Don't Love Veggies? Drink 'Em in Disguise!

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With hectic schedules in full swing, many busy Americans may struggle to eat the recommended 5-7 servings of vegetables a day. Planet Smoothie serves up a healthy solution with three new VEGGIE LOVE smoothies – jam-packed with veggies, yet so delicious, you can't taste the combination of kale, spinach, carrots or beet root. The VEGGIE LOVE line is the company's latest weapon in the "Smoothie Wars" – a surging $2 billion-a-year sector that grew more than 80 percent in the past 5 years.*

"VEGGIE LOVE smoothies are a solution for Americans who don't have the time or don't even like to eat the recommended amount of daily vegetables they need each day to stay healthy," says Donna Smith, VP of Marketing at Planet Smoothie. "We blend in sweet fruit to mask the earthy taste of greens, carrots and beet root so customers drink nutritious veggies without even tasting them! Plus, by blending, we keep the fiber that juicing strips away so customers stay fuller, longer." 

Veggie Tale of Nutrition

Veggie Love smoothies include:

• Just Beet It – beet root powder (made of 100% ground beet root), bananas, frozen yogurt, non-fat milk, peanut butter

Beets are a hot, new food trend! Since 2005, beets have more than doubled on menus and, in the past year, have seen a 30% growth on restaurant menus (Datassential)

• A 22-ounce smoothie equals 44% recommended daily intake of fruit for men of all ages
• A 16-ounce smoothie is the equivalent of three beets

Health Benefits of Beets:

• Cleanse the body by working as a purifier for blood 
• Help lower cholesterol and increases blood flow to the brain
• Good source of magnesium for healthier bones
• Improve athletes' endurance  and stamina

• 24 Carrot Mango-ld – shredded carrots, mangos and strawberries

Carrots have seen a 26% increase on restaurant menus since 2005 (Datassential)

• A 22-ounce smoothie has 60-75% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of veggies for women and 50-60% of the RDI of veggies for men

Health Benefits of Carrots:

• Help us hydrate all year long as we fill up on water-rich veggies, such as carrots, made up of 87% water
• May help reduce risk of lung, colon and breast cancer
• Beta-carotene (a naturally occurring pigment found in plants that gives carrots their orange color) acts as an antioxidant to cell damage and slows down cell aging
• Prevent premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes and uneven skin tone
• Assist liver in flushing out toxins

• Lean Green Extreme – pineapples, mangoes, bananas, leafy greens and Planet Pro® Veg Protein

Mango is a flavor on 21% of beverage menus nationwide (Datassential)

• Includes a blend of leafy greens, such as kale, Swiss chard and spinach
• A 22-ounce smoothie equals 20% RDI of fruit for women over age 30

Health benefits of Lean Green Extreme: 

• Includes nutrients from both fruits and veggies and 12 grams of protein
• Kale is high in fiber and iron that helps the immune system, metabolism and hydration while helping to lower cholesterol and may protect against certain cancers
• Spinach lowers blood pressure, may help protect against risk of cancer and improves bone health

"Smoothies are one of the largest and fastest growing beverage segments with sales expected to increase 25% in the next three years," says Smith. "With so many Americans on the go, we've added these veggies so smoothies are truly a healthy meal replacement filled with nutrients and antioxidants that many don't have time to include in meals they cook or eat at home. We're encouraging our customers to try the new VEGGIE LOVE line and to add carrots, beet root powder and leafy greens to any of our 35 plus flavors of smoothies."

About Planet Smoothie

Planet Smoothie, intent on redefining the smoothie category, was founded in 1995 and is among the country's top smoothie concepts.  The brand appeals to a demographic of loyal, active and occasion-driven customers who want to live a healthier lifestyle.  Planet Smoothie offers real fruit smoothies with lower calorie, lower sugar, and higher protein options, giving customers a quick, portable snack or meal replacement.  Planet Smoothie's menu is organized into lifestyle categories to assist customers in finding the smoothie that helps them to achieve their personal goals, including protein, energy, and Lite categories. In 2011, Planet Smoothie was acquired by Tasti D-Lite LLC, the lower calorie frozen dessert chain.  The acquisition allows both brands to broaden product offerings, improve retail sales and accelerate unit growth through cobranding initiatives. Planet Smoothie currently operates 110 locations in 18 states.  For more information, please visit www.planetsmoothie.com.

Media Contacts:

Sue Yannello, [email protected], 919.459.8162
Stacey Hilton, [email protected], 919.459.8163

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140908/144120

SOURCE Planet Smoothie