Smoothie King's 5 New Drinks Are Aimed at GLP-1 Users

An estimated one in ten Americans have been on a GLP-1.

Some 12% — or about 1 in 8 — people living in the U.S. have tried a GLP-1 drug, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. And with that drug comes many dietary changes that need to be addressed. And Smoothie King is here to answer the call.

On Tuesday, Smoothie King announced that it's launching a new GLP-1 Support Menu specifically aimed at people using a GLP-1 agonist. "When developing this menu, it was important to offer blends with a thoughtful balance of nutrient-dense, high-protein, fiber-rich foods to support satiety and muscle mass," Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, and registered dietitian at Ochsner Health, who partnered with the brand in creating the menu, shared. "We were also mindful of sugar — each smoothie on the menu contains zero grams of added sugar."

While the smoothies do not contain added sugar, each of the new blends comes with at least 20 grams of protein. Smoothie King also noted each smoothie can assist in "hydration and better support individuals experiencing side effects often associated with GLP-1 medications."

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The flavors include the Gladiator GLP-1, which includes a choice of chocolate, vanilla, or Strawberry protein and a choice of two ingredients: almonds; almond butter, wild blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, organic ginger, kale, carrots, or spinach. The smoothie contains between 45-61 grams of protein and  2-14 grams of fiber.

Then there's the Slim N Trim GLP-1 Mango Greens, made with mangoes, greek yogurt, Califia Farms Almond Milk, Slim N Trim Blend, organic kale, ginger, and spinach. It comes with 22 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.

Next is the Keto Champ GLP-1, which is made with either Berry or Chocolate. The berry version includes Califia Farms Almond Milk, almond butter, blueberries, raspberries, Keto Protein Blend, and 100% cocoa, while the Chocolate version includes Califia Farms Almond Milk, almond butter, 100% cocoa, Keto Protein Blend, and stevia plant-based sweetener. Each comes with 24 grams of protein and 14-15 grams of fiber.

Then, there's the Activator Recovery GLP-1 Almond Berry, made with strawberries, blueberries, Califia Farms Almond Milk, coconut water, and Gladiator Protein Strawberry. It comes with 24 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.

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Finally, there's the Power Meal Slim GLP-1 in Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry, made with bananas, Califia Farms Almond Milk, and Power Slim Protein, with the chocolate flavor coming with the added 100% Cocoa. These come with 19-22 grams of protein and 6-10 grams of fiber.

"We know that every individual's path is different, and with the rising use of GLP-1 medications across the country and our customer base, we want to ensure that Smoothie King provides the nutritional resources to match," Wan Kim, the CEO of Smoothie King, shared. "Our smoothies are more than just a delicious treat — they're a power-packed meal on the go to help our guests stay on track with their goals."

And while it may seem like a gimmick, the smoothie line really does deliver on nutrition, especially for those on a GLP-1, according to Lisa Valente, a registered dietitian with Healthline.

"When people take GLP-1s they often have low appetite, and smoothies can be a great way to still get in nutrition because you can sip them slowly, even if you're not feeling that hungry," Valente shared. "Protein is a key nutrient for anyone, but especially for people losing weight on GLP-1s. You want to try and preserve as much muscle mass as possible, and protein helps do that. When appetite is low, eating a steak or chicken might not sound appealing, but smoothies with protein powder might."

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After taking a peek at the ingredient list, Valente said she spotted "antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, Greek yogurt, almonds — foods that are nutrient-dense that we should be eating more of to support our bodies." 

As for anyone experiencing the side effects that are often associated with a GLP-1, including nausea, Valente said smoothies are indeed a great option for getting in nutrients, protein, and fiber when you may not be able to stomach a full meal. Just be cautious about having too much of a good thing. "Depending on the size you order, some of these smoothies can be very high in fiber, with 14-15 grams per smoothie in the larger sizes, so it may be helpful to stick to the smaller sizes to not consume so much fiber at one time if you're already feeling a few GI symptoms," Valente added.

Raj Dasgupta, MD, and medical reviewer on the National Council of Aging, echoed these statements, noting that anyone on a GLP-1 medication should watch their "intake of fiber, sugar, and fats. Fiber keeps digestion regular, which helps with constipation that some people experience on these medications. Cutting down on sugar and responsibly managing cravings can help you better control blood sugar spikes. And since GLP-1s slow down digestion, eating too much fat at once can lead to bloating or nausea — smaller amounts of healthy fats, like avocado or nuts, are usually easier to handle."

Additionally, you don't have to be on a GLP-1 to enjoy these smoothies. However, Valente noted that they are "likely not going to be a full meal replacement at only about 200 calories for most, but maybe pairing them with something small or sipping them throughout the day when you don't have an appetite would be smart." Of course, as Valente noted, you can also replicate "a healthy, balanced smoothie at home using fruit, some greens, and protein powder with milk or non-dairy milk."