With autumn in full swing, pumpkin flavored treats are everywhere you look. From pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin pie, people just can’t seem to get enough of the iconic fall flavor. Smoothie King has jumped on the pumpkin bandwagon by offering a variety of pumpkin smoothies. But are they any good? Let’s take a closer look.
What’s in Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies?
Smoothie King offers a few different pumpkin smoothie options. Here are some of the key ingredients found in their pumpkin smoothies:
– Pumpkin puree – This provides that quintessential pumpkin flavor. Smoothie King uses real pumpkin puree in their smoothies, not artificial flavoring.
– Greek yogurt – Greek yogurt provides creaminess and protein.
– Milk – Smoothies get their signature thick, creamy texture from milk. Smoothie King uses low-fat or nonfat milk.
– Ice – Blended up ice makes these drinks frosty and refreshing.
– Spices – Smoothie King adds spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to complement the pumpkin flavor.
– Sweeteners – A bit of honey, maple syrup or other sweetener balances out the spice blend.
Some potential add-ins include protein powder, granola, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and more. So Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies deliver on that creamy, pumpkiny flavor but also provide nutrition from ingredients like yogurt and milk.
Nutritional profile
How does the nutrition stack up in Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies? Here’s a look at the nutritional profile of a small size pumpkin smoothie from Smoothie King:
| Calories | 270 |
| Total Fat | 2.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Carbohydrates | 51g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 44g |
| Protein | 11g |
A small pumpkin smoothie provides a hefty 51 grams of carbohydrates, mostly from naturally occurring sugars in the fruit, milk, honey and pumpkin puree. You’re also getting 11 grams of filling protein from the Greek yogurt.
So while these smoothies are fairly high in carbs and natural sugars, they do deliver a good amount of nutrition with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Taste and texture
Now for the all important questions – how do Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies actually taste? And what’s the texture like?
Most reviewers say these smoothies have an ultra creamy, smooth texture. That’s thanks to the combination of pumpkin puree, milk, Greek yogurt and ice all blended together. There’s no pronounced chunks or bits – just velvety smooth sipping.
The flavor earns rave reviews as well. People say the pumpkin taste really shines through without being overpowering. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger add warmth and complement the pumpkin without covering it up. Sweeteners help round out the flavors.
Some descriptions of Smoothie King pumpkin smoothie flavors include:
– Rich and creamy
– Real pumpkin flavor
– Warming spices like cinnamon
– Not too sweet or sugary
– Thick and frothy
So it sounds like Smoothie King manages to achieve an excellent balanced flavor and ultra-smooth texture in these pumpkin smoothies.
Special diet accommodations
Here’s how Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies can work for special diets:
Gluten-free – Smoothie King confirms their pumpkin smoothies are gluten-free. The ingredients, including Greek yogurt and milk options, are all gluten-free. However, individuals with celiac disease should be aware cross-contamination is possible in their stores.
Vegetarian/Vegan – The pumpkin smoothies are vegetarian but not vegan. Vegans could request substituting almond milk or coconut milk for the dairy.
Low calorie – A small size pumpkin smoothie ranges from 270 to 280 calories, so is a reasonable treat for watching calories. Going up to the large size at 400+ calories is less diet-friendly.
Keto – While too high in carbs and sugar to be keto-approved, asking for unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk reduces the carb count. Adding collagen protein powder can help too.
Diabetes – With around 50g total carbohydrates per small smoothie, those needing to watch their blood sugar levels closely should enjoy these in moderation. Going for a smaller size or less sweet version can help.
So Smoothie King can accommodate some special diets, but their pumpkin smoothies may be too high in carbs and sugar for plans like keto or diabetic diets without modifications.
Pumpkin smoothie pros and cons
To sum up the key points, here are some pros and cons to consider about Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies:
Pros:
- Contains real pumpkin puree for authentic flavor
- Uses Greek yogurt for creaminess, protein
- Has a perfectly smooth, velvety texture
- Well-balanced pumpkin pie spice flavors
- Lower calorie option available in small size
- Gluten-free and vegetarian
Cons:
- Higher in natural sugars and carbs
- Not suitable for keto or diabetic diets
- Higher calorie if you size up to large or add mix-ins
- Possibility of cross-contamination for gluten-free
- Contains dairy so not vegan
How to customize your Smoothie King pumpkin smoothie
One of the best things about Smoothie King smoothies is you can customize them to your tastes and dietary needs. Here are some tips for ordering a Smoothie King pumpkin smoothie your way:
– Size down for lower calories and carbs – opt for the 20 oz small instead of 32 oz regular or 40 oz large cup.
