McDonald's Smoothie vs. Jamba Juice: One Is Hands-Down Better Than the Other ...

on July 26, 2010 at 1:25 PM

McDonald's McCafe is proving to be a serious competitor for national beverage chains -- first with the Frappe and now with the Real Fruit Smoothie.

How does this drink compare with a Jamba Juice smoothie? We looked at calorie info, price, and of course, taste to determine, when it comes to blended fruit beverages, which is better: McDonald's or Jamba Juice.

**The following product comparison is between two similar products: McDonald's Wild Berry Smoothie and Jamba Juice's new Berry Yumberry Smoothie. Prices may vary based on location.

Beverage: McDonald's McCafe Wild Berry Smoothie, 12 oz.

Price: $2.29 plus tax.

Nutrition: 210 calories; 0.5 grams of fat; 44 grams of sugar. No high fructose corn syrup. Contains less than 1 percent artificial flavors.

Overall: McDonald's smoothie is made with strawberry puree, blackberry puree, blueberry puree, concentrated pineapple juice, concentrated apple juice, low-fat yogurt, and ice. It tastes like something I'd blend up at home using frozen berries and low-fat yogurt. There's a good ratio of ice and creaminess and well-balanced bright strawberry-blueberry flavors without being overly sweet or rich. It's quite good; there's a reason McDonald's recently cancelled its smoothie giveaway for fear of running out of the popular product.

Beverage: Jamba Juice's Berry Yumberry Smoothie, 16 oz.

Price: $3.89 plus tax.

Nutrition: 230 calories; 0.5 grams of fat; 42 grams of sugar. No high fructose corn syrup. No artificial flavors or preservatives.

Overall: Jamba Juice's smoothie is made with Yumberry juice, blueberries, mangoes, and peaches. It had an overwhelming tart-sweet citrus flavor that drowned out the berry taste, and (more offensively), the ice and fruit blend separated within minutes, making for a pretty gross consistency.

The verdict? Nutritionally speaking, these smoothies are neck and neck. Though, some might take issue with the fact that McDonald's uses fruit puree (instead of real fruit like Jamba does). But my issue with the Jamba smoothie -- and this is my beef with all of the chain's products -- is that it's just too sweet. Considering the less-than-perfect consistency and the higher price tag, I think I'll be keeping cool with the McDonald's smoothie this summer ...

That is, when I'm not ordering The Frappe. Go ahead, accuse me of being in bed with McDonald's. I'm not, I promise. It's just that the McCafe products are really that good!

Which smoothie do you prefer? McDonald's or Jamba Juice?

Images via McDonalds.com; Jamba Juice.com

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: drinks, desserts, trends

Comments (20)

APeveteaux

on Jul 26, 2010 at 1:28 PM

Okay, you've almost convinced me to loosen my McDonald's ban. Really? It's better than Jamba Juice??? I know neither one is technically good for you with all of that sugar, but yummmm.

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sstepph

I want to try the Mcdonalds smoothie!! Maybe I will make dh pick me on on his way home from work!! I love McCafe thouuugh!

runnergirl888

on Jul 26, 2010 at 1:46 PM

I tried the McDonalds smoothie yesterday and it was delicious! It was the perfect consistency, not too sweet...now I want another one!

tgiamt

on Jul 26, 2010 at 1:54 PM

My mom and I used the free coupons from the paper last week. And I have to say they are really good. And I'm not really a smoothie kind of girl.

ann907

on Jul 26, 2010 at 1:57 PM

I had the McDonalds smoothie the other day and it was really good. I also had a smoothie from Jack in the box that was also good. I dont remember the price for the Jack in the box smoothie.

cleanaturalady

on Jul 26, 2010 at 2:01 PM

I've never tried either one.

blimey1

on Jul 26, 2010 at 4:07 PM

Tried the McDonald's smoothie...not impressed...artificial taste....can't beat the real whole fruit at Tropical Smoothie Cafe! Best smoothie I ever tried.... if your lucky enough to have one near by: http://www.tropicalsmoothie.com/

Nonmember comment from Vince

on Jul 26, 2010 at 4:13 PM

"Nutritionally speaking, these smoothies are neck and neck"

I don't agree, Jamba's smoothies contain no artificial colors or flavors; here are some of the ingredients in McDonald's Strawberry Banana fruit blend:

Cellulose powder, natural (botanical source) and artificial flavors, xanthan gum, citric acid, colored with fruit and vegetable juice, pectin. *Dispensed from equipment that also dispenses milk ingredients (yogurt).

McDonald's has no choice, their product is pre-blended and stored until use, if they blended each beverage in front of you with whole fruit they wouldn't need to add Xanthan gum (which some people are allergic to) to keep the product from separating. Their product also contains artificial flavors and other additives.

It's difficult to make a general comparison here; Jamba offers 30 different smoothies when McDonald's offers only two.

Vince

JenBrooks76

on Jul 26, 2010 at 4:56 PM

I tried a McDonald's smoothie the other day, and it did not sit well with me. Maybe it's just me, but most McD's products just make me feel gross after consuming them.