As a general rule, never add sweetened products to a smoothie, as this can increase the calorie count and sugar content without adding nutritional value. Other ingredients, such as nut butter or protein powder, may need to be limited, either because they are high in fat or increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects like bloating or diarrhea.

1. Processed Fruit Juice

Most fruit juices are naturally high in sugar. Those that are heavily processed have even higher sugar concentrations and are largely stripped of their fiber and nutritional value during pasteurization and filtration.

The worst are those to which sugar has been added, such as commercial fruit punches and cranberry cocktail drinks. Even 1/2 cup of Minute Maid Berry Punch can add 12 grams of sugar to an otherwise "he

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