Welcome to my second edition of #fastfoodorders, where I share what a dietitian would order at a popular fast food chain, highlighting that all foods fit in a healthy lifestyle.
Sometimes (like always) life throws a curveball at us, and we don’t have the luxury to have pre-planned, homemade meals. We might not have the time or capacity to make something at home, or we’re on the go trying to deal with life. The result? Eating in the car, eating on the run, and eating whatever we can.
This week, it’s all about Jamba Juice. I think it might surprise you!
Jamba Juice and other juice-shops often get a “health halo”, meaning we assume that they are healthy based on their name, marketing, and offerings. What we don’t see (and can be incredibly concerning), is the amount of SUGAR in some of the menu items.
Many of the smoothies have added in agave, honey, frozen yogurt, sorbets, or juices, adding more sugar than you need. The Acai bowl has 65g sugar, that is over 16 teaspoons, more than a can of coke!!!
Breakfast:
PB Banana Toast – hold the honey
Multigrain bread, chia, fruit, and peanut butter make this a filling breakfast option, full of fiber and protein. Ask them to make it without the honey, to decrease the amount of added sugar. You’ll get some sweetness from both the bananas and blueberries.
Oatmeal with Chia Seeds + Berries
Fill up on the classic oatmeal, and top it with high fiber chia seeds, berries, or almonds for a filling, low sugar breakkie!
Lunch & Beyond
Spinach ‘n cheese breakfast wrap
This is decent choice, clocking in at 240calories and 15g protein, and 3g fiber, making it a good small meal to get you through the afternoon.
I would skip the juices – you’re missing one of the best parts about eating fruit: FIBER. At the end of the day, Jamba Juice doesn’t deserve it’s health halo in my opinion, I wouldn’t choose any of their smoothies. I hope that they start offering some lower sugar options in the future!
At the end of the day, the occasional fast-food meal won’t derail your otherwise nutritious lifestyle, but don’t make it a habit. Make sure that the rest of your day is filled with lean proteins, lots of vegetables and whole grains.
Lastly, make an effort to eat your fast-food sitting down at a table instead of in the car or while on the go – take the time to eat mindfully without distractions, chew properly and enjoy your meal.
#fastfood #healthyeatingout #dineout #jambajuice