Product Review: Starbucks Vivanno Chocolate Banana

The people from Starbucks asked me a few weeks ago if I'd be willing to try and review their new Vivanno energy drink. It was a tough decision for me, as I'm not a Starbucks customer. I try to drink fair trade coffee when I can, and patronize local places, and when I do go for a chain it's usually not Starbucks because it just tastes too acidic and bitter and just over-roasted to me. My kids love the hot chocolate, so I do go with them in the winter, but if left to my own devices I wouldn't go to Starbucks.

I am a fan of the whole smoothie genre, though, and know that Starbucks is a wonderfully ubiquitous option for so many of us when we're already in a hurry, so I thought I'd try a Vivanno. There are two varieties, the mango banana, and the chocolate banana. Of course I chose the chocolate.

The ingredients are surprisingly low-tech: chocolate, whey protein powder, fiber powder, a banana, and milk. The taste was good, although I don't love the sort of flat taste whey protein powder has. And I realized I was also missing some greens! I've gotten so used to just shoving a handfull of raw baby spinach into every smoothie I make now that I've completely gotten used to the brightness it adds.

The real issue is that if you can't consume dairy, then this is absolutely not the product for you. But for people who can eat dairy, pass by Starbucks when they need something without a lot of nasty ingredients, or want a coffee in one hand and breakfast in the other, this works. (And is better for you than a Jamba Juice is, for sure.)

I make a better smoothie in my own kitchen. If you'd like to know how I'd do a chocolate banana smoothie with protein, here it is:

• banana
• handful of almonds (if you can eat nuts)
• big handful of raw baby spinach
• some Dutch process cocoa powder
• some greens powder (skip if you're squeamish)
• ice
• liquid of your choice (milk, soy milk, rice milk, water, dark rum)

Blend until smooth. (You can put the first 5 things in the blender the night before and just leave the blender jar in the refrigerator overnight, then pop in the ice and liquid in the morning. To clean the blender, just rinse it around with warm water--you probably don't need to take it apart.)

If you don't have the time/energy/blender to do your own morning smoothies, though, check out the Vivanno and see if it fits your needs.

Any other mass-market breakfast options that are reasonably healthy?

Comments

[Shannon]

I love, love, LOVE Starbucks and end up going there every single day. But I tried a free sample of that Viviano and thought it was gross.

[Moxie]

Which one did you try? The chocolate or the mango-banana? Do you normally like whey powder?

[Shannon]

Sorry if I sound decidedly uncultured here, but I can't say for sure that I know what whey powder tastes like. The only thing I know about whey is that it appears in the nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet," and I think that refers to cottage cheese.

I thought the texture of the Viviano was gross. I tried the chocolate banana one, BTW.

[Jezer]

Dark rum--hee.

I like to throw some frozen chopped spinach into my smoothies--kills the ice bird and the spinach bird with one stone.

I haaaaaate whey powder. I don't believe that we need nearly as much protein in our diets as the weight-loss industry would like for us to consume. Just my completely non-expert opinion, though.

[rudyinparis]

Well, this seems like an appropriate time to thank you for the quinoa-with-trail-mix for breakfast idea you gave me several months back. I'm obsessed! It's delicious power food, and I would never have thought of it, so thanks so much. You earned your donation with that alone.

[Moxie]

Shannon, that's it. It's kind of a flat texture. (Also, "uncultured" about whey powder--hee.)

Go, quinoa, go!

[caramama]

You lost me at banana. I can't stand bananas, even a hint.

But I totally agree with "it just tastes too acidic and bitter and just over-roasted to me." That is exactly how I feel about Starbucks and why I don't ever go there on purpose.

BTW Moxie, we've started buying fair trade, organic coffee. Not only do I feel so much better for having made the switch, but the brands we've been buying taste really good! Way better than the "gourmet" brands we were buying before! Thanks for opening my eyes to the fair trade issue, too.

[Julie]

I happened to be in a Starbucks when they were passing out free samples. They do make both smoothies with soy milk if you cannot have dairy (at least here in CA). I did not taste either one, as I also do not enjoy banana except in its natural form (pure yellow and no brown spots thankyouverymuch)....but watched customers comment that the soy milk tasted pretty good.

