Best & Worst Drinks at Smoothie King

Not everything with a healthy-sounding name is actually good for you — and some of the worst offenders are hiding in plain sight. Here’s what to order, what to skip, and a wild surprise for pickle lovers. Because you deserve to make healthy choices where you are!

SKIP THESE

Hulk Series (e.g. Hulk Strawberry)
Built on a butter pecan ice cream base — this is a dessert dressed up as a smoothie. Loaded with calories and added sugar, it’s the most obvious one to avoid.

❌ Ice cream base | ❌ Extreme added sugar | ❌ Very high calorie

Pineapple Surf
Sounds tropical and healthy — it’s not. The 20 oz rings in at 410 calories, 96g carbs, and 83g of sugar, with 37g of that being added sugar. A classic wolf in sheep’s clothing.

410 cal / 20 oz | ❌ 83g sugar | ❌ 37g added sugar | ❌ 96g carbs

The lesson: “Tropical” and “surf” branding doesn’t equal healthy. Always check the added sugar number — natural fruit sugar is one thing, but 37g of added sugar in a single drink wipes out most of your daily budget in one sip.

ORDER THESE

Gladiator Chocolate Espresso
Part of the Gladiator series — the gold standard for high-protein, low-sugar smoothies. Rich protein base, zero added sugar, and enough caffeine to actually count as a pre-workout.

✅ 45–61g protein | ✅ 0g added sugar | ✅ High fiber

Original High Protein Banana
Simple, clean ingredients. High protein, balanced macros, and low sugar. A solid everyday option that won’t send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster.

✅ High protein | ✅ Low sugar | ✅ Balanced macros

Gladiator GLP-1 (Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry)
Developed with registered dietitians. Choose two mix-ins from almonds, kale, blueberries, spinach, raspberries, or ginger. Built for satiety and muscle support.

✅ 45–61g protein | ✅ 0g added sugar | ✅ 2–14g fiber | 220–560 cal

Slim N Trim GLP-1 Mango Greens
Mangoes, Greek yogurt, almond milk, kale, ginger, and spinach — only 200 calories with solid protein and fiber. One of the most nutrient-dense options on the menu.

✅ 22g protein | ✅ 0g added sugar | 200 cal | ✅ 5g fiber

Keto Champ GLP-1 (Berry or Chocolate)
Almond milk base with almond butter, cocoa, and Keto Protein Blend. No added sugar, exceptionally high fiber, and designed to keep you full.

✅ 24g protein | ✅ 0g added sugar | ✅ 14–15g fiber

Gladiator GLP-1 Strawberry Berry
Strawberries, wild blueberries, almond milk, and coconut water with Gladiator Strawberry protein. Light, fruity, and legitimately nutritious — not just marketing.

✅ 24g protein | ✅ 0g added sugar | 200 cal | ✅ 5g fiber

Pro tip: Smoothie King does offer “enhancer” add-ins for fat burning — but many haven’t been independently reviewed for long-term safety. Stick to whole-food add-ins like almond butter, kale, or ginger to boost nutrition without the uncertainty.

🥒 The Pickle Drop — for the brave and the brined

Smoothie King just launched a limited-edition Smoothie King x Grillo’s Pickles Smoothie — real Grillo’s pickles blended with bananas, organic kale, coconut water, apple juice, and an electrolyte blend. Zero added sugar, no artificial ingredients, and early tasters say it actually works. Available now for $5.99 / 20 oz while supplies last. We are absolutely trying it.

Easy-to-follow ebook

Want more easy meals like this?

If you love simple, real-food grocery finds like these, I put together my 101+ Easy Healthy Recipes ebook — designed to make healthy eating feel effortless, even on busy weeks. Inside, you’ll get: