Healthier Smoothies at Jamba, Panera, Smoothie King, and Other Chains

“Unfortunately, chain restaurants aren’t required to list the amount of added sugars they use,” Keating says. (Of the chains we looked at, only Smoothie King listed added sugars on its website.) So it’s hard to tell whether your smoothie’s sugar content is coming from natural sources like fruit or other less healthy ingredients.

To help you make better choices, our experts share three key tips for smarter ordering and some good menu picks.

Look for whole fruits and veggies in the ingredients list. A drink that lists whole produce first is your best bet. Fruit purées can be a fine choice, too. Fruit juices aren’t a bad option as long as they’re 100 percent juice, which contains no added sugars.

Make substitutions. Some chains—particularly those that specialize in smoothies—may be amenable to making ingredient swaps. “When you see a sweetener like agave, ask to leave it out or replace it with some fresh pineapple to add sweetness instead,” Keating says.

Skip the add-on “boosts.” Some chains offer “boosts,” “supplements,” and “enhancers” but often don’t disclose exactly what’s in them, and they’re generally not necessary. “If a smoothie is mostly produce, you’ll be getting a variety of nutrients already,” Keating says.