In the past few years, more people have become aware of their health and what they eat. Pitaya and acai breakfast bowls are riding high on this new wave of healthy and organic meals, and the trend shows no sign of slowing.

Smoothie King has become the go-to smoothie shop for many health-conscious goal-setters around the U.S., and now, for the first time, we are releasing six new smoothie bowls exclusively for our San Antonio, TX, guests! Stick around to learn more.

Smoothie King Smoothie Bowls

We’re happy to make this announcement and even happier to load our smoothie bowls with healthy, satisfying ingredients! We make our smoothie bowls with a base of pitaya or acai, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and all the clean ingredients you’ve come to love and expect from our traditional smoothies. Anyone looking for a delicious smoothie bowl in San Antonio can choose from the following flavors:

PB Swizzle

PB Swizzle smoothie bowl from Smoothie King topped with fresh fruit and peanut butter drizzle

There’s nothing quite like the combination of peanut butter and fruit. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and can help you feel full for longer. The PB Swizzle is filling and delicious—everything you could hope for from an acai breakfast bowl.

Ingredients:

● Acai Blend
● Granola
● Sliced Banana
● Diced Strawberries
● Whole Blueberries
● Peanut Butter Drizzle

Go-Go-Goji-Crunch

Go-Go-Goji-Crunch acai breakfast bowl from Smoothie King topped with fresh berries, granola, and honey

Goji berries are a superfood rich in vitamin C, fiber, iron, and vitamin A and are a staple ingredient in acai bowls. Go-Go-Goji-Crunch combines goji berries, honey, and fresh fruit to create the perfect, simple acai breakfast bowl.

Ingredients:

● Acai Blend
● Granola
● Diced Strawberries
● Whole Blueberries
● Dried Goji Berries
● Honey Drizzle

Berry Goji Getaway

Berry Goji Getaway acai breakfast bowl from Smoothie King topped with fresh fruit, coconut, and honey

Berry Goji Getaway, the last of our acai-based bowls, puts a tropical spin on the classic goji berry smoothie bowl without compromising on nutritional value. The mangos and strawberries are good sources of vitamins, and both can help promote a healthy heart, while mangos can also support a healthy digestive tract.

Ingredients:

● Acai Blend
● Diced Mango
● Diced Strawberries
● Shredded Coconut
● Dried Goji Berries
● Honey Drizzle

Bee Berry Sting

Bee Berry Sting smoothie bowl from Smoothie King topped with fresh fruit, granola, and honey

Now, let’s move into our pitaya-based bowls. Pitaya benefits are plentiful, and our Bee Berry Sting is a pitaya-based smoothie bowl topped with fresh fruit and a honey drizzle. Pitaya, otherwise known as dragon fruit, in addition to being tasty, also provides antioxidants, fiber, and prebiotics.

Ingredients:

● Pitaya Blend
● Granola
● Diced Strawberries
● Diced Mango
● Whole Blueberries
● Honey Drizzle

Hive Five

High Five smoothie bowl from Smoothie King topped with fresh fruit, coconut, and honey

If you have a sweet tooth, it’s hard to ignore it. But sometimes you don’t have to. Enter the Hive Five: a smoothie bowl with goji berries and granola sweetened with honey. Honey provides antioxidants and is a natural alternative to other sweeteners like refined sugar.

Ingredients:

● Pitaya Blend
● Sliced Banana
● Diced Mango
● Shredded Coconut
● Dried Goji Berries
● Honey Drizzle

PB Delight

PB Delight smoothie bowl from Smoothie King topped with fresh fruit, granola, and peanut butter

Blueberries seem to be one of the most widely enjoyed berries each summer. It’s no surprise why—not only are blueberries delicious, but they are also one of the best natural sources of antioxidants. PB Delight combines blueberries with peanut butter and a pitaya base to create a dreamy smoothie bowl.

Ingredients:

● Pitaya Blend
● Granola
● Sliced Banana
● Whole Blueberries
● Dried Goji Berries
● Peanut Butter Drizzle

Acai Bowl Benefits

The smoothie bowl trend is focused on health, but are acai bowls healthy?

Acai is a berry that is considered a superfood because it contains nutrients such as antioxidant vitamins and fiber. Acai breakfast bowls commonly combine fruit with granola and are also generally high in fiber and vitamins.

Whether or not your acai bowl is healthy depends on its ingredients. Find a smoothie bowl with fresh fruit and natural sweeteners to maximize your health. At Smoothie King, we are committed to providing clean and healthy options in both smoothie and bowl form. That’s why we don’t include any ingredients from our no-no list—so you know exactly what you’re getting (or not getting) in each bite.

Pitaya vs. Acai (Acai and Pitaya Benefits)

Pitaya—again, also known as dragon fruit—is a cactus fruit with a sweet taste that crosses between a kiwi, pear, and watermelon. Pitaya is naturally fat-free and high in fiber. Acai is a small berry with a slightly tart flavor similar to a blackberry or a raspberry. Below is a general comparison of nutrition facts for a 10 oz. serving of each fruit. Actual amounts in Smoothie King’s Smoothie Bowls may vary.

