Smoothies from mc. donalds, and tim hortons, any good?

[cheapmeister]

Are the smoothies made with real fruits and actually healthy? Or are they sugary like pop, mixed with ice and similar to a slushie?

[animestan]

Heard the ones from Tims are really sweet. Other found the McDs are acceptable.

Lots of people tried both and shared their experiences here: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/mcdonalda-s-snack-size-fruit-smoothie-1-apr-16-22-a-1163785/

[tablo13]

McDonald's is good, a cheaper alternative to smoothie specialty stores like Booster and Jugo Juice. Tim Hortons is pretty much a slushie (artificial flavor tasting, LOTS of high-fructose corn syrup...)

[lilnymphie]

McDonald's is good, a cheaper alternative to smoothie specialty stores like Booster and Jugo Juice. Tim Hortons is pretty much a slushie (artificial flavor tasting, LOTS of high-fructose corn syrup...)

Ditto what he said re: Timmie's smoothy.

[redgrandam]

I was reading the ingredients for the McDonald's ones. Depending what flavour, one had added sugar. Two I believe didn't, however, there was lots of extra fruit concentrate (aka sugar) in them. Not as bad as they could be, but it really should just be fruit and fruit.

I couldn't find the ingredients for the tims ones, but my impression is they are worse.

[Raggie]

McDonalds are $1 for snack size right now. They also are giving out coupons - buy 5, get a medium for free. I like the strawberry flavour.

I don't like the Timmys smoothies.

[ippon]

McDonalds are $1 for snack size right now. They also are giving out coupons - buy 5, get a medium for free. I like the strawberry flavour.

I don't like the Timmys smoothies.

didn't that sale end on 22nd?

http://www.redflagdeals.com/in/toronto/deals/c/restaurants/mcdonalds-snack-size-fruit-smoothie-are-1-april-16-22

[Pigeu]

McD's blueberry smoothie is really good and I would never buy Tim Horton's smoothies ever again.. it tasted like blended ice n sugar.

[MikeyPyro]

Mcdonalds is good, timmies is bad. Those are my thoughts.

[berieberie]

I've had both and I would definitely pick the one's from McDonald's over Tim Hortons. As many have said, the Tim Horton one's are really sweet and give you the feeling of drinking something you know for sure is artificial. The option to add yogurt only helps somewhat in cutting down the icky feeling of too much artificial flavouring. My favourite smoothie right now at McDonald's is the pineapple mango. I find that it actually tastes fruity and refreshing imho. :razz:

[Sibica]

I'm sure they all taste good but good for you? Absolutely not. Even IF they were simply pure fruit with water, even that isn't good for you. A ripe banana for example has nearly 30 grams of sugar. To put that in perspective, it's about 7-8 teaspoons of sugar. Would that be good for you? Of course not. But somehow the idea that if it's a fruit, it's OK has settled into our minds. Simply not true.

However, seeing that most of the users here rarely ever post in the Sport and Fitness forum, and seeing what people here discuss, I doubt that anyone cares about the sugar content.

[jason9945]

I'm sure they all taste good but good for you? Absolutely not. Even IF they were simply pure fruit with water, even that isn't good for you. A ripe banana for example has nearly 30 grams of sugar. To put that in perspective, it's about 7-8 teaspoons of sugar. Would that be good for you? Of course not. But somehow the idea that if it's a fruit, it's OK has settled into our minds. Simply not true.

However, seeing that most of the users here rarely ever post in the Sport and Fitness forum, and seeing what people here discuss, I doubt that anyone cares about the sugar content.

+1. The mcdonalds ones have as much sugar as a coke.

[redgrandam]

I'm sure they all taste good but good for you? Absolutely not. Even IF they were simply pure fruit with water, even that isn't good for you. A ripe banana for example has nearly 30 grams of sugar. To put that in perspective, it's about 7-8 teaspoons of sugar. Would that be good for you? Of course not. But somehow the idea that if it's a fruit, it's OK has settled into our minds. Simply not true.

However, seeing that most of the users here rarely ever post in the Sport and Fitness forum, and seeing what people here discuss, I doubt that anyone cares about the sugar content.

Agreed. But you also have to consider in these kinds of things (if you are having them anywae) the type of sugar, mainly if it's refined or not. That alone is a big difference.

You can eat healthy and not have to totally avoid fruit completely. But certainly it shouldn't be viewed by anyone as an unlimited healthy food, like many veggies are.

