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Smoothies and fruit juices are often seen an alternative to eating fruit, especially for children who won’t eat fruit, as a ‘healthy option’ when going out for a drink or as an addition to a lunchbox. But are they really as healthy as they claim? The Guardian published an article today about the health risks of fruit juices and smoothies. I thought I’d write a blog about fruit juices and smoothies to highlights their pros and cons, and how you can include them healthily in your diet.
Fruit juices can only ever contain a maximum of 1 of your 5-a-day, regardless of how much you drink or how many different types of fruit are in it. Smoothies can only ever contain a maximum of 2 of your 5-a-day. To contain 1 portion of fruit, a smoothie must contain all the edible pulped fruit of at least 80g of that fruit. To contain 2 portions, it must contain either:
At least 80g of one variety of whole fruit and at least 150ml of a different variety of fruit juice
or
At least 80g of one variety of whole fruit and at least 80g of another variety of whole fruit
The positives of fruit juices & smoothies
The down side to fruit juices & smoothies
Summary: the bottom line
The bottom line is that there is no alternative to eating fruit in its whole form. Remember that fresh, frozen, tinned and dried all counts. When it comes to fruit juices, it’s all about portion control. A small glass of fruit juice once a day is fine – consider drinking it at breakfast, as the vitamin C in the fruit juice will enhance the absorption of the iron from your cereal or toast. Smoothies are ok as an occasional drink, but try to limit your portion size. If you want to include fruit juices more regularly or in larger portions, consider switching to a vegetable juice instead. Now… who’s for an apple?
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