Although fruit smoothies consist of a mixture of fruits, smoothies are not as healthy as they appear.

Theology teacher Cristina Smith said, “As a mother, I want my children to be healthy. I encourage healthy living and I do prefer whole fruits instead of smoothies.”

When fruits are blended, there is less fiber and juice compared to whole foods, which causes blood sugar to rise quickly.

When fiber is so finely pureed, its healthful properties are destroyed. Since they are also liquids, smoothies increase the portion a person consumes.

Sophomore Stella Lee said, “I eat one orange every day and it fills me up rather than when I drink orange juice. If I do drink orange juice, I usually have to drink two cartons to feel full.”

Junior Rhys Low said, “I drink Jamba Juice all the time! Whenever I go, I always get an original Orange Dream Machine. I usually drink Jamba Juice after a meal and I have never stopped to consider the amount of additional calories I am intaking.”

Smoothies at Jamba Juice, perhaps the most frequent smoothie source, may be filled with hidden calories.

Jamba Juice’s most popular smoothies include Mango-a-go-go, Orange Dream Machine and Strawberries Wild. Many customers purchase 24-ounce drinks, but the top three smoothies are loaded with sugars and different types of unhealthy ingredients, such as sherbet, yogurt or a combination of both.

Mango-a-go-go contains 85 grams of sugar, 94 grams of total carbohydrates and 400 calories.

Orange Dream Machine contains 97 grams of sugar, 103 grams of total carbohydrates and 470 calories.

Strawberries Wild contains 77 grams of sugar, 87 grams of total carbohydrates and 370 calories.

In comparison, 20 ounces of one percent milk contains 102 calories, 26 grams of sugar and 26 grams of total carbohydrates. A 20-ounce Coca-Cola contains 322 calories, 80 grams of sugar and 80 grams of total carbohydrates. Drinking either beverage would be healthier than drinking any of the above Jamba Juice smoothies.

The normal number of calories a healthy woman should take in daily is 2,200. If she eats three meals a day, that limits each meal to about 733.

Jamba Juice smoothies are supposed to replace a meal, not serve as a drink with it. When diners drink a Jamba Juice with a meal, it does not have a healthy effect, but rather a negative one.

Junior Tiffany Atud said, “As a year-round athlete, it is important for me to be on a healthy diet at all times. My diet does not usually consist of smoothies because I consider them more as treats rather than supplements to a meal.”