[stacy]

@Jezer: What a fabulous idea with the frozen spinach! I've always had trouble getting greens into my smoothies because spinach goes bad so quickly. What a simple, elegant solution I'd never consider on my own. Light bulb moment :)

I've had the Vivanno and I liked the taste of it very much. But it didn't sit well in my stomach afterward. I'm not sure why; I don't have problems with dairy, usually. I may try it again to see if it was a fluke, but I'm in no rush.

I love Starbucks. Not their regular coffee - it tastes bitter and burnt, definitely - and not their Frapps that leave a waxy chocolate-sugar residue on my tongue and have about a month's worth of calories. But I love their lattes. At $4 a pop I'm not buying them often these days (once a week if Starbucks is lucky!), but I would drink half a dozen of them by lunchtime if I could!

I know, we're living in a Post-Starbucks world and we're supposed to regard them as an unenlightened mega-corporation (mitigated a bit by their good health insurance, but still). But I've never found a place with a latte as consistently good as Starbucks. And it is my favorite vice, I won't lie. Most local coffee shops, as much as I'd like to support them in theory, either make the thing too hot or get the milk/espresso ratio all wrong. Even other chains, like Seattle's Best and Caribou, can't match the Starbucks latte for me.

[Nick]

Jezer and Stacy-- have you tried freezing the bananas for smoothies? There's no way I'll ever bake banana bread in the summertime, so I freeze those old bananas and use them for smoothies. Actually, any fruit that is starting to turn and won't get eaten lands in the freezer for future smoothies.

[carmie]

I really love their mochas, as I find most other coffee shops' mochas way too sweet. But I seldom go because of money & consumer principles...usually I make cafe con leche at home with a spoonful of unsweetened cocoa powder and it's kind of the same.

I wouldn't be surprised if the whey protein in the Vivanno smoothies had milk protein in it, for those dairy-sensitive folks among us.

[G's Momma]

@Stacy
I agree. The lattes are the best. I too would drink them all the time if I could afford them. My substitute these days has been my Tassimo with store bought Starbucks flavoring. Not exactly the same but it is good enough.

If they have the soy version of this drink by us, I will get one for my daughter. She is a smoothie queen. I make them for her with her soy yogurt and V8 Splash (supposedly it counts for a vegetable serving) and whatever fruit I have on hand. She is like me in that she would drink her entire diet if she could. We just aren't food people.

[Ann]

@G's Momma
V8 Splash in smoothies ! Great idea. I use fresh OJ but have been wondering how to get bear to drink the V8 ! She Loves Smoothies.
My recipe: Frozen mixed berries (I hate bananas), OJ, whatever yogurt I have. Keep meaning to start adding protein powder too.

[heather]

My homemade smoothie recipe is silken tofu, yougurt, orange juice, fruit, and depending how those ingredients taste, lemon juice and/or honey. It's light and filling, perfect for hot days or if I have something physical (like biking to work) planned for post-breakfast.

[Tzipporah]

Actually, any fruit that is starting to turn and won't get eaten lands in the freezer for future smoothies.

(Smacks head)
Now why didn't I think of that?? Thank goodness for Moxie and her brilliant commenters...

[Mrs. Higrens]

Whey-based protein powder was pretty nasty in my home smoothies (as in I threw out a 97% full tub because there was no way we were ever going to use it again after the first batch we tasted).
The Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Smoothie King chains offer the choice of whey or soy protein powders. I can't say I've ever noticed the soy at all in those.

(I don't eat breakfast out so no suggestions there.)

[Miriam]

I have to admit I'm a Starbucks latte junkie too. And it may not balance out the fair-trade issue, but I've always admired the fact that Starbucks offers insurance to their employees starting at only 20 hours a week, AND they insure same-sex partners. If only more mega-corporations would follow suit...

[sheSaid]

So moxie any other smoothie recipes? I would really like to up the greens in my diet and really enjoy smoothies... but I end up just doing strawberry banana all the time.

[Simone]

Love that you've added dark rum as one of the liquid options. BTW, have you ever tried darm rum in hot tea (just the regular ol' Lipton will do!). Just toss in a little sugar and you're good to go. Grew up on it. (Literally...in Germany this is nothing new).

I'm not much of a fan of the store-bought grab & go smoothies, only because I haven't done the research of which ones are really good for you and which aren't. (So Jamba Juice isn't good, huh? See, I didn't know that.) But I DO love to make my own at home for when we've got to get out the door with breakfast in hand. It's so easy. I swear by my Magic Bullet--makes just the right amount for the 4yo and me. We're simple (haven't braved any of the additives yet): 1 frozen banana (love Costco for stocking up), a few frozen strawberries, couple cubes of ice, a splash of OJ, some milk/soy milk, maybe a little yogurt, then whatever else we have on hand. Cantaloupe? Sure! Blueberries? Definitely! All the fiber of real fruit, none of the icky stuff, and it's just as portable (and way cheaper).

