Worth It or Not Worth It: McDonald’s New Strawberry Banana Smoothie

As with any smoothie to hit the market that is purchasable via drive-thru, my first instinct was to scoff at McDonald’s new McCafe Strawberry Banana Smoothie commercials which tout the drink as a healthy, “real fruit” option. Clocking in at 210 calories per 12-ounce serving, the drinks  aren’t nearly as awful as other smoothies I’ve seen in the past (ahem, Dunkin Donuts—a 16-ounce serving here will cost you 360 calories), they aren’t fresh fruit, plain yogurt, and ice (more or less, what a healthy smoothie should have),  either.

A check of the ingredient list turns up added sugar in both the yogurt and the fruit puree (they’re not peeling bananas back there—so much for real fruit), which is why there are 49 total carbs and 44 grams of sugar per serving. There’s also concentrated apple juice and some choice colorings and preservatives added to the mix as well.

So, what do you think, Philly? Worth it or not worth it? Have you tried it? Will you try it? Though it sounds as though the average consumer will buy McDonald’s smoothies,  I think if I’m standing there wanting a cool treat I’d go for a small vanilla cone (150 calories, not bad for ice cream), or for a healthier drink option, unsweetened iced tea with lemon or seltzer water (calorie free, and, yes, they have it—though you might have to explain it usually comes from the soda machine).

Want some truly healthy smoothie options?  Check out our local favorites here!