Jamba Juice has been around for near 30 years and has been influencing the world of smoothies. Although the brand started primarily selling smoothies they have expanded the Jamba Juice menu to include more options such as breakfast, baked goods, and artisan breads. Jamba Juice also offers plant-based options and no-sugar-added options on their menu.
Even with better-for-you options, there are choices on the menu that just aren't healthy. So the next time you're heading to Jamba Juice, opt for one of the "best" choices on the Jamba Juice menu listed below.
The 6 best smoothies on the Jamba Juice menu (and the worst).
Jamba Juice's menu features three categories of smoothies: classic, plant-based, and power. The classic smoothies often include high-sugar ingredients like sherbet and frozen yogurt. Plant-based smoothies are free of any dairy and feature whole-food ingredients. The power smoothies contain protein powders and are great post-workout drinks. We're featuring options from all categories.
BEST: Strawberries Wild
Per small (16 oz): 240 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 50 mg sodium, 57 g carbs (2 g fiber, 47 g sugar), 3 g protein
This combination of apple strawberry juice blend, fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt, strawberries, and bananas provides good-for-you nutrients like folate and vitamin C from the strawberries and potassium from the banana. There is also some protein from the fro-yo, which also contains live and active cultures- some which may act as probiotics or good tummy bacteria.
BEST: Mega Mango
Per small (16 oz): 210 calories, 0.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 10 mg sodium, 50 g carbs (3 g fiber, 45 g sugar), 2 g protein
This plant-based smoothie is made from orange juice, pineapple juice, mangos, and strawberries. The sugar is natural from the fruit, and with those fruit comes a variety of nutrients including 230% the daily recommended amount of the antioxidant vitamin C and 80% of the antioxidant vitamin A.
BEST: Strawberry Whirl
Per small (16 oz): 210 calories, 0.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 15 mg sodium, 51 g carbs (4 g fiber, 38 g sugar), 3 g protein
This plant-based smoothie is made from an apple strawberry juice blend, strawberries, and bananas. The majority of sugars come from the natural fruit and fruit juice. This smoothie provides 120% of your daily recommended amount of the antioxidant vitamin C, 30% the recommended daily amount of manganese, and it's a good source of iodine, magnesium, and folate.
BEST: Peach Perfection
Per small (16 oz): 210 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 25 mg sodium, 51 g carbs (3 g fiber, 44 g sugar), 2 g protein
This plant-based smoothie is whipped together with peach juice blend, mangos, peaches, apple strawberry juice blend, and strawberries. It's also an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins A and C. You certainly will get some natural sugar from the fruit, but a small size is certainly the way to go.
BEST: Pomegranate Paradise
Per small (16 oz.): 220 calories, 0.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 15 mg sodium, 54 g carbs (3 g fiber, 46 g sugar), 2 g protein
This plant-based smoothie is made with pomegranate juice blend, mangos, strawberries, and peaches. The gorgeous red hue coming from the polyphenols in the pomegranate juice which have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.
BEST: Matcha Green Tea Blast
Per small (16 oz.): 270 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 130 mg sodium, 56 g carbs (1 g fiber, 51 g sugar), 8 g protein
This classic smoothie is made from soy milk, fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt, and matcha green tea. The protein is higher than other smoothies because of the soy milk. You'll also get matcha, made from ground green tea leaves, which is a potent source of cell-protecting antioxidants. Plus, it will also provide a boost of caffeine.
The unhealthiest smoothies at Jamba Juice.
WORST: Peanut Butter Moo'd
Per large (28 oz): 910 calories, 28 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 420 mg sodium, 144 g carbs (7 g fiber, 119 g sugar), 29 g protein
This classic smoothie is made with fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt, soy milk, chocolate moo'd dairy base, bananas, and peanut butter. Although the majority of the individual ingredients are rather healthy, blend them together in a 28-ounce cup and you get the amount of carbs found in close to 10 slices of bread!
WORST: Orange Dream Machine
Per large (28 oz): 550 calories, 2.5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 160 mg sodium, 120 g carbs (0 g fiber, 111 g sugar), 9 g protein
This classic smoothie is made with orange juice, orange sherbet, soy milk, and fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt. It also has about the same amount of calories you should be eating in an entire meal—but without any veggies.
WORST: PB Chocolate Love
Per large (28 oz): 760 calories, 33 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 350 mg sodium, 105 g carbs (7 g fiber, 74 g sugar), 21 g protein
This power smoothie is made with chocolate moo'd dairy base, reduced-fat milk, bananas, and peanut butter. The amount of sugar found in this smoothie is equivalent to 26 teaspoons of sugar. Even though some of the sugar is natural, it is still way more than necessary.
WORST: PB + Banana Protein
Per large (28 oz): 810 calories, 33 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 370 mg sodium, 89 g carbs (3 g fiber, 68 g sugar), 42 g protein
This power smoothie is made from reduced-fat milk, bananas, peanut butter, whey protein, and honey. The amount of artery-clogging saturated fat in the large size is 45-percent of the daily recommended maximum.
WORST: White Gummi
Per large (28 oz): 590 calories, 4 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 120 mg sodium, 135 g carbs (1 g fiber, 122 g sugar), 4 g protein
This breakfast smoothie combines peach juice blend, pineapple sherbet, soy milk, lime sherbet, orange sherbet, mangos, and raspberry sherbet. The sherbet contributes lots of added sugar, making the whopping 122 grams of total sugar equivalent to over 30 teaspoons of granulated sugar.