One serving of acai contains:

● Calories: 142
● Carbohydrates: 35g
● Protein: 1g

One serving of pitaya contains:

● Calories: 80
● Carbohydrates: 19g
● Protein: 1g

Get Your Smoothie King Smoothie Bowl Today in San Antonio and Coming to Nashville on January 10

If you are looking for a healthy and delicious pitaya or acai breakfast bowl in the San Antonio area, swing by your local Smoothie King and try one of our smoothie bowls! We promise to make clean and nutritious blends to help you pursue an active and healthy lifestyle. Order yours today!

National Coffee Day is right around the corner—on September 29th to be exact—and we want to help you celebrate one of our favorite holidays!

As the world’s most popular beverage, coffee plays a huge role in most American lives. Collectively, Americans consume around 400 million cups of coffee per day! From lattes to espresso smoothies, and with so many flavors and preparation methods, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy this revitalizing drink.

Keep reading to see why we take our coffee so seriously and try our delicious coffee protein smoothies!

Is Coffee Healthy?

Small burlap sack of brown coffee beans against a black background

We know what it does for our moods, but is coffee healthy in general?

In addition to coffee being a comforting way to start your morning, the satisfying drink also offers some fantastic health benefits. As more research comes to light, the list of reasons why coffee is so great continues to grow.

Here are just a few reasons why you should reach for healthy coffee drinks:

Coffee for Your Heart

Yes, consuming moderate amounts of coffee can make you happy, but did you know it also makes your heart happy? Drinking a few cups a day can potentially help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Not only that, but your daily cup of coffee may also provide other heart-related benefits.

Coffee and Your Brain

It doesn’t end there; coffee has more than one superpower. Some research suggests that coffee can help keep your brain functioning the way it is supposed to.

Hand holds an espresso smoothie from Smoothie King outside in Autumn

Coffee for Energy and Physical Performance

It’s no secret that everyone’s favorite perk of coffee is its ability to get you going. Whether it’s to get you out of bed or get you through the afternoon slump, coffee provides its signature boost of energy when you need it most.

By affecting the neurotransmitters in your brain, the caffeine in coffee gives you an added boost when you feel sluggish. One study even suggests that coffee can help improve physical performance by decreasing fatigue and helping you finish stronger than you could on your own.

Three women working out holding coffee protein smoothies

Feel Energized with Smoothie King

Although we love our morning cups of joe, it’s easy to forget that not all energy is created equal. The high amounts of sugars and creams people or coffee shops mix into daily cups can quickly overshadow coffee’s benefits.

To reap the benefits, ensure your favorite cup of coffee doesn’t contain too many added sugars. Otherwise, those added sugars will give you a small energy spike and drop to even lower than before.

The good news is that you can still use coffee as a healthy energy source while pleasing your taste buds with familiar flavors. We know that starting your day or workout on the right foot is essential.

That’s why we’re committed to healthy energy options.

With our Feel Energized Blends, you can rest assured knowing no smoothie contains artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Simply add espresso or cold brew (your choice) to any of our coffee protein smoothies for a healthy, satisfying energy kick. Instead of your usual frappe, try smoothies with coffee, like our Vegan Coffee Mocha, which acts as a meal replacement and offers the healthy benefits of coffee. Crafted with Sunwarrior® organic plant-based protein, banana, dates, Califia Farms® Oat Milk, 100% cocoa, and your choice of cold brew or espresso, this is sure to be your new go-to order.

A hand reaches out of a car window to take a coffee smoothie from a drive-thru worker

To try one of our healthy smoothies with coffee, go to your local Smoothie King for efficient, delicious, and curated pick-me-ups! Feel energized on National Coffee Day in a way you can feel good about.

As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. It’s no secret that the food we eat can significantly impact our physical health. Is it possible that food can influence our mental health as well? What effects can food have on our mood?

Because extensive research is needed to prove the benefits of food, some potential benefits are still being studied. This article will focus on the science that shows a strong, proven connection between food and emotional benefits. Let’s get started!

How Junk Food Affects Us

Salted french fries on a wooden cutting board

We all know what it’s like to eat an unhealthy meal – perhaps tasty in the moment, but before long, you start to feel worse. Sweetened desserts, fried foods, processed meats, and high-fat dairy products cannot make a sustainable diet. So, can these foods also hurt our emotional well-being?

Studies give us a side-by-side comparison of the long-term effects of a processed diet, like the one described above, and a whole-food diet of fruit, vegetables, and healthy proteins. Participants who regularly ate processed foods showed an increased risk of experiencing depressive symptoms.

Our physical health connects to our mental health in ways that we are continually discovering. If eating unhealthy foods might put us at risk for negative emotional symptoms, can healthy food help boost our mood?