[studolf]

McDicks smoothies are not bad, Timmies are just glorified gas station slushies.

I wonder when they'll introduce frappes, as they have em in the states, and so does burger king.

[Sibica]

Agreed. But you also have to consider in these kinds of things (if you are having them anywae) the type of sugar, mainly if it's refined or not. That alone is a big difference.

You can eat healthy and not have to totally avoid fruit completely. But certainly it shouldn't be viewed by anyone as an unlimited healthy food, like many veggies are.

I agree. It really depends on the rest of a person's diet. My assumption was that if someone eats relatively frequently at McD's for example, their diet isn't very good to begin with and adding more sugar into it, is not wise.

[kermitt]

wow can't believe it's been over 10 years since I had a Mickey D's milkshake! Forget the smoothie, I want me a strawberry shake.

[Mentochew]

I've tried both. IMO: McDonalds > Timmies.

Timmies: I've examined their drink. It literally is just concentrated fruit juice with slushed ice. That's it. So technically it's actually more of a slushie than a smoothie.

McDonalds: I managed to try their strawberry banana and their mango pineapple smoothies during their $1 promotion. Both were quite good. They had good flavour and an actual smoothie body as opposed to Timmies' slush. Of the two I liked strawberry banana more. I'd definitely give it a try as I can see myself grabbing a few over the hot summer =)

[lilnymphie]

This is an appropriate article for this thread, right on topic!

McDonald’s smoothie equivalent to 14 teaspoons of sugar: The Dish (http://www.healthzone.ca/health/dietfitness/thedish/article/1168815--healthier-than-many-other-icy-drinks-served-at-drive-thru-windows-fast-food-fruit-smoothies-should-still-be-considered-an-occasional-treat?bn=1)
"...We looked at three strawberry banana smoothies, from McDonald’s, Tim Hortons and Starbucks, to see how they stacked up calorie-wise. We also called the respective companies to find out the ingredients whirled into each smoothie. Then, we asked registered dietitian Carol Harrison to provide her expert opinion..."

[sandy_beach]

McDonalds for sure. They taste really good and I like how they are blended with ice cubes as opposed to timmies slush crap.

[booblehead]

tim's smoothies is way too sweet ...

[time space]

McDonald’s smoothie equivalent to 14 teaspoons of sugar: The Dish (http://www.healthzone.ca/health/dietfitness/thedish/article/1168815--healthier-than-many-other-icy-drinks-served-at-drive-thru-windows-fast-food-fruit-smoothies-should-still-be-considered-an-occasional-treat?bn=1)

/end thread

[Sibica]

This is an appropriate article for this thread, right on topic!

McDonald’s smoothie equivalent to 14 teaspoons of sugar: The Dish (http://www.healthzone.ca/health/dietfitness/thedish/article/1168815--healthier-than-many-other-icy-drinks-served-at-drive-thru-windows-fast-food-fruit-smoothies-should-still-be-considered-an-occasional-treat?bn=1)
"...We looked at three strawberry banana smoothies, from McDonald’s, Tim Hortons and Starbucks, to see how they stacked up calorie-wise. We also called the respective companies to find out the ingredients whirled into each smoothie. Then, we asked registered dietitian Carol Harrison to provide her expert opinion..."

That isn't far off from a can of coke, and I'm sure there are many people that consume a can of soda EVERY day. This isn't news, and it shouldn't be to anyone.

Purchasing an item from McD's and being shocked that it isn't healthy? Now that is surprising...

[time space]

McDonald’s smoothie equivalent to 14 teaspoons of sugar: The Dish (http://www.healthzone.ca/health/dietfitness/thedish/article/1168815--healthier-than-many-other-icy-drinks-served-at-drive-thru-windows-fast-food-fruit-smoothies-should-still-be-considered-an-occasional-treat?bn=1)

That isn't far off from a can of coke, and I'm sure there are many people that consume a can of soda EVERY day.

Ahhhh - the good old "two wrongs make a right" defence!

[wszeto28]

I liked the mcds one more mainly because it comes with yogurt in it already where as it's extra at Tim's

[wolverine07]

I enjoyed the Mcdonalds smoothie when it was on promo for a buck, had the banana/berry one. Doesn't compare with Punta Cana in the DR, but for a fast food resto, it wasn't bad.

[gilboman]

Ahhhh - the good old "two wrongs make a right" defence!

Whats wrong with sugar? Nobody is telling you to drink several a day or even daily. Go shout in the cupcake and protest at dq