As Americans try to increase their daily fruit and vegetable consumption, smoothies have become one of the most popular health trends among people trying to balance a busy life with healthy eating. Restaurants are scrambling to come up with new and inventive smoothie recipes to cater to this blossoming market. There are many specialty smoothie blends for restaurants to order, but smoothie blends can vary in quality depending on the brand that is chosen.

 

The USDA estimates that 75% of Americans consume less than the daily recommended amount of two cups of fruits per day, and about one-third of the fruit servings consumed in the U.S. came from fruit juice. Even fewer Americans meet the dietary guidelines for vegetable consumption. A staggering 87% of Americans consume less than 2½ cups of vegetables per day.

 

The fact that Americans are still making unhealthy choices and not recognizing the difference between ‘real fruit’ and ‘real fruit flavoring’ could be an alarming trend. Recent studies have proven that fruit juices made with added flavors and added sugar pose health risks similar to those of soft drinks, due to their high concentration of fructose. This means that in terms of sugar content, many specialty smoothie blends for restaurants could potentially be no healthier than a can of soda.

 

However, when crafted without added sugar, specialty smoothie blends for restaurants can be a source of multiple servings of fruits and vegetables, provide valuable nutrients that increase energy, promote immunity, and fight off chronic illnesses. 

 

 

Whether one is purchasing for a large chain of restaurants, or a boutique café, there are some tips that can be beneficial in selecting distributors to purchase specialty smoothie blends for restaurants from.

 

• Make sure the smoothie blends are all natural 100% real fruit mix with no added sugar, certified non-GMO. Make sure that the product is free from added colors, flavors, preservatives and additives.

Ask Questions

• Do the smoothie blends offer a variety of unique superfood enhancements?
• Are the smoothie blends versatile so that it is possible to use them for more than just smoothies?
• Does the supplier offer other items beyond smoothie blends?
• Does the supplier provide discounts for smoothie blends?

Read Reviews

• Go online to read reviews, especially if they can be sourced from sites that are independent of the company’s main website. Generally, these types of reviews are unbiased, uncensored and honest, and it is possible to develop a more comprehensive view on a supplier, their product, and especially their customer service.

Many large distributors create products that are manufactured in large batches that can contain added sugars, artificial colors, flavors, and additives. Purchasers would be well advised that, when looking for specialty smoothie blends for restaurants to ensure that the supplier they choose can provide a product that will help keep their customers healthy, satisfied and eager to return for another order.