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Popular with gym-goers, parents and healthy eaters on-the-go, Smoothie King is in strip malls from coast to coast, offering a better-for-you alternative for Americans who want to avoid McDonald’s and Taco Bell.

In good news for vegan eaters drinkers, the chain has released three new, plant-based options. These vegan “Wellness Blends” feature all-natural ingredients, and range in calories from 300 to 440 for a 20 ounce serving.

Here’s the deets on each blend:

• The new, Nutty Super Grain smoothie is made with Sunwarrior® Raw Plant-Based Protein, almond milk, peanut butter, super grains, 100% cocoa, apple juice and bananas. It’s 440 calories for a 20 ounce smoothie.
• The Mango Kale smoothie is made with Sunwarrior® Raw Plant-Based Protein, kale, mango juice blend, bananas, apple juice and almonds. It’s 300 calories for a 20 ounce smoothie.
• The Dark Chocolate Banana smoothie is made with Sunwarrior® Raw Plant-Based Protein, 100% cocoa, bananas and acai sorbet. It’s 320 calories for a 20 ounce smoothie.

The Mango Kale and the Dark Chocolate Banana were released late last year, and the Nutty Super Grain is a newer addition.

“The vegan smoothies are actually in the top 10 smoothies sold at Smoothie King now, which is why the company decided to launch a third,” a company rep told Latest Vegan News.

“Statistics show a growing interest in plant-based diets among all consumers, both vegan and non-vegan,” said Wan Kim, owner and CEO of Smoothie King in a press release. “By introducing these new menu options, we are catering to guests who seek plant-based protein in their diets.  Our goal is to provide them with quick, easy and tasty ways to get the nutrition they crave on-the-go.”

The chain’s addition of the new options is yet another example of veganism making it into the mainstream! Vegan smoothies at Smoothie King are a step in the right direction, offering an easy way for people to eat more plants and avoid unhealthy fast food options.

As Sunwarrior’s National Sales Manager Jerry Burt also added in the press release: “It used to be that vegan protein was only of interest to hardcore vegans and vegetarians. Now we see a wider group of people – fitness enthusiasts, health conscious parents, teens and baby boomers – who are incorporating plant-based meals into their daily lives. Replacing just one meal per day with a plant-based option can have long lasting health benefits. The fact that these smoothies taste great makes it even better.”

Amen to that.

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