WORST: Acai Super Anti-oxidant
Per large (28 oz): 540 calories, 7 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 125 mg sodium, 110 g carbs (6 g fiber, 87 g sugar), 10 g protein
This power smoothie is made with soy milk, acai blend, strawberries, blueberries, raspberry sherbet, daily vitamin, and zinc boost. The sugar in this smoothie comes from both added and natural sources, and is way over a reasonable limit. Plus, if you're eating a well-balanced diet there is no need for a daily vitamin, especially if you tend to drink this beverage regularly.
The best juice on the Jamba Juice menu (and the worst).
While you'd think that Jamba Juice would have a diverse offering of its namesake, there are actually only three options to choose from. We picked the best and worst.
BEST: Purely Carrot
Per small (16 oz): 190 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 330 mg sodium, 45 g carbs (13 g fiber, 22 g sugar), 4 g protein
This juice is made from fresh carrots and nothing more. The sugar is 100% natural (from the carrots) and there's a whopping 52% of the daily recommended amount of fiber. This juice also provides 1,580% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A!
WORST: Purely Orange
Per large (28 oz): 390 calories, 1.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 10 mg sodium, 90 g carbs (2 g fiber, 73 g sugar), 6 g protein
This fresh orange juice is an overall healthy choice, but over 8 ounces is really a larger portion than necessary. At 390 calories, the large-sized orange juice has the same amount of calories you should be getting in your entire balanced breakfast.
The best bowl on the Jamba Juice menu (and the worst).
If you'd prefer to eat your smoothie with a spoon, opt for a bowl. These Jamba Juice menu items are topped with an array of your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, shredded coconut, or granola.
BEST: Vanilla Blue Sky
Per bowl (384 g): 330 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 85 mg sodium, 62 g carbs (8 g fiber, 33 g sugar), 6 g protein
The base of this bowl is made from bananas, pineapples, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla coconut milk, and blue spirulina and topped with organic granola, strawberries, blueberries, coconut chips, goji berries, and sliced almonds. Overall, it makes for a well-balanced breakfast with fruits, grains, and some protein. If you want to up your protein, add on whey or soy protein.
WORST: Chunky Strawberry
Per bowl (568 g): 580 calories, 16 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 135 mg sodium, 94 g carbs (11 g fiber, 50 g sugar), 21 g protein
The base of this bowl is made with soy milk, nonfat Greek yogurt, and peanut butter and topped with bananas, organic granola, and strawberries. The calories are a little higher providing 29% of your daily calories (based on 2,000 calorie diet). If you want to enjoy this bowl as a meal, lighten it up by asking for slightly less granola and halve the amount of bananas.
The 3 best breakfast bites on the Jamba Juice menu (and the worst).
Fruit drinks and bowls aren't the only breakfast items you can get at Jamba Juice. The smoothie chain also offers breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and bites.
BEST: Roasted Tomato, Spinach, and Feta Breakfast Sandwich
Per sandwich (127 g): 240 calories, 8 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 550 mg sodium, 30 g carbs (4 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 11 g protein
Made with a vegetable egg white patty, bistro bun, roasted tomatoes, Neufchatel cheese, spinach, and feta cheese, this breakfast sandwich features four food groups – protein, vegetables, dairy, and carbs – for a very reasonable amount of calories. You'll also be getting 16% of the daily recommended amount of fiber to help keep you satisfied.
BEST: Spinach and Cheese Breakfast Wrap
Per sandwich (151 g): 240 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 590 mg sodium, 30 g carbs (3 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 15 g protein
This grab-and-go wrap is made with scrambled egg whites, whole wheat tortilla, spinach, mozzarella cheese, asiago cheese spread, and caramelized onions. It provides a good balance of four food groups. It also has a nice combo of fiber, fat, and protein to keep you feeling satiated until your next meal or snack.
BEST: Bacon, Roasted Tomato, Spinach and Feta Breakfast Sandwich
Per sandwich (129 g): 250 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 600 mg sodium, 30 g carbs (4 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 12 g protein
A little bacon goes a long way, especially if it's nitrite-free. Add to it a vegetable egg white patty, bistro bun, roasted tomatoes, Neufchatel cheese, spinach, and feta cheese and you've got yourself a balanced meal with a reasonable amount of saturated fat (only 15% of the daily recommended maximum). Neufchatel cheese used in many breakfast sandwiches, like this one, is a spreadable cheese (similar to cream cheese) but is rather low in fat making it a healthier choice.
The worst breakfast items on the Jamba Juice menu.
WORST: Sourdough Parmesan Pretzel
Per pretzel (141 g): 420 calories, 11 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 690 mg sodium, 69 g carbs (3 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 12 g protein
This carb fest has as many carbs as approximately 4½ slices of bread! You'll get some protein from the Parmesan cheese, but for the 29% of the daily recommended maximum of sodium and with the same calories as an entire meal it's one to skip.
WORST: Apple Cinnamon Pretzel
Per pretzel (141 g): 390 calories, 4.5 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 290 mg sodium, 78 g carbs (3 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 9 g protein
Made with dehydrated apples, applesauce, and natural apple flavor, this combo of carbs and fruit leaves much to be desired. There are more calories in this pretzel and close to triple the carbs than a Whopper Jr. from Burger King.
WORST: Sweet Belgian Waffle
Per waffle (70 g): 310 calories, 15 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 290 mg sodium, 39 g carbs (1 g fiber, 19 g sugar), 5 g protein
This waffle contains nutrients you want to minimize: sugar and saturated fat. Sugar is listed as the second ingredient and contributes a majority of the grams of sugar. Plus, the waffle provides 40% of the daily recommended maximum for saturated fat. If you really must have a waffle, then make it a once-in-a-while snack and split it with a friend.
