresh fruit smoothies as McDonald's would probably like to make you think.

Plan Your Meals

While more and more companies try to capitalize on the need for Americans to eat healthier, most fail miserably as in the case of McD's. Unfortunately for the consumer, McDonald's needs to produce fast food because that's who they are and they need a reproducible system that can pump out a Mango Pineapple Smoothie that tastes exactly the same in West Melbourne Florida as it does in Seattle Washington. So, what you get is a smoothie that contains a mixture of different frozen fruit purees (mango puree concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate, orange juice concentrate, pineapple puree, passion fruit juice, apple juice concentrate), plus a yogurt concoction containing MSG, added sugar (what, fruit isn't sweet enough?), more MSG in the form of natural flavors and then a little artificial flavor because apparently all that fruit and sugar just doesn't taste quite good enough yet.

I wonder if the mad scientist food engineers at McDonald's even know what a real smoothie with real fresh fruit tastes like. If you've ever had the sensation of drinking something like a banana smoothie or eating banana pudding and wondering why it tastes more like a banana than a banana actually does, then you know you are drinking or eating something with MSG flavor enhancers and added sugar in it.

And of course that begs the question, why would you want to do that? I can't find out how the fruit puree is specifically prepared at McDonald's, but I'd be willing to bet it is heat pasteurized and cooked into some kid of slush that is eventually frozen and has very little to zero nutrition left in it. The whole perception here that Mickey D's is trying to promote is that you can stop by their restaurant and actually get something healthy while you are making your kids obese with french fries and secret sauce. Isn't that nice?

If you want a real fruit smoothie and want the nutritional benefits of what real fruit can do for your body, then go to the store, buy some fresh bananas, mangoes, strawberries, peaches or whatever suits your taste buds, then get out your blender, add the fruit and a little ice and maybe spinach for even more nutrition (don't worry you sissies, you won't even taste it) and a few slivers of fresh ginger and you have an awesome delicious smoothie that tastes great and is bursting with nutrition.

And seriously, don't kid yourself, stay away from McDonald's real fruit smoothies. They're just trying to get you in the store so you'll go to them for a fix when you have a Big Mac attack 3 days after drinking their smoothie sludge.

Here are some of our smoothie recipes that are almost all real fresh fruit:

Green Smoothie Recipe

Strawberry Smoothie

Vita Mix Smoothie Recipes

---

Return From Real Fruit Smoothies To Healthy Recipes

Copyright 2005-2011 ezHealthyDiet.com