Smoothies have become an increasingly popular menu item at fast food restaurants like McDonald’s in recent years. As consumers become more health conscious, they are looking for quick and convenient options for getting more fruits and vegetables into their diets. McDonald’s launched their line of smoothies in 2003 and they have been a staple on their menu ever since.
What types of smoothies does McDonald’s offer?
McDonald’s offers three core smoothie flavors on their regular menu:
- Strawberry Banana
- Mango Pineapple
- Strawberry Kiwi
The Strawberry Banana smoothie combines strawberries and bananas with yogurt and apple juice. The Mango Pineapple smoothie features mangos, pineapple, yogurt, and apple juice. The Strawberry Kiwi smoothie contains strawberries, kiwis, yogurt, and apple juice.
In addition to the core flavors, McDonald’s sometimes offers limited-time seasonal smoothie flavors as well. Some examples of past limited-time smoothie flavors have included:
- Mango Mango Pineapple (mangos and pineapple)
- Strawberry Watermelon (strawberries and watermelon)
- Mango Peach (mangos and peaches)
What sizes do the McDonald’s smoothies come in?
McDonald’s offers their smoothies in two different sizes:
- Small – 12 oz
- Medium – 16 oz
The small is a good option if you just want a quick smoothie snack, while the medium will give you a more filling beverage.
How much do McDonald’s smoothies cost?
The cost of a McDonald’s smoothie will depend on the size you select:
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Small | $2.99 |
| Medium | $3.99 |
As you can see, the small size smoothie is $2.99 while the medium size is $3.99. Prices may vary a bit by location but this is the general standard cost.
How does the price compare to other smoothie places?
Compared to other popular smoothie shops, McDonald’s is on the cheaper end for smoothie pricing. Here’s a look at how their smoothie prices compare:
| Restaurant | Small Size Price | Medium Size Price |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | $2.99 | $3.99 |
| Jamba Juice | $4.45 | $5.95 |
| Smoothie King | $5.99 | $7.79 |
As you can see, both the small and medium size smoothies at McDonald’s are at least $1 cheaper than the same size at popular smoothie chains like Jamba Juice and Smoothie King. The price difference is even greater when comparing a medium size.
Do McDonald’s smoothies go on sale or have coupons?
Yes, McDonald’s does periodically offer discounts, coupons, and promotions for their smoothies. Here are some ways you can save money on a McDonald’s smoothie:
- Dollar drink days – Certain days of the week McDonald’s offers $1 small drinks, including smoothies.
- Mobile app deals – The McDonald’s app will frequently have coupons for discounted or free drinks with purchase.
- Happy meal smoothie – You can substitute the drink in a Happy Meal for a small smoothie for just a small upcharge.
Following McDonald’s on social media is a great way to find out about their latest smoothie coupons and limited-time deals. You can often get a smoothie for under $2 when they are running mobile app promotions.
Are McDonald’s smoothies healthy?
Compared to milkshakes and sodas, McDonald’s smoothies do provide more nutritional benefits. However, they still have high sugar content and not as much fiber as fresh fruit smoothies.
On average, a small McDonald’s smoothie contains:
- 140-180 calories
- 33-46g of sugar
- 1-2g of protein
- 1-2g of fiber
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25g of added sugar per day for women and 36g for men. So a McDonald’s smoothie provides more than 100% of your recommended daily added sugar intake.
To make their smoothies healthier, consider asking for:
- No added sugar
- Extra fiber boost with chia seeds or oats
- Protein powder added
- Light ice to reduce calories
Also, the smaller 12oz size smoothie will have less sugar and calories than the 16oz size. Overall, McDonald’s smoothies can provide nutrients from fruit but should be consumed in moderation.
Are McDonald’s smoothies good value for money?
For a quick, convenient, and relatively inexpensive smoothie option, McDonald’s provides decent value. When factoring in the cost of labor to chop and blend fresh fruit and veggies versus the value of your time, spending $2-4 on a McDonald’s smoothie is not unreasonable occasionally.
However, from a pure ingredient cost perspective, you can make smoothies at home for much cheaper. If you buy frozen fruit in bulk when it’s on sale, you can make smoothies for under $1 per serving.
So in summary:
- McDonald’s smoothies are a good value for the convenience factor
- They provide fast access to a cold blended fruit drink
- They are cheaper than premium smoothie chains like Jamba Juice
- For lowest cost, making smoothies at home with sales-priced frozen fruit is hard to beat
Conclusion
McDonald’s smoothies provide an affordable and convenient option for a quick drink containing blended fruit. While not as healthy as homemade versions using all fresh ingredients, they supply more nutrients than soda or milkshakes.
Regular prices are $2.99 for a 12oz small size and $3.99 for a 16oz medium size. However, discounts and coupons are frequently available to save on the price. Overall, McDonald’s smoothies can be a tasty and budget-friendly treat when you are short on time but want something better than a sugary soda.
