Is Lala yogurt smoothie good for you?

Lala yogurt smoothies have become an increasingly popular on-the-go breakfast or snack option. With a variety of flavors and added ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and grains, Lala smoothies seem like a nutritious choice. But are Lala yogurt smoothies actually good for you?

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Nutritional profile of Lala yogurt smoothies

To determine if Lala yogurt smoothies are healthy, we need to look at their nutritional profile. Here are some key nutrients found in a typical 12-ounce Lala yogurt smoothie:

Calories	200-350
Total fat	2-5g
Saturated fat	1-2.5g
Trans fat	0g
Cholesterol	10-25mg
Sodium	140-260mg
Total carbohydrate	35-60g
Dietary fiber	0-4g
Sugars	30-50g
Protein	8-12g
Calcium	200-400mg
Vitamin D	2-20mcg

As you can see, Lala smoothies provide a good amount of protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals from the yogurt. However, they are also high in natural sugars from the fruit and added sugars from syrups. They have a moderate amount of calories – not extremely high but not low either.

Benefits of Lala yogurt smoothies

Here are some of the benefits that Lala yogurt smoothies can provide:

Good source of protein – The yogurt provides 8-12g protein per serving, which will help keep you full and satisfied.
Calcium – Lala smoothies contain 200-400mg calcium from the yogurt, which is important for bone health.

Vitamin D – Added vitamin D in the yogurt provides 2-20mcg per serving to support immune function.
Fruit and veggie servings – Each smoothie contains at least one serving of fruit, which counts toward your daily produce requirements.
Probiotics – The live active cultures in yogurt provide probiotics for digestive and gut health.

Low fat – Lala smoothies are made with low-fat or non-fat yogurt and milk for a low fat beverage.
Fewer calories than juice – Smoothies contain fiber from the yogurt and fruit, which provides more nutrients and satisfaction than drinking straight fruit juice.
Convenient – They are portable and easy to drink on-the-go or for a quick breakfast.

Downsides of Lala yogurt smoothies

However, there are also some potential downsides to drinking Lala yogurt smoothies regularly:

High in sugar – With 30-50g total sugars per serving, the smoothies can spike your blood sugar levels.
Low in fiber – They only provide 0-4g fiber, which is low for a filling and blood sugar regulating snack.

Easy to over-consume – Their sweet taste makes it easy to accidentally drink too many smoothies and too many calories.
Processed ingredients – Some flavors contain processed syrups, juices, and added sugars.
Not very filling – The smooth texture makes them easy to drink quickly but not very satisfying.

Adds up calories – While the calorie count per bottle is moderate, drinking multiple smoothies a day can add excess calories.

Are Lala yogurt smoothies healthy for weight loss?

If you are trying to lose weight, Lala yogurt smoothies may help provide protein and some nutrients. But their impact on weight loss depends on how they fit into your overall diet and lifestyle.

On the plus side, the protein in Lala smoothies will help fill you up, curb cravings, and preserve muscle mass during weight loss. The calcium may also mildly boost fat burning. One study found that increased dairy calcium intake was linked to greater fat loss, especially around the stomach.

However, the sugars and calories in Lala smoothies can easily add excess calories and hinder weight loss. One bottle has 200-350 calories, so drinking multiple per day can put you in a calorie surplus. The liquid texture also does not provide lasting fullness to cut cravings.

For weight loss, it may be better to get your protein, calcium, and nutrients from lower calorie, more filling foods like Greek yogurt. But enjoying a Lala smoothie occasionally as a treat should not sabotage your diet as long as it fits within your calorie needs.

Tips for choosing a Lala smoothie while dieting:

Go for the lower calorie options under 250 calories.

Stick to 1 smoothie per day max to limit excess calories.
Have your smoothie with a protein source like eggs to promote fullness.
Avoid added sugars and syrups by choosing smoother flavors.

Always portion and track your smoothie in your food diary.
Drink plenty of water with your smoothie to limit hunger.
Wait to have your smoothie after a workout when your body can best utilize the carbs.

Are Lala smoothies good for you if you have diabetes?

For people with diabetes, the biggest concern with Lala yogurt smoothies is their high sugar content. With 30-50g total sugars in each bottle, the smoothies can cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels.

