Jamba Juice Combinations from the Secret Menu

Admit it. Your daily dose of fruit and healthy eating can be largely attributed to the stop at the local Jamba Juice. Jamba Juice has become the Starbucks equivalent for health nuts out there; the chain that happily introduces you to the world of smoothies and clever fruit creations--just follow the colorful hurricane! Perusing the menu for the first time is only slightly daunting; should you pick the Acai Supercharger or settle for the Strawberry Nirvana? With chocolate on the menu, it's hard to believe some of these combinations are actually good for you.

Jamba juice serves oversized smoothies for those afternoon green tea or citrus cravings: Mango-A-Go-Go to supercharge your morning rush hour conquest, or the Protein Berry Pizzazz after that workout at the gym. A light menu also helps the calorie-conscious stick to plan A. Traditionalists tend to choose punchy names from the Old Favorites list; the Grape Escape, Orange Berry Blitz, and Peenya Kowlada set the standards.

Still, if you're anxious to boost that vitamin and sugar intake to maximum capacity, consider the Secret Menu. Unknown to the casual Jamba Juice visitor, this is the opportunity to order up some flavors that will earn you the knowing nod of approval from your Jamba Juice server. No passwords required, just order any of these specialties with that confident voice and let them put together your unique creation from the 'underground':

• White Gummi: peach juice + soymilk + lime, raspberry, orange, and pineapple sherberts + one scoop of mango
• Pink Star (tastes like the pink starburst): lemonade + soymilk + raspberry sherbert + frozen yogurt + sorbet + fresh strawberries
• Strawberry Shortcake
• Sour Patch Kid: lemonade + lime, pineapple, raspberry, and orange sherbert; fresh blueberries
• Fruity Pebbles: soymilk + orange, raspberry, pineapple, and lime sherbert
• PB & J Sandwich: soymilk + frozen yogurt + strawberries + blueberries
• Tropical Tango
• Pacific Passion
• Now and Later
• Berry Depressing
• Apple Pie
• Skittles
• Lemonade Lightnin'
• Raspberry Dreamin'

Despite these highly creative concoctions, it's no secret that the calories in these fruity punches will eventually add up. Even the light menu can move out of your target diet range when you add sugar from fresh fruit, scoops of frozen yogurt or sherbert. Still, a weekly treat won't ruin your diet; with the protein boosts and vitamin-packed real fruit, you can still find your perfect balance!