New Skinny on Smoothies

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Health conscious Americans craving low calorie meals and snacks often reach for a smoothie without realizing these tasty drinks can have a lot of sugar and calories. That's why Planet Smoothie, one of the nation's longest standing smoothie chains, has launched PLANET LITE – a new line of 10 delicious smoothies with fewer than 300 calories. The PLANET LITE 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.*

"Smoothies are one of the largest and fastest growing beverage segments, so we're thrilled to announce the addition of our PLANET LITE line to our permanent menu for consumers who want great tasting, lower calorie options," says Donna Smith, VP of Marketing at Planet Smoothie. "We know the calories in these delicious drinks can add up. With PLANET LITE, we have answered Americans' craving for low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol, on-the-go meals and snacks that taste great with real ingredients for a healthier lifestyle."

Secret Sweetener

All of the new PLANET LITE 22-ounce smoothies are sweetened with the company's proprietary LeanLeaf sweetener, made from a blend of agave and stevia, two of the sweetest plants on the planet. The sweetener is anywhere from 40 – 300 times sweeter than sucrose, the chief component of sugar, making the PLANET LITE smoothies taste great with fewer calories and a lower sugar content than most competitors.

Consumers can also request add-ins to the PLANET LITE line with healthy, trending ingredients like leafy greens (Swiss chard, kale and spinach) and/or supplements of vitamins and proteins to increase energy and burn fat.  

New PLANET LITE Line:
New, "Skinny" Sensations

• 2 Piece Bikini – strawberries, bananas, vanilla, nonfat milk and fat burner blast supplement
• Crazy Bee – mangos, strawberries, honey and a multivitamin supplement
• Leapin' Lizard – peaches, strawberries and fat burner blast supplement
• Lunar Lemonade – strawberry or raspberry, lemonade, bananas and fat burner blast supplement
• Mediterranean Monster – strawberries, bananas, splash of orange juice and fat burner blast supplement
• Pina Colada – banana or strawberry, coconut, pineapples, nonfat milk, vanilla, fat burner blast supplement
• Strawberry Aphrodite – strawberries, bananas, Greek yogurt
• Screamsicle – pineapples, peaches, orange juice, frozen yogurt, orange sherbet, multivitamin or immunity supplement.

"Some people don't come near the suggested daily requirements of fruits and veggies each day because they don't like them, or they don't have time to shop for and cook with them," says Smith. "The PLANET LITE line and the add-ins are an easy way to improve your diet in a delicious tasting drink that doesn't require much effort or planning."

*Smoothie Statistics Report, 2012

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.

Sue Yannello, [email protected], 919.459.8162

SOURCE Planet Smoothie