Smoothie King offers a variety of smoothies and other menu items that contain protein from different sources. The main protein ingredients used in many of their smoothies and supplements come from whey protein and soy protein.
Whey Protein
Whey protein is one of the primary protein sources used in many Smoothie King smoothies and supplements. Whey protein comes from milk and is a byproduct of cheese production. It contains high levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) which are important for muscle protein synthesis. Smoothie King uses whey protein isolate in many of their smoothies and supplements because it has a higher protein content and lower amounts of fat, carbs, and lactose compared to other forms of whey.
According to their website, Smoothie King uses a proprietary whey protein blend called Gladiator Protein in their smoothies and supplements. Gladiator Protein contains whey protein isolates sourced from different types of whey including concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate. This allows them to achieve a whey protein blend that offers both quick digesting proteins as well as slower digesting proteins that provide more sustained release of amino acids. Their whey protein ingredients are tested to be free of rBGH hormones.
Key Points on Whey Protein
- Gladiator Protein is Smoothie King’s proprietary whey protein blend
- Contains a mix of whey protein concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate
- Provides quick digesting and more sustained release proteins
- Sourced whey is rBGH hormone free
Soy Protein
In addition to whey protein, Smoothie King uses soy protein in some of their offerings. Soy protein is extracted from soybeans and is a complete plant-based protein containing all essential amino acids. It is particularly common in their plant-based and vegan smoothies.
The specific soy protein they use is SoyPro. SoyPro is a soy protein isolate that contains 90% protein by weight. It is extracted using a low temperature, natural water extraction process. The SoyPro isolate contains no fat, cholesterol, or lactose. It provides a nutritionally similar substitute for whey protein but is suitable for vegans and those with lactose intolerance. Smoothie King sources non-GMO and sustainably grown soybeans for their soy protein isolate.
Key Points on Soy Protein
- SoyPro is the soy protein isolate used
- Contains 90% protein and no fat, cholesterol, or lactose
- Sourced from non-GMO and sustainably grown soybeans
- Used in plant-based and vegan smoothies
Smoothie King Protein Smoothies
Some of Smoothie King’s most popular protein smoothies include:
Gladiator Protein Smoothies
Smoothies like the Slim-N-Trim, Workout Recovery, and Gladiator all contain 20g or more of Gladiator whey protein blend. They help build lean muscle and provide an extra protein boost.
Plant-Based Smoothies
Vegan and plant-based smoothies like the Vegan Tropical Tango, Vegan Chocolate, and Island Green contain SoyPro soy protein isolate as the protein source. The soy protein provides a complete plant-based protein without any dairy.
Other Protein Smoothies
The protein cheesecake smoothie uses cottage cheese as the protein and the coffee, caramel & protein shake contains collagen peptides. These provide additional protein options for specialty smoothies.
Smoothie King has options with whey, soy, and other proteins to meet various dietary needs and preferences. Their smoothies range from 20-36 grams of protein depending on the specific ingredients.
Smoothie King Supplements
In addition to smoothies, Smoothie King offers supplements and powders that can be added to smoothies or shakes to boost the nutrition including:
| Supplement | Protein Source | Protein per Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Gladiator Protein Powder | Whey protein blend | 20g |
| Vegan Protein Booster | Soy protein isolate | 20g |
| Slim-N-Trim Booster | Whey protein concentrate | 10g |
| Lean Muscle Booster | Pea protein isolate | 10g |
| Post-Workout Recovery Booster | Whey protein isolate | 25g |
These supplements allow customers to further customize the protein content of their smoothies to meet workout recovery, muscle gain, weight loss, or other health and fitness goals.
Other Smoothie King Ingredients
In addition to adding protein, many Smoothie King smoothies also contain other beneficial ingredients like:
- Fiber – Added from ingredients like oats to help support digestion.
- Probiotics – Help support gut health and immunity.
- Creatine – Improves high-intensity exercise performance.
- BCAAs – Supports muscle protein synthesis and recovery.
- Glutamine – An important amino acid for immune function.
- Vitamins & Minerals – Essential micronutrients added through ingredients like fruits, vegetables, nut butters, and juices.
Smoothie King uses researched-backed ingredients and calculated nutrient ratios to help support the goals of each smoothie whether it be fitness, weight loss, nutrition, or general health and wellness.
Quality and Sourcing
Smoothie King states that they source quality ingredients and use trusted suppliers. Some of their standards include:
- Gluten-free – All ingredients are certified gluten free.
- rBGH free – No milk proteins contain artificial growth hormone.
- Non-GMO – GMO ingredients are not knowingly used.
- Quality Fruits & Vegetables – Produce is regularly tested for quality.
- Natural Sweeteners – Sweeteners like cane sugar and agave nectar are used.
- No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives – Clean ingredients are used.
Their whey proteins have been tested to meet quality criteria for purity and low levels of impurities. Their soy protein isolate also meets standards for minimal contaminants. Smoothie King strives to provide quality nutrition you can trust in each smoothie.
Nutritional Information
Smoothie King provides complete nutritional information for all their smoothies, supplements, and menu items on their website and mobile app. Detailed info is given on:
- Calories and macronutrients
- Vitamins and minerals
- Ingredient lists
- Allergens
- Add-ons and customizations
This allows customers to see the exact nutrition stats of the smoothie they customize based on ingredients, protein boosters, supplements, and portion size. Smoothie King aims to provide transparency and meet any dietary or nutritional needs.
Conclusion
In summary, Smoothie King uses high quality whey and soy proteins in their smoothies to provide muscle-building amino acids as well as meet various dietary preferences. Gladiator whey protein and SoyPro soy protein isolate are their core protein ingredients while supplements allow further customization.
Their smoothies are designed by nutritionists to meet goals from fitness to general health and wellness. They disclose full nutrition information and source quality non-GMO, hormone-free ingredients. Overall, Smoothie King offers protein smoothies you can feel good about no matter your lifestyle or dietary needs.
