Most smoothie juice distributors sell products that are labeled as healthy but upon further inspection show  added sugars and other preservatives. Recent studies have proven added sugars to pose considerable health risks, and Americans are consuming far too much of it on a daily basis. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the average American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day, which is more than 3 times the daily recommended amount for adult women and 2.5 times the allotted amount for adult men. Products that are high in added sugar content have come under scrutiny for their contributions to the development of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. 

Restaurant owners need to gain a better understanding of the ingredients going into the food and drinks that they are serving their customers. For the average consumer, identifying added sugars, artificial additives, and GMOs on a list of ingredients can be a challenge, especially with the ways that the food industry disguises the amount of sugar in their products. Customers place a great amount of trust in the establishments they visit, especially ones that claim to provide healthy menu choices.

 

Spotting added sugar on food labels requires some investigative skills. The food manufacturing industry uses several different names to disguise the name of added sugars in their products. While the total amount of sugar will be listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel, food and beverage manufacturers are not required to specify the amount of naturally occurring sugars versus added sugars. For this reason, it is important to scan the ingredients list. Added sugars and sweeteners have no health benefits, yet add all sorts of extra calories. Here are 56 different names to look out for that are really just code names for added sugar. 

 

Many consumers have diet and lifestyle restrictions and seek establishments that can provide food choices that adhere to what they require. This can pose a unique challenge to restaurants, coffee shops and cafés seeking to be inclusive. 

 

Quality smoothie juice distributors are aware of these challenges and they strive to serve the changing needs of a more health conscious population and the establishments that serve them. In order to find a quality smoothie juice distributor, one must first do a careful scan of the ingredients found in their products they sell. Smoothie mix companies that sell products that use added sugars, colors, flavors and preservatives are neglecting the nutritional needs of their consumers and jeopardizing their long-term health. Any smoothie mix products that contain added sugars or do not claim to be made with real fruit should be avoided whenever possible. Also look for a distributor that can provide products that are kosher, non-GMO, vegan, fat-free and gluten-free. By purchasing a product that covers as many dietary bases as possible, a restaurant can offer menu choices that don’t exclude anyone.

Top smoothie juice distributors should supply a product that is designed to taste as close as possible to fresh fruit and offer a balance between essential vitamins and superfood nutrients to keep customers functioning at their best. Ideally the supplier will offer multiple flavors infused with antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, and be the perfect ingredient for multiple menu items, served at any time of the day so patrons can enjoy flavor AND a boost of energy, power, and immunity with every single bite or sip.