– Skip added sweeteners – they’ll still have pumpkin flavor without extra honey or syrups.
– Ask for alternative milks – almond, coconut or oat milk to make it vegan or lower carb.
– Increase protein – add collagen protein, whey protein or plant-based protein.
– Add fiber – chia seeds, ground flaxseed or psyllium husk.
– Boost nutrition – sprinkle in cocoa powder, ground turmeric, hemp seeds or maca powder.
– Change up flavors – add cinnamon roll or salted caramel flavors instead of plain pumpkin spice.
– Top it off – topping with granola, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds or sugar-free maple syrup.
Don’t be shy about asking to customize your smoothie – Smoothie King is happy to accommodate different dietary needs and flavor preferences.
Are Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies worth it?
At around $6 to $8 for a small smoothie, are Smoothie King’s specialty pumpkin smoothies worth purchasing?
The key benefits you’re getting include:
– Convenience – No grocery shopping, meal prepping or cleanup needed. Just pop in and grab a smoothie on the go.
– Customization – Make it exactly how you like with mix-ins and ingredients tailored to your tastes. Difficult to do when making your own smoothie at home.
– High-quality ingredients – Real pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit and milk provide more nutrition than adding powdered mixes yourself.
– Delicious flavors – Smoothie King uses expertly developed spice blends and ingredients that are hard to perfectly replicate at home.
– Time savings – No time spent washing, peeling, chopping and blending means a big time savings compared to DIY smoothies.
– Treat factor – It feels special to get a barista-made autumnal pumpkin smoothie using high-end ingredients.
For the convenience, quality ingredients, flavor and time savings, Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies can be a worthwhile seasonal splurge.
How do they compare to other smoothie and coffee chains?
Smoothie King is far from the only chain now offering pumpkin smoothies. How do their versions stack up against competitors?
Jamba Juice – Jamba Juice also has delicious pumpkin smoothies made with real pumpkin and fall spice blends. Their nutrition and calories are similar to Smoothie King’s. Pricing is comparable too. One perk is Jamba Juice has great rewards program benefits.
Starbucks – The PSL may reign supreme at Starbucks, but their Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew has exploded in popularity. Offered as a smooth cold brew drink, it’s made with pumpkin flavoring, not actual pumpkin. At over 50g sugar it’s very sweet. Around $5 to $7, Starbucks pumpkin drinks tend to cost a bit more than Smoothie King.
McDonald’s – The McCafe Pumpkin Spice Latte offers that comforting pumpkin and spice flavor for only about $3 to $4.50. However, made with a sugary sauce rather than real pumpkin, nutrition is lacking compared to Smoothie King’s real-ingredients smoothies.
Dunkin’ – Dunkin’ offers both a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Pumpkin Spice Latte. Affordably priced under $5, these are tasty treats made with artificial pumpkin flavor. Smoothie King wins on nutrition for their real ingredients.
Overall, Smoothie King holds its own against both juice bar and coffeehouse competitors by delivering great pumpkin smoothie flavor using real, high-quality ingredients at reasonable prices.
FAQs
Still have questions? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Are Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies dairy-free?
No, Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies contain milk so are not dairy-free. To make them dairy-free, you can ask for a milk substitution like almond or coconut milk.
Can you buy Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothie mix to make at home?
Unfortunately Smoothie King’s proprietary pumpkin spice blend and smoothie mixes are not sold in stores for home use. However, they do sell their nutritional supplements and protein powders to add your own smoothies.
Are there peanut or nut ingredients in the pumpkin smoothies?
By default Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies do not contain peanuts, tree nuts or nut butters. However, customers can customize by asking to add peanut butter or other nut butters if desired.
Is it possible to order a keto low carb version of the pumpkin smoothie?
Yes, ask for unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk and avoid any added sweeteners to reduce the carb and sugar content. Also ask for collagen peptides or other keto protein powder to be added. This will create a smoothie more suitable for a low carb or keto diet.
How long are Smoothie King’s pumpkin smoothies available?
Pumpkin smoothies are a fall seasonal flavor at Smoothie King. They are usually available from late August through November. Supply may vary by location.
The Verdict
When that pumpkin spice craving hits, Smoothie King’s real pumpkin smoothies offer a tasty way to get your fix in drinkable form. Made with quality ingredients and customizable to your tastes, their smooth, creamy pumpkin smoothies earn rave reviews year after year. While higher in natural sugars than some options, overall they provide great flavor and nutrition in a convenient treat. So head to Smoothie King this fall to enjoy a deliciously seasonal pumpkin smoothie.