Does Eating Healthy Make Us Happy?

A woman reading a paper smiles while she sits on a bench and drinks an energy smoothie with multivitamins

Everyone has their guilty pleasures when it comes to food – usually something with high amounts of refined sugar or fat. We turn to unhealthy snacks because they taste good, and we enjoy them, even though we know they aren’t good for us.

People tend to think of “healthy” foods as a long-term health investment that won’t provide results for a long time. In truth, there are more short-term benefits than you might realize.

One study found that in-the-moment happiness while eating vegetables was the highest among all food categories, including dessert. The induced happiness of eating sweet desserts was, on average, no better than that of fruits and vegetables.

Eating healthy foods provides other emotional benefits much faster than you might expect. Many people believe a healthy diet improves long-term overall happiness by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the connection between a healthy diet and improved happiness is estimated to occur within just two years.

The Effects of Serotonin and Vitamin B

Current psychological studies are examining the relationship between serotonin and the brain. While studies are ongoing, the information we have now shows a strong correlation between serotonin, vitamin B, and improved mood.

Serotonin

Serotonin is a critical hormone that helps regulate mood. Its emotional benefits make it a targeted treatment for psychological disorders. Our body uses an amino acid called tryptophan to produce serotonin, and a diet of low-tryptophan foods has been connected to lower levels of serotonin in the brain. Makes sense, right?

The connection between tryptophan and serotonin suggests that a diet of high-tryptophan foods may increase serotonin levels. Some foods that contain high levels of tryptophan are:

Scientists are still studying the impact of a high-tryptophan diet on the serotonin levels in the brain, but current research suggests these foods may help regulate your mood.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B has also been connected to improved emotional well-being. Studies suggest that vitamin B positively impacts mood outcomes, especially regarding stress management.

You can find vitamin B in multivitamin supplements, leafy greens, and citrus fruits. If you’re looking to pack in these mood-boosting nutrients, you can also find vitamin B and tryptophan in healthy energy smoothies made with milk, kale or spinach, nuts, and fruit.

Rule the Day with Smoothie King

A smiling couple drink Smoothie King smoothies at a park while sitting on a bench

Smoothies are a convenient, tasty way to ensure you’re consuming the proper foods you need to be healthy – physically and mentally. However, some smoothies are filled with added sugar and high-fructose corn syrup to “improve” their taste. We don’t believe in that.

At Smoothie King, we skip high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. Instead, we make our products with whole fruits and organic veggies so you can get the healthiest option available, customized for your taste buds. Start improving your mood with Smoothie King.

View our menu and find healthy smoothies near you today!

Let’s mix it up! We’ve all probably had a smoothie with standard ingredients like bananas and berries. It’s hard to branch out once you’ve found your blend; we get it. But when was the last time you tried something new at Smoothie King?! We all have our favorites, which is fine, but let’s try something new in 2022. Discover some tasty smoothie ingredients you haven’t thought of before!

It All Starts with Real Fruits & Vegetables

A good, healthy, and delicious smoothie starts with the basics: real fruits and veggies. Once you mix and match the ingredients, you can start to see different health benefits. Educating yourself on specific ingredients is helpful if you’re looking to achieve certain health goals, such as weight loss, weight gain, or weight maintenance. We wanted to highlight the benefits of some lesser-known smoothie ingredients, so without further ado, here’s a list of some unexpectedly tasty ingredients with fantastic health properties. Let’s dive in:

1. Coffee

Naturally, all forms of coffee boost energy, but did you know that coffee is linked to weight management, too? It behaves like an appetite suppressant – an all-natural one, at that. Coffee has also been linked to improved heart health and brain functionality. Luckily for you, Smoothie King has a variety of blends specially made with handcrafted cold-brew coffee to kickstart your day.

2. Lemon

Lemons are high in vitamin C and fiber, and like coffee, they support heart and digestive health. In addition, a regular intake of lemons (without added sugars) can prevent the formation of kidney stones and can help you control your weight. Try our Original High-Protein Lemon blend for a zesty kick!

3. Dates

Dates are high in both fiber and antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and Phenolic acid. They’re also a viable source of fructose, the natural sugar found in various fruits. Because they’re so sweet – with a subtle flavor reminiscent of caramel, butterscotch, cinnamon, or toffee – they’re the perfect, healthy smoothie ingredient to satisfy your sweet tooth. Our Daily Warrior is the perfect blend of dates and other naturally sweet ingredients.

4. Leafy Greens

Kale is considered one of the most nutritionally dense – if not the most nutritionally dense – vegetables on the market. Rich in vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants like lutein and beta-carotene, kale is linked to lowering cholesterol, protecting the eyes, and providing minerals that the average diet doesn’t contain enough of. Give a kale smoothie a try whenever you need a nutritional boost. (Hint: Our Vegan Mango Kale blend is as creamy as it is healthy.)

