What are the ingredients in simply smoothies?

Simply Smoothies are a popular brand of pre-made fruit and vegetable smoothies that can be found in many grocery stores and markets across the United States. The company was founded in 2006 with the goal of providing delicious, nutritious, and convenient smoothies made from whole fruits and vegetables.

Simply Smoothies come in a wide variety of flavor combinations and ingredient mixes. However, all of their smoothies share some common ingredients that form the base for each blend. These core Simply Smoothies ingredients include:

Fruit

Fruit is the main ingredient in Simply Smoothies. Each smoothie contains one or more types of fruit which provides the flavor, nutrition, and bulk of the blend. Some of the most commonly used fruits in Simply Smoothies are:

  • Bananas – Bananas provide creaminess and natural sweetness.
  • Strawberries – Strawberries add vibrant red color and sweet berry flavor.
  • Blueberries – Blueberries contribute antioxidants and give a deep purple hue.
  • Mango – Mango brings tropical flair and a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Pineapple – Pineapple gives a sweet/tart kick and offers digestive enzymes like bromelain.
  • Cherries – Cherries provide antioxidant power along with a slightly tart cherry taste.
  • Apples – Apples add fiber, vitamins, crisp sweet/tart flavor, and body.

In addition to these common fruits, Simply Smoothies also utilizes more exotic and nutrient-dense fruits like acai, goji berries, pomegranate, and avocado depending on the specific flavor and formula.

Vegetables

While fruits make up the bulk of ingredients in Simply Smoothies, most blends also contain vegetable ingredients as well. Vegetables boost the nutritional content and often provide texture. Some typical veggies found in Simply Smoothies are:

  • Spinach – Spinach adds nutrients like vitamin K, folate, magnesium and iron.
  • Kale – Kale packs vitamins A, C, and K along with antioxidants.
  • Carrots – Carrots provide beta carotene for vitamin A plus fiber and natural sweetness.
  • Beets – Beets offer nitrates, folate, and a deep red-purple color.
  • Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes give vitamin A, fiber, and creamy texture.

Other vegetables like celery, cucumber, bell peppers, and tomatoes may also be used in select Simply Smoothie recipes depending on the flavor profile.

Liquid

A liquid base is necessary to blend all the ingredients together into a smooth, drinkable beverage. Simply Smoothies uses a few different liquids to create the right consistency in each smoothie.

  • Water – Filtered or spring water helps create a smooth texture.
  • Non-dairy milk – Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk are often used for creaminess, nutrition, and allergy-friendly options.
  • 100% Juice – Orange juice or apple juice add natural sweetness and flavor complexity.
  • Coconut water – Coconut water provides electrolytes like potassium and magnesium.
  • Tea – Green tea or black tea can add antioxidant benefits.

The specific amounts and types of liquids vary between recipes depending on the other fruits and veggies used in each smoothie.

Natural Sweeteners

To balance out any tart or bitter flavors from certain fruits and veggies, Simply Smoothies uses a touch of natural sweeteners. These provide sweetness without adding refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Common natural sweeteners found in Simply Smoothies include:

  • Honey – Honey gives a subtle floral sweetness.
  • Maple syrup – Maple syrup provides an earthy, rich sweetness.
  • Pitaya – Pitaya fruit (dragonfruit) offers a lightly sweet tropical flavor.
  • Dates – Dates blend into smoothies seamlessly and give a caramel-like sweetness.
  • Banana – Ripe bananas lend their natural sweetness.
  • Stevia – Stevia leaf extract allows sweetness without calories or glycemic impact.

Simply Smoothies focuses on using just enough of these sweeteners to make the flavors pop without overpowering the fruit and veggie nutrition.

