Tropicana Fruit Smoothie (tropical Fruit) - Product Review

I had been enjoying these Tropicana Fruit Smoothies and feeling pretty good about having them. They claim to have 2-1/2 servings of fruit and the 11oz. bottles are stamped with the 'Smart Choices' stamp, which claims them to be a healthy beverage, providing a full day's supply of Vitamin C.

I would occasionally enjoy the Tropical Fruit flavored Tropicana Fruit Smoothie for after dinner or sometimes have the Tropicana Mango, Passionfruit & Pineapple Smoothie, which is lower in calories for breakfast along with cereal or a muffin or bagel. The Tropicans Mango, Passionfruit & Pineapple Smoothie has only 130 calories in an 11oz bottle while There are 220 calories in the Tropicana Fruit Smoothie (tropical Fruit). Both drinks are delicious and work well either way. There are a couple of other flavors of the Tropicana Fruit Smoothies but these are the only 2 that I've tried. They are good if you want something sweet but not heavy. Also good if you know you want a smoothie but not a really big thick one like you get at the mall or a fast food place. They are also, in some cases, a healthier and less expensive alternative. I say this, even though I found that Individual bottles, claiming to contain 2 1/2 servings of fruit are actually composed mainly of apple and grape juice! Filtered Water is the primary ingredient, followed by the fruit juices from concentrate, then the pureed fruit from concentrate. Thankfully, there is no high fructose corn syrup!

I must admit that I was a little put off that apple and grape juice were the main ingredients in this supposedly 'tropical' flavored fruit smoothie, but then I read the label where it is said that

'Under the USDA's 2005 dietary guidelines, 4 oz. of 100% juice = 1 serving of fruit. The guidelines recommend that you get a majority of your daily fruit servings from whole fruit.'

This made me think I was still getting the fruit, even though it was in a pureed form, and I couldn't dispute that the smoothie had a tropical taste, rather than apple and grape. In fact, I wouldn't have known the difference had I not read the label. Besides, this Tropicana Fruit Smoothie was so delicious, filling, and refreshing. Its very satisfying when you drink it cold, right from the refrigerator! Yum!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 container (11 oz/ 325 mL)

Amount per Serving

Calories 220

Calories from Fat 0

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 0g 0%

Saturated Fat 0g 0%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 15mg 1%

Potassium 790mg 23%

Total Carbohydrate 53g 18%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 42g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 0%

Vitamin C 200%

Calcium 2%

Iron 4%

Magnesium 8%

Manganese 100%

Est. Percent of Calories from:

Fat 0.0% Carbs 96.4%

Protein 1.8%