However, some research suggests that yogurt-based smoothies may not spike blood sugar as severely compared to fruit juice smoothies. One study in people with type 2 diabetes found that a yogurt smoothie caused a lower and more gradual rise in blood sugar compared to an orange juice smoothie with the same carbohydrate content.

The protein, fat, and probiotics in yogurt are thought to help slow digestion and the absorption of sugars. Still, the sugars in Lala smoothies are likely to be rapidly raising blood sugar levels, which is problematic for diabetes management.

Enjoying a small Lala smoothie as an occasional treat is unlikely to harm your diabetes control if you account for the carbs properly. But drinking them regularly and in large amounts is not recommended. For a healthier smoothie option, try making your own with plain Greek yogurt and minimal added sugars.

Tips for people with diabetes choosing a store-bought smoothie:

Stick to 12 oz options instead of larger 20-24oz bottles.
Look for low sugar varieties under 15g per serving.

Avoid added sugars by choosing flavors like strawberry banana.
Always bolus insulin to cover the full carb amount.
Pair your smoothie with protein, fat, and fiber to blunt blood sugar spikes.

Test your blood sugar before and 2 hours after your smoothie.
Limit smoothies to 1 serving per day max as an occasional treat.

Do Lala yogurt smoothies support digestion and gut health?

The live active cultures contained in yogurt can provide probiotic benefits for digestion and gut health. However, the extent of probiotic benefits depends on the specific strains and amounts of probiotics in each smoothie.

Unfortunately, most brands including Lala do not disclose the exact strains or amounts of probiotics added to their yogurt and smoothies. Without specific probiotic labeling, it is impossible to know whether Lala smoothies provide enough active probiotic cultures to colonize the gut and improve health.

Some research suggests at least 1 billion CFU (colony forming units) per serving are needed to gain benefits. But without knowing the CFU counts, Lala smoothies may or may not contain therapeutic probiotic amounts. Their probiotic content also declines over time after production.

While Lala smoothies likely provide some helpful probiotics from the yogurt, they should not be solely relied on to meet your daily probiotic needs. If gut health is your goal, opt for a refrigerated probiotic supplement with guaranteed strains and colony counts.

Signs that probiotics in a yogurt smoothie may improve gut health:

Helps reduce bloating and gas
Lessens digestive upset like diarrhea
Improves regularity and stool consistency

Aids overall digestive comfort
Supports immune function
Promotes better absorption of nutrients

Signs probiotics are not at therapeutic levels:

No noticeable improvements in digestive symptoms
Continued issues with bloating or diarrhea
No immune boosting effects

No change in gut comfort or regularity
Ongoing gut-related health issues

Do Lala yogurt smoothies have any concerning ingredients?

For the most part, Lala smoothies are made with wholesome ingredients like yogurt, milk, and fruit. However, some varieties do contain controversial or unhealthy additives:

Added sugars – Sweeteners like cane sugar and fruit juice concentrates boost smoothie sweetness but also drive up the sugar content.
Natural flavors – The exact components of “natural flavors” are rarely disclosed but can contain chemical additives.
Thickeners – Ingredients like guar gum and cellulose gum may cause digestive issues in some people.

Artificial food dyes – Dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 have been linked to allergies and hyperactivity in children.
High fructose corn syrup – HFCS is very high in fructose, which raises triglycerides and may promote overeating.

Check your specific Lala variety to see if any concerning additives are on the ingredient list. Opt for smoothies made with just yogurt, milk, and whole fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

Conclusion

Overall, Lala yogurt smoothies can provide protein, calcium, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics from yogurt along with fruits and vegetables. However, their high sugar content, lower fiber, and liquid calories mean they should be consumed in moderation, especially if you have diabetes or weight loss goals.

Enjoying the occasional Lala smoothie can be part of a healthy diet for convenience and flavor. But relying on them too often or in excess can backfire due to excess calories, carbs, and sugars. For everyday nutrition, you are better off getting nutrients from whole foods like plain Greek yogurt with fresh fruit.

Look for Lala varieties with minimal added sugars and no unhealthy additives. Pair your smoothie with protein and fiber for satiety. Limit your portions to 12 oz or less and your intake to 1 smoothie per day max. With some moderation and smart smoothie-picking, Lala’s yogurt smoothies can be a tasty on-the-go mini meal.