Spinach is similarly rich in nutrients – specifically, vitamin K, vitamin A, iron, and manganese. Spinach is known to boost the immune system, curb appetite, prevent osteoporosis, keep eyes healthy, support cardiovascular health, and more – all while being a low-cal option! Spinach smoothies are fantastic; rest assured that leafy greens won’t change the flavor profile of your smoothie. You’ll hardly notice they’re there. Don’t believe us? Give our Vegan Pineapple Spinach blend a taste.

5. Pear Juice

Pears are sweet and light and provide small amounts of folate, provitamin A, and niacin. These nutrients are important to cellular health and key to skin health and wound healing. They promote gut health, have anti-inflammatory properties, can lower the risk of diabetes, and may boost heart health. Try a delicious blend of our favorite fruits – including pear – in our Immune Builder Mixed Berry. (Don’t let the name throw you; there’s plenty of pear in there!)

6. Papaya Juice

Papayas are fun, fruity, and tropical – the perfect smoothie ingredient to mix things up. Like many of the ingredients we’ve touched on, papayas are rich in both antioxidants and anticancer properties, and they may improve heart health, fight inflammation, protect against skin damage, and aid digestion. Plus, papaya calories are low and delicious (in our humble opinion). Our Caribbean Way smoothie is a tropical dream!

7. Ginger

Ginger is used in several ways due to its medicinal properties. It can combat nausea, especially pregnancy-related nausea (morning sickness). Used topically, studies showed that ginger had the power to reduce pain linked to osteoarthritis and bone stiffness. Ginger can also lower blood sugars, lower cholesterol, and treat digestive symptoms such as indigestion. If you’re willing to kick things up a notch, ginger completes our Veggie Lemon Ginger Spinach blend.

8. Carrots

Carrots are known to be a good source of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. They’re popular because of their flavor, nutritional value, and classic crunch. Plus, they’ve been linked to improved eye health. Carrots are slightly sweet and bright in color. You know what they say: a balanced diet should be colorful…Try our Veggie Carrot Kale Dream to fuel your wellness!

9. Kiwi

Kiwi is a little fuzzy fruit! Did you know that kiwi can help with asthma? It helps reduce wheezing and improves lung function. Similarly, it helps boost the immune system, aids digestion, assists with managing blood pressure, reduces clotting, and so on. Kiwi is slightly acidic, tart, tangy, and pairs well with berries such as strawberries. Some say kiwi tastes like a blend of citrus, strawberries, bananas, and pineapples, and that sounds like a pretty perfect list of smoothie ingredients to us. Put our Strawberry-Kiwi Breeze to the test and see if it lives up to the hype!

10. Matcha Green Tea

Are you seeing the trend? Matcha tea, like many of the smoothie ingredients on this list, is chock-full of antioxidants. Studies show that matcha may help protect the liver, promote heart health and weight maintenance, and even help prevent cancer. Furthermore, matcha tea can help boost brain function, and when it all boils down, matcha tea tastes great. Plus, green tea calories are low, making our Green Tea Tango a guilt-free treat!

Honest, Whole Ingredients Are the Backbone of Smoothie King

Woman drinking her tasty Smoothie King blend outside featuring unique smoothie ingredients

When you sip a smoothie from Smoothie King, you can rest assured that the smoothie is good for you in more ways than one. Not only are they healthy, but they’re customizable, so you can create a blend that suits your health and wellness goals. Plus, they’re equally delicious; our veggie smoothies are as tasty as our fruity blends!

Learn more about the smoothie ingredients on our menu and stop in to try a blend with some of the ingredients we highlighted today. Or, stick to your tried-and-true order. We can’t (and won’t) stop you!

Find a Smoothie King near you!

If you are struggling to stick with your New Year’s resolutions, you aren’t alone. Now that we are well into 2022, many people are coming up short on their health and fitness goals. 80% of people admit they abandon their New Year’s resolutions as early as February. We get it.

So what are your goals for the remainder of this year? Are you trying to bulk up? Eat a healthier diet? Move your body daily? Sleep better? Whatever it is, we’re here to give you a little extra motivation. This article will address muscle recovery and why it’s essential for both your body and mind. See how proper recovery feeds into your current or future goals.

If you are trying to increase the intensity of your workouts, proper muscle recovery is critical to your success. How do you treat your muscles after working out? For starters, food plays a huge role. Foods like low-carb protein shakes can promote endurance and strength by assisting your muscles’ recovery and growth, but sometimes it’s difficult to find post-workout foods or supplements made with clean ingredients.

At Smoothie King, we understand that it isn’t worth compromising your ingredient quality. With our new protein smoothie line, The Activator® Recovery smoothies, you can get the protein and nutrients your muscles need for proper recovery without any artificial ingredients.

Essential Nutrients for Muscle Recovery

A woman wearing exercise clothes stretches and drinks a low-carb protein shake at the park

The food you eat after exercising helps determine how quickly your muscles will recover. During an intense workout, your muscles sustain slight tears, and your body loses water and minerals through sweat. For optimal muscle recovery, your body relies on protein and electrolytes to replenish what was lost and to come back even stronger.

