Schools Sack Soda in Favor of Smoothies

Schools across the nation are battling childhood obesity by getting pickier about who sells snacks to students. In several dozen school systems, Smoothie King and Jamba Juice pass the test.

Even so, smoothies are still a source of sugar and calories.

Smoothie King says its 200-calorie, 12-ounce banana-and-strawberry smoothie has 42 grams of sugar — mostly from the fruit itself, the company says. And that size is small for a smoothie.

"Parents came to Jamba because they were looking for something that was a healthier option than a soda or greasy french fries," company spokesman Kendra Gilberd said.

This school year Texas has a new school nutrition policy that restricts fried and fatty servings and sets limits on some types of food. The fruit and ice smoothies are limited to 12-ounce cups; 20-ounce smoothies can mean 300 to more than 500 calories, depending on the ingredients.

"Even too much of a good food can be a problem," said Dr. William Cochran, a pediatric gastroenterologist and nutritionist for Geisinger Clinic in Danville, Pa. He worries that snacks like smoothies won't replace something else and will only add more calories.

Steve - While overall a healthier option, smoothies are high in sugar and carbohydrates. Where's the protein?! Students who drink smoothies not accompanied by lean protein or a healthy fat, may still incur blood sugar imbalance and/or weight gain.