Smoothie King’s seasonal Pumpkin Delight smoothie is a popular fall treat made with real pumpkin and fall spice flavors. But what exactly is in the Pumpkin Delight smoothie? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts behind this festive fall beverage.
Pumpkin Delight Smoothie Ingredients
The main ingredients in Smoothie King’s Pumpkin Delight smoothie are:
- Pumpkin puree – Smoothie King uses real pumpkin puree, not artificial flavoring, to give this smoothie its signature pumpkin taste.
- Nonfat vanilla yogurt – Yogurt provides creaminess, protein, andbalances out the pumpkin flavor.
- Evaporated cane juice – This is used as a sweetener in place of plain sugar.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon adds warming fall spice flavor.
- Nutmeg – Along with cinnamon, nutmeg provides those classic pumpkin pie spices.
- Ginger – Ginger adds a little heat and complements the other spices.
- Ice – The smoothie base is blended with ice to create the signature Smoothie King thickness and frosty texture.
That covers the main ingredients, but Smoothie King also notes that the Pumpkin Delight may contain trace ingredients like wheat, soy, milk, eggs, and tree nuts due to the equipment used in their stores.
Nutrition Information
One 20 ounce Pumpkin Delight smoothie from Smoothie King provides the following nutrition:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Total Fat | 1.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 57g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugars | 52g |
| Protein | 8g |
| Vitamin A | 170% DV |
| Vitamin C | 20% DV |
| Calcium | 20% DV |
| Iron | 8% DV |
As you can see, while high in natural sugar from the fruit and evaporated cane juice, the Pumpkin Delight delivers a hefty dose of vitamin A from the pumpkin, as well as 20% of your daily needs for calcium and vitamin C.
Smoothie King Pumpkin Puree
Since real pumpkin is the star ingredient in Smoothie King’s Pumpkin Delight, you may wonder about the source of their pumpkin puree.
According to Smoothie King, their pumpkin puree is made from a blend of pumpkin varieties, including sugar pumpkin, canned pumpkin, and autumn pumpkin. The puree is seasoned with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
By using a mix of pumpkin varieties, Smoothie King can achieve the optimal flavor, texture, and nutrition for their pumpkin smoothie puree.
Their puree contains no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. It’s made fresh in their kitchens and delivered to stores weekly.
How to Make a Pumpkin Delight Dupe
Want to recreate the Pumpkin Delight at home? Here’s a simple recipe to make a 6 ounce smoothie with a similar nutrition profile and flavor:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 1/2 cup ice
Instructions:
- Add the pumpkin, yogurt, honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to a blender.
- Pour in the milk and ice.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
For a thicker smoothie, use less milk. For a thinner, more drinkable consistency, add more milk. Play around with the spice measurements too to suit your taste.
Pumpkin Delight vs. Other Smoothie King Smoothies
How does the Pumpkin Delight stack up against some of Smoothie King’s other popular smoothie flavors?
Here’s a quick nutrition comparison of a 20 ounce Pumpkin Delight vs. similar 20 ounce smoothies from Smoothie King:
| Smoothie | Calories | Sugar | Protein | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Delight | 260 | 52g | 8g | 4g |
| Strawberry Kiwi Breeze | 270 | 64g | 4g | 4g |
| Angel Food | 280 | 53g | 10g | 4g |
| Strawberry Surf Rider | 300 | 58g | 4g | 2g |
Compared to Smoothie King’s fruit-based smoothies, the Pumpkin Delight has a similar calorie count and sugar content, with a bit more protein and fiber thanks to the yogurt and pumpkin.
How Does it Compare to the Pumpkin Spice Smoothie?
Smoothie King also offers a Pumpkin Spice smoothie. How does it differ from the Pumpkin Delight?
The Pumpkin Spice uses pumpkin pie filling instead of pure pumpkin puree. It also lacks the yogurt found in the Pumpkin Delight, and has cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for spice flavor.
While still containing pumpkin, the Pumpkin Spice smoothie has more added sugars and less protein than the Pumpkin Delight. The Pumpkin Delight highlights the natural sweetness of pumpkin paired with warming spices.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin
What health benefits does pumpkin provide in Smoothie King’s autumnal smoothie?
Some of the key nutrients and benefits found in pumpkin include:
- Vitamin A – One cup of canned pumpkin provides over 100% of your daily vitamin A needs. Vitamin A helps support immune function and eye health.
- Vitamin C – With over 20% of your daily vitamin C per serving, pumpkin helps boost immunity and nutrient absorption.
- Potassium – Pumpkin is high in potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure.
- Fiber – The fiber in pumpkin helps promote good digestion and heart health.
- Alpha-carotene – Pumpkin is one of the best sources of this antioxidant nutrient that helps reduce inflammation and promote skin health.
Thanks to this stellar nutrient profile, enjoying pumpkin in smoothies like the Pumpkin Delight can boost your intake of immunity-supporting vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Is the Pumpkin Delight Smoothie Healthy?
Packed with real fruit and pumpkin, protein from the yogurt, and spice flavors from cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, the Pumpkin Delight smoothie provides a relatively healthy seasonal treat.
Benefits of Smoothie King’s Pumpkin Delight include:
- Good source of fiber and protein to help you stay full and satisfied
- Immune-boosting vitamin A, C, and antioxidants from the pumpkin
- Bone-building calcium from the yogurt
- Anti-inflammatory benefits from the warming spices
- Naturally energizing without a caffeine jolt
Potential downsides to keep in mind:
- High in natural sugar, which can spike blood sugar levels
- Lower in protein compared to Smoothie King’s whey protein-based smoothies
- Higher in calories and carbohydrates than a straight vegetable smoothie
Overall, when enjoyed in moderation, the Pumpkin Delight can be part of a healthy balanced diet. Pair it with protein and healthy fats for more staying power.
Pumpkin Delight Smoothie FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Smoothie King’s festive Pumpkin Delight smoothie:
Is the Pumpkin Delight vegan?
No, the Pumpkin Delight smoothie contains yogurt, which is a dairy product derived from milk. So it is vegetarian but not vegan or dairy-free.
Is it gluten-free?
Smoothie King states the Pumpkin Delight smoothie is gluten-free. However, it’s made in facilities that also process wheat and gluten products, so there is a small risk of cross-contamination.
Can you add protein powder?
Yes, you can add extra protein by including whey, plant, or other protein powders. This can help boost the filling fiber, protein, and nutrients.
Is it available year-round?
No, Smoothie King’s Pumpkin Delight is a seasonal fall flavor. It’s usually available from late August through December while pumpkin is in season.
Can you make it with almond milk?
Smoothie King can make the Pumpkin Delight with non-dairy milk substitutes like almond milk upon request. The nutrition facts may vary slightly when modifying the standard recipe.
The Perfect Fall Smoothie
With real pumpkin puree, fall spices, and a creamy yogurt base, Smoothie King’s Pumpkin Delight smoothie is a delicious and nutritious autumn treat. It provides ample vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants in each frosty sip.
Keep an eye out for its limited time return this fall. And try recreating it at home with our simple pumpkin smoothie recipe so you can enjoy its seasonal flavors all season long.
