Bloating is a common digestive issue that can leave you feeling uncomfortable and bloated after eating or drinking. For some, smoothies from places like Jamba Juice can actually cause bloating due to their high sugar and calorie content. However, Jamba Juice does offer some lower sugar, ingredient-conscious options that may be less likely to cause bloating for some people.
What causes bloating?
Bloating is typically caused by:
- Swallowing air when eating or drinking
- Eating too fast
- Consuming too much fiber, fat, carbonation, or artificial sweeteners
- Food intolerances like lactose intolerance
- Imbalances in gut bacteria
- Medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Certain medications
- Hormonal changes
- Stress and anxiety
For some people, drinking a smoothie on an empty stomach or consuming ingredients they have sensitivities to can trigger bloating.
Do Jamba Juice smoothies commonly cause bloating?
Jamba Juice smoothies can potentially cause bloating due to:
- High sugar content – Jamba Juice smoothies can contain up to 112 grams of sugar in a 24 oz serving.
- Thick, frothy texture – The whipped consistency can incorporate air and be gas-forming.
- Fruit – Some people have sensitivities to high amounts of fructose from fruit.
- Dairy – Ingredients like yogurt and whey protein can cause issues if lactose intolerant.
- Vegetables – Cruciferous veggies like kale may provoke bloating.
- Sweeteners – Added sucrose, honey, and agave may cause bloating.
However, not all Jamba Juice smoothies have these bloat-provoking ingredients and characteristics. Choosing lower sugar, dairy-free options without cruciferous vegetables may be less likely to cause bloating.
Best Jamba Juice smoothie ingredients to avoid bloating
To reduce the chances of bloating from a Jamba Juice smoothie, consider avoiding:
- Added sugars like cane sugar, agave, and honey
- Dairy ingredients like yogurt, whey protein, and soft serve ice cream
- Cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, and cabbage
- Carbonated beverage mix-ins
- Excessive fruit content
- Artificial sweeteners for some people
Instead, choose smoothies with more bloat-friendly ingredients like:
- Bananas
- Berries
- Pineapple
- Citrus fruits
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Ginger
- Chia seeds
- Plant-based protein powder
These ingredients provide nutrients with less bloat-provoking fructose, FODMAPs, and compounds.
Top 6 low bloat Jamba Juice smoothie options
Here are some of the best Jamba Juice smoothies if you’re prone to bloating:
| Smoothie | Low Bloat Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Orange Dream Machine | Orange sherbet, orange juice, bananas |
| Caribbean Passion | Orange sherbet, pineapple, passionfruit juice, bananas |
| Berry Prickly Pear | Strawberries, pineapple, prickly pear juice |
| White Gummi | White gummy bears, bananas |
| Crimson Cashmere | Strawberries, bananas, vanilla soy milk |
| Aloha Pineapple | Pineapple juice, strawberries, bananas |
These smoothies avoid common bloat-inducing ingredients like dairy, cruciferous veggies, and excess sugar. Instead they focus on fruits and juices less likely to ferment and provoke gas, like pineapple, citrus, berries, and banana.
3 tips to customize a low bloat smoothie at Jamba Juice
You can also customize a smoothie order at Jamba Juice to make it less likely to cause bloating:
- Choose fruits like berries, pineapple, bananas, and citrus.
- Select non-dairy milk substitutes like almond, coconut, oat, or soy milk.
- Avoid added sugars and sweeteners by skipping syrups, honey, and agave.
Some other bloat-friendly customizations include:
- Adding ginger – may help reduce gas and bloating
- Boosting protein with plant-based protein powder
- Replacing cruciferous veggies like kale with spinach instead
- Going light on the juice or nixing it if sensitive to fructose
Focusing your custom smoothie on ingredients you tolerate well can make a big difference.
Smoothie alternatives for bloating at Jamba Juice
If most smoothies don’t agree with you, Jamba Juice has some non-smoothie options that may be lower in compounds that can cause bloating:
| Option | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Fit & Fruitful Bowl | Almond milk, bananas, blueberries, almond butter |
| Steel Cut Oatmeal | Steel cut oats, brown sugar, bananas, berries |
| 1933 Smoothies | Almond or coconut milk, honey, banana, ice |
| Chia Fruit and Yogurt Pudding | Coconut milk, chia seeds, strawberries |
| Avocado Toast | Smashed avocado, multi-grain bread |
These options avoid smoothie ingredients commonly linked to bloating. The bowls, oats, toast, and chia pudding provide more solid nutrition. The lighter 1933 smoothies have simpler ingredients.
Other tips to avoid bloating from Jamba Juice smoothies
Here are some other ways to prevent or reduce bloating from Jamba Juice smoothies:
- Size down to a 16 oz smoothie instead of 24 oz if you tend to bloat easily
- Avoid using a straw, which can cause you to swallow more air
- Sit down and sip your smoothie slowly rather than drinking quickly on the go
- Pair smoothies with something solid like oatmeal or avocado toast
- Look for probiotics like acacia gum or inulin on the menu for better digestion
- Ask for light ice to cut down on air incorporation during blending
Making some adjustments to how you select and enjoy smoothies can cut down on bloat. But overall, sticking to low sugar, dairy-free options without cruciferous veggies or excess fruit is key.
Conclusion
Bloating is a common concern with smoothies, especially thicker, frothier varieties like those at Jamba Juice. Choosing options made with bloat-friendly ingredients like bananas, citrus, pineapple, and spinach can help reduce the chances of issues. Avoiding dairy, heavy sugar, cruciferous veggies, and excess juice is also important. With the right smoothie ingredients and drinking habits, you can feel nourished rather than bloated after a Jamba Juice smoothie.