Protein

Your muscles need dietary protein to promote growth and repair damaged cells. Your body uses the amino acids found in protein to repair damaged muscle, which can help prevent injury and promote muscle growth.

Evidence also indicates that consuming protein after an exercise can enhance the growth and maintenance of lean body mass; lean body mass is the combination of low body fat and good muscle tone. Once you have built up your body’s lean muscle, protein is essential for sustaining it.

Electrolytes

As we mentioned, your body loses water and minerals through sweat during exercise. Those minerals, known as electrolytes, help your body maximize water absorption and stay hydrated. A low mineral balance after exercising can increase the risk of cramping, headaches, and fatigue.

Foods like strawberries, spinach, oranges, kale, bananas, and other fruits and vegetables are sources of natural electrolytes. Replenishing your electrolytes after a workout can keep your body performing at its highest capacity.

The Activator® Recovery Smoothies

We created The Activator® Recovery smoothies to help guests get needed nutrients to recover properly after an intense workout. Made with protein to help build and strengthen muscle along with electrolytes to replenish what’s lost in sweat, The Activator® Recovery smoothies are made to optimize your workouts and support you in your health goals.

Our new line is available in seven delicious flavors:

Each blend contains Gladiator® Protein to assist your recovering muscles and promote lean muscle growth. With a base of juice and coconut water, these smoothies are also high in electrolytes without any added sugar.

The combination of protein and natural electrolytes makes The Activator® Recovery smoothie the best post-workout smoothie for reaching your fitness goals!

Healthy Ingredients for Muscle Recovery

Like the rest of our menu, we craft The Activator® Recovery smoothies with whole fruits and organic veggies, free of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Now, you can order your post-workout smoothie without having to worry about added sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or GMO fruits and veggies.

The Activator® Recovery smoothies meet your needs regardless of your current fitness goals. With 260 calories in each 20oz blend, these high-protein smoothies are blended to encourage healthy muscle recovery and growth.

Seize the Day with Smoothie King

A post-workout smoothie beside multiple kettlebells at a gym

At Smoothie King, we know how important your health and fitness goals are. That’s why we spent over five years developing smoothies that not only nutritionally support your goals but help you reach them.

Our menu includes smoothies specially blended for promoting muscle recovery, helping you meet calorie goals, replenishing vitamins, and more. Check out our full menu and find protein smoothies near you.

Do you ever wonder if health recommendations are merely the latest fad or if the benefits really will outlast the trend? While many focus on what not to put into your body, it’s just as important to focus on what you do allow into your body. The idea of “5 A Day” is just that: five daily servings of fruits and veggies to help you be proactive about a healthy life today and in the future.

What Is “5 A Day?”

“5 A Day” is a public health campaign based on the World Health Organization’s recommendation to eat at least 400 grams (or roughly 5 servings) of fruits and vegetables each day, with an ideal breakdown of 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables. It was established in the early 1990s and is still relevant today, especially considering that only 1 in 10 American adults meet this minimum requirement.

Why “5 A Day?”

Making fruits and veggies a vital part of your diet has benefits galore! Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber that not only help you stay fit, but when paired with a healthy diet, they can even help prevent non-communicable diseases – including lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer to name a few.

In comparing people who followed the “5 A Day” guidelines with those who ate less than the recommended serving amount, scientists saw huge differences in major chronic diseases. Those who ate “5 A Day” had a 10% lower risk of dying from cancer, a 12% lower risk of dying from both heart disease and stroke, and a 35% lower risk of dying from respiratory disease. Of the two million individuals studied, there was a 13% lower risk of dying from all causes – just from eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day!

What Counts and What Doesn’t?

While following “5 A Day,” it’s crucial to remember that not all fruits and veggies are created equal. Not only is it important to eat a variety of fruits and veggies to receive the different health benefits, but some veggies don’t even make the cut:

Although these veggies are still good for you and can provide energy, they are generally starch sources and don’t offer the same benefits as other veggies.

Note that supplements do not give you the same benefits as eating real whole fruits and veggies, either. They do not count toward your “5 A Day.”

Where Should You Start?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s some good news: Any addition of fruits and veggies to your diet will be a good thing. The other good news is that if raw baby carrots don’t get you excited, fruits and veggies come served in a variety of ways for you to enjoy.

A group of women drinking the best fruit smoothies and veggie smoothies at a table at Smoothie King

Fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and even fruit and veggie smoothies all count toward your five daily servings. When you have the time, you can prep fresh and dried foods at home. When you are busy, you can simply pick up a fruit smoothie near you in between errands to maintain both your healthy and busy lifestyle.

How Can We Help?

We want to help everyone become the healthiest versions of themselves. Part of that vision stems from eating clean fruits and veggies. With the best fruit and veggie smoothies at Smoothie King, you can enjoy eating something both healthy and yummy (without any of the harmful additives). Whether you like the sweetness of berries or the fresh flavor of a spinach blend, we can help you reach your five servings while also giving you variety in the types of fruits and veggies you eat every day.

On the road to a healthy future? Find a veggie or fruit smoothie near you!

As you try to add fruits and veggies into your diet, you’ll see that it’s a lot easier than you think. Just this simple addition can make a huge difference for your long-term health.

What should you eat after giving plasma? Foods high in protein, iron, and electrolytes will help your body recover after a plasma donation. Your body also needs plenty of water to avoid dehydration and replenish the lost plasma.

For those who aren’t afraid of needles, donating plasma is an easy way to earn some additional income and help those who rely on the medicine made from plasma. Yet, some people who donate regularly struggle to properly replenish lost nutrients (or may not grasp how important it is to do so).

That’s where we come in.

We’ll review what happens when the body loses plasma. Plus, we’ll offer healthy suggestions for post-donation recovery, too. Let’s get started!

What Happens When You Donate Plasma?

Plasma is the part of the blood that does not contain red blood cells. Its role is to carry nutrients, protein, and hormones throughout the body.

When someone donates plasma, a process called “plasmapheresis” separates the plasma from the red blood cells. The machine that separates the plasma then returns the red blood cells to the donor, resulting in the body only losing plasma during the donation process.

Does Donating Plasma Deplete Protein?

Plasma donation centers recommend eating a high-protein meal after your donation. Studies have indicated that blood protein values are lower in plasma donors than in whole blood donors or non-donors. In other words, plasma donors are at increased risk of low serum protein levels.

The negative correlation between the frequency of plasma donations and protein levels suggests that our bodies can’t immediately replace the lost protein.

What to Eat After Donating Plasma

A basket of fruit, including kiwis, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and a lime

Donating plasma can lead to lower protein levels and, as mentioned, dehydration; this is because plasma is mostly water. Because it contains water, salt, and proteins, it’s best to eat foods that can rehydrate and refuel your body.

To help your body recover, consider a protein smoothie. Protein smoothies are made with fruits and vegetables, and a nutrient-dense protein smoothie will hydrate and restore lost protein. Let’s take a look at which specific ingredients make smoothies a good, replenishing recovery option.

Juice and Electrolytes

Electrolytes are critical for balancing your water and pH levels, and when any water leaves your body, the electrolytes also exit. Plasma centers encourage donors to replenish their water and electrolytes after donating plasma. So, if you choose to recover with a protein smoothie, opt for one filled with fruits or fruit juice – great sources of electrolytes.

Here are some high-electrolyte foods to look for:

Protein

Before each donation, plasma centers will check your vitals and blood protein level. If your protein level drops too low, you will not be allowed to donate. Protein smoothies are a great way to help your body replenish protein and avoid complications during future donations.

Iron

As stated, donating plasma may decrease your iron levels, which can lead to exhaustion. To avoid these symptoms, look for protein smoothies near you that contain iron-rich vegetables.

Some veggies to look for might include:

As a general rule, plasma centers recommend eating a healthy meal before and after your donation. Drinking plenty of liquids and eating high-protein, high-iron meals can help you stay healthy and avoid any severe side effects. So, where can you find a nutritious protein smoothie that checks off all the boxes?

Healthy Protein Smoothies Near You

A boy and girl sitting on a park bench drinking Smoothie King protein smoothies

Finding protein smoothies with all-natural ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors used to be challenging but not anymore!

At Smoothie King, we’re committed to making more nutritious smoothies. That’s why we use whole fruits and organic veggies in all of our blends and avoid any hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, or high-fructose corn syrup.

Our new The Activator® Recovery smoothies can help you keep your body in peak physical condition. The Activator® Recovery smoothies are filled with protein and electrolytes, making them the perfect post-donation or post-workout choice. Find a recovery smoothie near you the next time you exercise or donate plasma.

Living a healthy lifestyle takes on a different form for everybody. What foods give energy or lead to weight gain for one person may do something completely different for another. That’s the tricky thing about diets: Individual bodies have individual needs. So, is there a one-size-fits-all diet? Or a diet that is worth pursuing at all? Let’s find out.

The Trouble with Diets

Diets can be controversial. For some, a diet can propel fitness goals. Many find Keto or healthy smoothies for weight loss quite effective. For others, diet culture can lead to bingeing, gaining weight in the long run, and even eating disorders. Aggressive dieters can negatively impact their metabolic rate, meaning a slow rate in which the body burns calories.

Ultimately, we can’t narrow down one’s health and physical state to clothing size or a number on the scale. If you’re having trouble finding a diet that is a positive experience, it may be time to change your strategy. Shifting your focus to what you can eat rather than what you can’t eat may end up being the best thing you can do for your health.

