Smoothie King is an American smoothie company popular for its fruit and veggie drinks. Smoothies can be a component of a balanced diet because they are frequently packed with nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, nut butter, and protein powder. Because these items are frequently suitable for various diets, those who live a vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, or high-protein lifestyle will typically find something healthful on the Smoothie King menu.

Smoothies are also an excellent source of nutrients, but if you live with diabetes, you may also learn that they are also filled with carbs and sugar. It is possible to enjoy a smoothie at Smoothie King if you live with diabetes, but you need to pay close attention to the nutritional information provided on the menu. That's because it's very easy to go overboard and drink too many carbs and sugar.

You're in luck if you're on a low-carb diet because Smoothie King has various low-carb selections. Carbohydrate content in a 20-ounce smoothie can range from 0 to 147 grams. Smaller amounts, as well as high-protein smoothies, tend to be lower in carbohydrates. There are many low-carb options among the Stay Slim Blends. 

Smoothie King wasn't always the healthiest option a few years ago, but they've since made significant adjustments to their smoothies, including removing added sugar from all but one of them. However, just because Smoothie King has almost completely eliminated added sugar does not imply that their entire menu is low carb or low sugar. In reality, most of their smoothies are still high in carbs and sugar. The main difference is that they're naturally sweetened with fruits, juice, and occasionally stevia.

Here are some other examples of smoothies you can try at Smoothie King if you have diabetes.

Gladiator Strawberry

Fruit and protein powder are blended to make the Gladiator strawberry smoothie. A 20-ounce portion has 220 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 4 grams of carbs, 45 grams of protein, and 370 milligrams of sodium. It's great for low-carb and low-fat diets. 

Please note that this nutrition data does not include the two additional ingredients that you may choose, so the nutrition data will vary depending on your choices. For a more nutrient-dense smoothie, add a vegetable or nut butter, which are both low in carbs. If you order a strawberry-flavored smoothie, be sure the preparer uses unsweetened strawberries for your safety. The reason for this is that if one component is missing, the cook may feel it's good to substitute another similar ingredient, but they don't realize you can't handle the increased sugar.

Slim-N-Trim Veggie

Fruit, ginger, leafy greens, protein, fiber, and juice make up the Slim-N-Trim veggie smoothie. It's high in fiber and protein yet low in fat and calories. A 20-ounce portion has 240 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 46 grams of carbs, 15 grams of protein, and 280 milligrams of sodium. It's worth noting that it's produced with a protein blend that includes eggs and milk, so it's not ideal for individuals who have an allergy or sensitivity to either.

It's worth noting that juice contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates by nature. By choosing a 100% juice with no added sugar, you can reduce your sugar and carb intake. Try substituting unsweetened almond milk or coconut water for juice to cut down on sugar.

The Shredder Vanilla

The Shredder Vanilla is a high-protein smoothie created with numerous protein powders and a "Diet Down" enhancer (green tea extract, L-Carnitine, 5-HTP, and other substances). A 20-ounce portion has 230 calories, 4 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 17 grams of carbs, 32 grams of protein, and 720 milligrams of sodium. It also has 25 milligrams of cholesterol and was made with eggs and milk.

Apple Kiwi Bunga

You'll find this smoothie on the Kids Blend menu at Smoothie King. The Apple Kiwi Bunga smoothie is the only one in the Kids Blend that is sugar-free. It also has the fewest calories while being fat- and cholesterol-free. A 20-ounce portion has 150 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 39 grams of carbs, 1 gram of protein, and 20 milligrams of sodium.

Bottom line

Smoothies may be nutritious meals or snacks made with whole foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and more, so it's no surprise that Smoothie King offers a variety of nutrient-dense selections.

However, certain menu items, such as frozen yogurt or ice cream, include added sugar, while others contain sweeteners such as stevia and turbinado. Calories, fat, carbs, salt, cholesterol, and added sugar are all high in some Smoothie King menu items. Stick to the Be Well Blends at Smoothie King if you want the most nutrient-dense alternative. Make sure you pay close attention to the nutritional information on the menu before ordering and opt for smoothies with low sugar or carb intake.