Superfoods and Nutritional Boosts

To increase the nutrient content of their smoothies, Simply Smoothies often includes unique superfoods and nutritional boosters. Some examples include:

  • Wheatgrass – Wheatgrass provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Spirulina – This blue-green algae has protein, iron, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
  • Maca powder – Maca root gives over 20 amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Cocoa powder – Cocoa contains flavanols with benefits for heart and brain health.
  • Chia seeds – Chia seeds offer fiber, protein, omega-3s and calcium.
  • Flaxseed – Flaxseed provides omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and lignans.
  • Hemp seeds – Hemp seeds contain protein, omega-3s, omega-6s, fiber, iron, and magnesium.

By carefully selecting these nutritional boosters, Simply Smoothies can pack extra nutrients into their smoothie recipes.

Thickeners

To achieve the ideal creamy, thick texture expected in a smoothie, Simply Smoothies uses a selection of natural thickeners. These ingredients help bind the smoothies together and prevent separation. Some typical thickeners found in Simply Smoothies are:

  • Chia seeds – The gelling properties of chia seeds helps thicken smoothies.
  • Flaxseeds – Similar to chia seeds, flaxseeds can absorb liquid and increase viscosity.
  • Oats – Rolled oats and oat flour lend thickness and creaminess.
  • Bananas – Ripe bananas are a classic smoothie thickener.
  • Silken tofu – Blended tofu can provide thickness without altering flavors.
  • Avocado – Avocado’s creamy texture helps make smoothies rich and thick.

Finding the right balance of thickeners is an important part of Simply Smoothies’ smoothie development to prevent their blends from being too watery or over-thickened into a paste.

Herbs and Spices

To add additional layers of flavor and health benefits, Simply Smoothies often incorporates fresh herbs and dried spices into their recipes. Examples include:

  • Cinnamon – Cinnamon provides antioxidant power and warming flavor.
  • Ginger – Ginger adds zing along with anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
  • Turmeric – Turmeric lends its anti-inflammatory compounds and earthy, peppery taste.
  • Mint – Fresh mint delivers digestive aids and cooling, herbal flavor.
  • Basil – Basil gives a fresh, aromatic flavor perfect for fruit smoothies.
  • Cilantro – Cilantro’s grassy, citrusy notes pair nicely with green vegetable smoothies.
  • Vanilla – Vanilla extract enhances sweetness and gives a floral aroma.

A delicate balance of herbs and spices allows Simply Smoothies to add just enough flavor enhancement without overpowering the starring ingredients.

Probiotics

To support digestive and immune health, some Simply Smoothies feature added probiotic cultures. These live and active microorganisms can provide benefits when consumed. Common probiotic strains added to smoothies include:

  • Lactobacillus acidophilus – This aids digestion and helps balance gut bacteria.
  • Bifidobacterium lactis – This probiotic helps regulate the digestive system.
  • Lactobacillus casei – This boosts immunity and eases IBS symptoms.
  • Lactobacillus plantarum – This promotes gut barrier function and helps reduce gas.

Since blending and heat can damage probiotics, Simply Smoothies takes care in how and when they add probiotic cultures to their smoothies.

Protein Powders (select varieties)

For an extra nutrition and energy boost, some Simply Smoothies feature added vegan protein powders. Types of plant-based protein powders found in these smoothies include:

  • Pea protein – Pea protein provides BCAAs for muscle repair and 9 essential amino acids.
  • Brown rice protein – Brown rice protein offers easy digestion along with vitamins and minerals.
  • Hemp protein – Hemp protein contains omega-3s, omega-6s, fiber, and antioxidants.
  • Sacha inchi protein – This Peruvian plant protein has a complete amino acid profile.

Protein powders help make certain Simply Smoothies filling meal replacements. They aim to use non-GMO, organic varieties whenever possible.

Conclusion

Creating the optimal smoothie is a fine balance. Simply Smoothies keeps their ingredient lists simple, using real, whole foods ingredients. But they also skillfully combine fruits, vegetables, liquids, superfoods, and other additions in creative ways to craft smoothies with great texture, nutrition, and most importantly, delicious taste. So next time you grab a Simply Smoothie, you can feel good knowing that real, high-quality ingredients went into your on-the-go meal or snack.

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