Whole Foods

A person holding a large handful of blueberries in both hands

Experts are directing us to eat the way people did a hundred years ago, saying that eating whole foods not only helps weight loss but promotes better health in the long run. A whole-food diet not only lowers the risks of major illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer but can help people feel healthier and happier immediately in their everyday life. Instead of focusing on restrictions, eating whole foods helps you focus on what you put into your body to fuel it.

What Are Whole Foods?

So, what are whole foods, anyway?

It’s a fairly simple concept. Whole foods are as close to their natural form as possible. This might look like:

Consuming an abundance of fruit and veggies is a hallmark of eating whole foods. Also, before you think that eating whole foods is munching on baby carrots all day, know that there is a vast world of colors and foods to eat. Whether eaten raw, cooked, or blended in an energy smoothie, eating whole foods doesn’t have to look or taste boring.

Eating meat and dairy depends on your personal preference. Some opt for organically raised meat without any added hormones and unpasteurized forms of dairy products (which would include non-cow milk products). Taking a complete vegan approach would simply mean finding your sources of iron, calcium, and other vitamins elsewhere.

Why Eat Whole?

As mentioned before, eating whole foods can provide a myriad of health benefits. Whole foods contain maximum nutritional benefits – benefits that food processing removes. Some of these benefits help prevent health complications and sicknesses, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer. Whole foods can also help your body lose weight in not only a healthy way but a sustainable way by increasing your metabolic rate. Based on a study, those who eat strictly whole foods over processed have reported increased energy levels, better concentration levels, and more restful sleep. Eating whole foods can not only help you with weight loss goals, but it can also help you feel better overall!

Start Simply

Two friends enjoying healthy smoothies for weight loss near a pond on a sunny day

Maybe the most difficult part of ditching fad diets and eating a “diet” rich in whole foods is starting. It can feel daunting to do a complete overhaul of what you may already be used to eating. It can be a lot of work and can often feel more expensive at first. So, here are some ways you can start implementing whole foods into your diet:

Skip the Fast Food:

Choose Whole Grains:

Replace Pre-Packaged Foods with Fresh Produce:

While diets may work for some – depending on the person – eating whole foods is a great start to your health journey as what you focus on putting into your body can be just, if not more, important than restricting what you are putting in.

We’re Here for You at Smoothie King

Are you looking for an easier way to implement whole foods into your diet? Try Smoothie King – whole blends to help you lead a healthier, happier life!

Since the 1970s, health experts have recommended loading up on fruits, veggies, and multivitamins high in vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as a natural antioxidant that boosts immune support and produces several hormones used in the brain and nerves.

Because vitamin C dissolves in water, it can be delivered quickly to the body’s tissues but can’t be stored for long. To maintain a healthy level of vitamin C, you should reach the daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Keep reading to learn the recommended daily amount and which foods are high in vitamin C.

Vitamin C Recommended Daily Allowance

The vitamin C daily RDA for adults 19 years or older is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women. Pregnant or lactating women should increase their intake to 85 mg and 120 mg daily, respectively.

Remember not to overdo it on your vitamin C intake, either. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level or maximum daily intake recommended by The Harvard School of Public Health is 2000 mg daily.

Fruits and vegetables are some of the main sources of vitamins in the average diet, and oranges are known for containing high amounts of vitamin C. So, how many oranges would you have to eat to reach the RDA for vitamin C?

Orange Nutrition Facts (Orange Calories and Vitamin C Levels)

One medium-sized orange contains:

One orange contains roughly 93% of the vitamin C RDA for women and 77% for men. Other foods high in vitamin C include:

4 Easy Ways to Squeeze More Vitamin C Into Your Diet

Increasing your vitamin C intake has never been easier than with our multivitamin smoothies at Smoothie King. Here are just a few of our favorite blends packed with vitamin C and other essential nutrients to support your immune system and help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Immune Builder® Orange

SmoothieKing’s Immune Builder® Orange smoothie

Vitamin C content: 800% of your daily vitamin C per serving

Immune Builder® Orange is perfect for fueling your wellness. It contains more than 100% of your daily vitamin C and includes vitamins A & E, selenium, and zinc. This smoothie is made with bananas, mangos, fruit juice, and our Immune Support Nutritional Enhancer, which contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that support your immune system.

Immune Builder® smoothies also come in two alternative flavors: The Immune Builder® Mixed Berry smoothie and the Immune Builder® Veggie Superfood smoothie.

Vegan Mixed Berry

Vegan Mixed Berry smoothie from Smoothie King

Vitamin C content: 800% of your daily vitamin C per serving

Are you looking to go vegan? This berry smoothie contains only plant-based ingredients including strawberries, wild blueberries, bananas, raspberries, fruit juice, Califia Farms Oat Milk, Sunwarrior Organic plant-based protein, and our Super Grains Enhancer.

If the berry smoothie isn’t your blend, try one of our other vegan flavors: Dark Chocolate Banana, Mango Kale, Nutty Super Grain, or Pineapple Spinach.

