A recent conversation with a friend of mine:
“Why don’t you ever blog about anything local?”
A shrug. “I’m not sure. I’ve lived here all my life, so I usually go to the same places.”
“You need to switch it up! And put it on your blog! People would love a more personal touch.”
My Experience at Planet Smoothie
So, lo and behold, two weeks and some new experiences later, I have discovered something new in Pittsburgh worth blogging about: Planet Smoothie. Located downstairs of the popular The X Gym in Shadyside, Planet Smoothie features a vast array of different smoothies, ranging from the ultra-decadent 500-calorie PBJ to the lean-mean 2-Piece Bikini. Â They also have a frozen yogurt and toppings bar, so if you show up with a friend or child who’s less than keen on fitness, there’s something for them, too.
My personal favorite is the Screamsicle, with pineapples, peaches, orange juice, yogurt, orange sherbet – and just 190 calories.
Looking for something different? Their entire menu is available on the Planet Smoothie website; note that availability varies by location.
What Science Says About Smoothies
While it’s mighty difficult to find a controlled study on the efficacy of quote-on-quote smoothies, heightened fruit and vegetable consumption has been associated with every positive outcome from improved immunity to firmer skin. As Dr. Servan Schrieber M.D. Ph.D. attests in his best-selling book, Anticancer: “Studies have shown a combination of ingredients in food have a much greater effect than a single component. [In one study] one component in food reduced breast cancer in mice by 50 percent. Four decreased it by 90 percent.” Smoothies are also an incredible way to incorporate hard-to-ingest beneficial ingredients like flaxseed (a source of omega-3s) and wheatgrass (a source of many vitamins) into your diet.
On the flip side, it is often hard to control the calories with smoothies, especially with fruit-based smoothies, due to the high sugar content. It is usually best to stick to vegetable-based smoothies, or, if you must have fruit, stick to “low-calorie” options at smoothie bars, and don’t add sugar.
Another problem with smoothies is that they tend to be acidic in nature. This is debatable and has not been clinically researched in a structured study, but some physicians swear that the secret to improved health is to keep the body’s pH on the alkaline end of the safe spectrum. In her book, Stop Aging: Start Living – The Two Week Diet that Erases Wrinkles, Beautifies Skin, and Makes You Feel Fantastic, dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf, M.D. reports that her alkalinizing cocktail is the secret to great skin.
Lastly, pulp-free smoothies can remove a lot of the fiber from the ingredients that aids in vitamin absorption. If you regularly make smoothies, it is a good idea to start incorporating the pulp into your smoothies as regularly as possible.
Bottom Line
Smoothies are one of those areas where you’re not going to be able to get a consistent answer from doctors quite yet. Just today, Dr. Steven Eisenberg, M.D. posted on Twitter (@drseisenberg), “Lots of patients on “green drinks”. Fruit and veggie pills too. How about just REAL veggies?”
It’s a lot easier to eat five vegetables blended in a cup than it is on a plate, but then again, you’re also more subject to getting extra calories from more sugar and less fiber as well. At any rate, I find it much easier to grab a smoothie than prepare a salad these days, so I’m more than happy with my experience at Planet Smoothie, and with smoothies in general. 🙂