Why the need for Jamba Light™?

Over the years, we have always talked to customers to gain a better understanding of their lifestyle needs. Recently we introduced a smaller size as a direct result of customer demand. Another regular request has been to offer a lower calorie smoothie. Customers have asked us time and time again to provide more delicious options to suit a range of balanced diet needs.

Well, here we are today… proud to introduce our lower calorie category, Jamba Light. Each lower calorie smoothie provides the same wholesome fruit goodness, and great Jamba taste, but with 1/3 less calories than our regular smoothies.

How did you achieve the reduced calories and sugar?

The Jamba team spent over two years in our California R&D Lab to develop a delicious smoothie worthy of the Jamba Juice name and reputation for great taste. To reduce the sugar content, we removed the sherbet/sorbet/non-fat vanilla yogurt (depending on the product) as well as reduced the amount of fruit juice on average by 2/3. Then we added more fruit to keep the same great taste, as well as a proprietary low calorie smoothie base, which contains nourishing ingredients like non-fat milk, natural flavors, whey protein and Splenda.

The team investigated and tested many different sweeteners and selected Splenda, which is made from sugar so it tastes like sugar, with no unpleasant aftertaste. Although Splenda is made from sugar, the body does not recognize it as sugar or as a carbohydrate. It is not metabolized by the body, so it is calorie-free. When whipped up in blenders, the end product is a smoothie that is rich and creamy and still has all of the same great Jamba taste.

What’s the difference between Saccharin (Sweet ‘N Low®), Aspartame (Equal®) or any of the other high intensity sweeteners?

Sucralose is the only sweetener made from sugar and is touted as being the best tasting. So far it’s the strongest sweetener on the market, so you need much less of it than the others.

Saccharin was thought to be potentially carcinogenic for more than 2 decades. Recently the National Toxicology Board removed saccharin from its report on carcinogens, despite split decisions among the board’s panels. The debate continues.

Aspartame contains phenylalanine, an amino acid. The one proven problem with aspartame is phenylalanine can cause adverse affects in people with phenylketunoria, also know as PKU.

So is Splenda considered "natural"?

Sucralose falls into the category of being a non-nutritive sweetener. This means that since it is 600 times sweeter than sugar, usage levels are so low that it provides minimal amount of nutrients, which also includes calories. Even though it is made from sugar, sucralose goes through a multiple-step process that selectively substitutes three atoms of chlorine for three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule. This change in molecular structure categorizes sucralose as an artificial sweetener.

But if Splenda isn’t natural, why does Jamba feel comfortable including it in these smoothies?

We are passionate about our products and equally passionate about you - our customer. We strive to deliver the highest quality products and attempt to provide the most natural ingredients available.

Historically, we have never included artificial sweeteners in any of our ingredients because of our philosophy of promoting “real” food. Though this is true, Jamba is also trying to promote overall health consciousness. We continue to strive to adhere to Jamba’s goals, ideals and philosophies, however we realize that we need to, and should, provide choices for special dietary needs.

While Splenda is a sugar substitute, we felt it was the best sugar alternative for our lower calorie products because it is made from sugar. Splenda is not considered a “chemical ingredient” and therefore, does not require warning labels or statements like its competitors.

In an effort to provide the best tasting lower calorie smoothies, we believe our new Jamba Light category are the right product for Jamba and we hope you agree.

I hear Whole Foods Markets won't offer Enlightened Smoothies. Why? Do they consider them unhealthy?

Splenda is endorsed by the American Council of Science and Health and the American Dietetic Association, and has been subjected to one of the most extensive and thorough safety testing programs ever conducted on a food additive – more than 100 scientific studies over a 20-year period. Whole Foods Markets have a policy of selling only natural and minimally processed foods. Although Splenda is made from sugar, it does not meet these requirements and therefore is not allowed.

Is a smoothie really a healthy drink or a bunch of carbs, sugar and fat dressed up as "health"?

Yes, a Jamba Juice smoothie really is a healthy meal or snack. We provide nutrient-rich smoothies that give consumers a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, potassium, calcium and fiber. As with any product, consumers must be aware of what they put into their bodies and make choices that are right for them based on their dietary needs and exercise level. Because everyone has different energy or fuel requirements, we offer our customers a range of size options as well as different functional smoothies that range from reduced calorie and sugar to dairy-free to protein-rich – so customers can make the right selection based on their individual lifestyle. We also take great care at our stores to provide comprehensive nutritional information for every product.

Why so many carbs?

Our smoothies are made with 100% natural, real fruit - which is a simple and complex carbohydrate – and the good kind your body needs to burn for fuel. It’s not like the refined sugar you pour in your coffee, or the sugary frosting on a cake. Refined sugars are empty calories; unlike fruit, which provides energy for the body and is packed with vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of cancer and other disease. Active people need carbs for both their bodies and brains to function properly. Jamba smoothies are a quick way to add 3-4 servings* of fruit to your day in one quick, delicious meal or snack.

* based on a 24oz. Original size smoothie.

Tell us about your fruit. Is it fresh? Where does it come from?

All of Jamba’s suppliers pick fruit at its peak of perfection and within hours it is “individually quick frozen” (IQF). While it’s more expensive, the benefit of the IQF process is that it flash freezes the just-picked fruit – locking in all of the natural moisture, flavor and color, and the nutritional content is preserved exactly like fresh fruit.

Jamba procures fruit from nine different countries to ensure we source only the best quality fruit from the best growing regions – and our suppliers must meet Jamba’s strict quality and safety standards.