MangoFest™ Manage Weight Blend

MangoFest smoothie from Smoothie King

Vitamin C content: Mangoes (36 mg per 100 grams), Apple Pineapple Juice blend (9.4 mg per 100 grams)*

If you’re trying to cut back on unnecessary calories, MangoFest™ is a perfect choice. This smoothie is rich in vitamin C – it contains mangoes, fruit juice, no added sugar, and fewer calories. Drink it and crush your goals!

* Food data are taken from the USDA Food Data Central.

Island Impact® Enjoy a Treat Blend

Island Impact smoothie from Smoothie King

Vitamin C content: Mangoes (36 mg per 100 grams), Pineapples (47 mg per 100 grams), Apple Pineapple Juice blend (9.4 mg per 100 grams)*

Let’s face it. Sometimes you need to treat yourself. Our Island Impact® smoothie has all the flavor you want in a treat without added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. This vitamin-rich smoothie contains mangoes, pineapple, and fruit juice and pairs well with our Immune Support and Multivitamin Nutritional Enhancers.

* Food data are taken from the USDA Food Data Central.

Find Multivitamin Smoothies for Immune Support at Smoothie King

At Smoothie King, we believe in providing easy and delicious ways for you to fit vitamins and essential nutrients into your diet. Our menu of over 80 different blends has something for everyone, whether you’re trying to boost your energy, lose weight, maintain a healthy body, or simply enjoy a treat. No matter your goals, you can have peace of mind knowing your smoothies are made without high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Click here to learn more about our commitment to providing delicious and healthy smoothies.

Have you ever wished you could whip up your favorite Smoothie King smoothie from home? Now you can! With Smoothie King’s new smoothie subscription service, you can enjoy your favorite healthy treats in an instant. As with our in-store products, we are devoted to helping you reach your health goals by delivering purposeful ingredients right to your freezer with our new Nourish Daily subscription smoothie box.

Why a Smoothie Subscription Service?

Although we love seeing our customers in stores, we know that the logistics of getting to your local Smoothie King don’t always work out, especially with a busy schedule.

Nourish Daily gives you ready-to-blend smoothies with all the same great tastes and benefits you’d expect from one of our fresh in-store smoothies. With our curated and personalized shipments, you can expect excellence from each box.

How It Works

With our smoothie subscription service, you won’t be required to fill out any contracts or agree to a minimum subscription length. You can pause or cancel at any time. You can even make a one-time purchase! The process is simple and designed to get you a box tailored to your specific goals and needs.

Build Your Box

To start, you’ll want to build your box. You can select 7, 14, or 21 smoothies to be delivered to you at a time.

Find Your Purpose

You don’t merely have to rely on raw ingredients to get the most out of your smoothie. Choose purpose powders that will enhance what you’re working toward, similar to Smoothie King’s nutritional enhancers. You can also choose a curated box based on your personal health goals.

These curated boxes allow you to choose select, individual purpose powders that support your health goals:

Select Your Ingredients

After selecting your purpose powders to help enhance your health goals, choose from 10 combinations of clean, healthy ingredients to make up the bulk of your smoothie. From Cold Brew Almond and Cocoa Banana Nut to Strawberry Banana and Spinach Ginger, we offer a wide variety of ingredients and flavors that you can customize into your delicious, personalized smoothie.

Receiving Your Box

After selecting your delivery date, your ready-to-blend smoothie ingredients will be on their way! Your box will come in a recyclable cardboard box, your ingredients will come frozen flat for easy storage in the freezer, and your purpose powders can be stored at room temperature. Because we care about our ingredients and process, our smoothies aren’t coming from a mass warehouse—they are packed right at your local Smoothie King.

We know you’re busy, so we want to deliver in the most convenient way possible. We’ve partnered with DoorDash so you can select the time you’ll be home to accept your delivery. This way, your smoothie goodness won’t have to sit on the front porch or in transit for hours and thaw. Instead of delivery, you can also select to personally pick up your subscription smoothie box from your local Smoothie King store.

How to Blend

  1. Add frozen ingredients into your blender.
  2. Add 8 oz of liquid. Add water for fewer calories, milk for a creamier smoothie, or juice for an added flavor.
  3. Lastly, add a purpose powder into your blender.
  4. Blend well.
  5. Enjoy!
Nourish Daily Smoothie Subscription box with packaged ingredients

Add Convenience to Your Life

We strongly believe in clean, delicious smoothies to help fuel you. Your ready-to-blend smoothie delivery comes with organic veggies and non-GMO fruit and skips out on the hydrogenated oils, trans fat, and artificial colors and flavors. We know life can get busy and fast-paced, especially when you’re working on your health and fitness goals. Smoothie King and Nourish Daily are committed to giving you the best in a more accessible way than ever. Take your nutrition and healthy snacking to the next level by bringing your favorite healthy smoothies right into your own home.