[bandwidow]

In the winter I enjoy instant oatmeal with hemp seed sprinkled on top.

If I'm working, a hard boiled egg and multi grain toast work well. These are the only two things in the cafeteria that I will touch in the morning.

Call me old fashioned, but a good hearty bread made into toast with some fruit and a cup of black coffee meet my needs. We pay the extra for fair trade coffee and just drink it at home. I work in the same building as a Starbucks, but unfortunately it's a twenty minute wait for coffee unless it's in the evenings. To pick it up on the way isn't an option.

Also, I live in Canada... so our big thing here in the mornings is Tim Hortons fare. Some days it's a half hour wait for the drive-thru. I'd rather spend that time sipping my coffee in the morning and checking emails or kissing babies goodbye ;), or enjoying some organic-local grown/produced bread. I probably spend the same on good organic coffee as I would using the fuel to get coffee.

[Salexuel]

Sorry to add so late, but for those quinoa lovers out there, try cooking it in half milk/half water. After it's done, add some frozen berries (I've been using raspberries), 1/4 tsp of cinnamon, and some honey or agave nectar. Tasty, nutritious breakfast that reheats like a charm.

[dot]

A question, Moxie: have you thought about leaving the whole blender of goodness in the freezer the night before, and eliminating the ice?
dot

[liz]

thank you miriam! i went to work at a starbuckles (after working for a hip little indie roaster that treated me like poo)...and although i wrestled with the idea of going corporate, there is nothing quite like health insurance when you've a little one to watch over. i think its easy for people to preach about fair trade, but there is a lot to be said for being treated decently at your place of employment. besides, if you believe the corporate responsibility claims of the bux, they employ a third party to ensure the beans they are purchasing come from sustainable, socially and environmentally conscience farms.

my suggestion for the vivanno is to make it with soy, add a shot if you're getting the chocolate banana, and request none of the whey/fiber powder added in the drink.

[S. Marie]

Total smoothie family -mostly because we are surrounded by fresh fruit year round.

For the kiddo - we make high fat smoothies since she is under 2 and very thin: whole milk, whole yogurt, avocado. Yes, AVOCADO.

We also usually save a few cooked veggies from dinner to add to the morning smoothie, which like Moxie, we prep the night before in the blender, but whir in the morning.

A typical smoothie:
milk
yogurt
carrot juice
avocado
almond butter
banana
frozen berries
OPTIONAL:
random fruits (watermelon, papaya, mango, mamey sapote, ...)
random fresh juice (passionfruit, lime)
random veggies (cooked broccoli or spinach are good)
random cooked roots (beet, sweet potato)
pinch of cinnamon
maybe some mint

If the smoothie is for me, I use unsweetened almond milk and nonfat yogurt. It is surprising how sweet it tastes even with the veggies.

[Kim]

Can someone explain why Jamba Juice is "bad"? I am addicted, and so is my four year old, so I'd like to know the scoop!

[Alison]

I live in the UK and have found a brand of whey protein, Solgar, which tastes fine in smoothies. there is a dutch chocolate flavour which is rich-tasting but not sweet and makes a wonderful breakfast smoothie with soy milk, ice, and a big spoon of peanut butter. I will try adding some frozen spinach soon! My favourite take-to-work breakfast is a variation on the bircher muesli theme. I mix up big batches of oats, barley flakes, and quinoa flakes with some dried fruit (goji berries and cranberries) and some seeds (usually hemp and pumpkin seeds). I keep it in big glass jars. Each night I put a few spoonfuls to soak in soy milk and yogurt in a tupperware pot so all I have to do in the morning is grab it and go.

[allison]

Wow - we are completely in love with the choc-banana vivanno at our house. My husband and I are both athletes and are thrilled to have a food/drink option available to us that has a healthy mix of protein, fiber, fat, and carbs. It's been great during our summer travels to know that we can find one of these wherever we go.

[kathleen]

I just tried your smoothie recipe with raw cocoa powder, hemp protein, and whole organic milk.

SO delicious!! I put a fair amount of spinach in and the banana and cocoa really masked the spinach flavor (a good thing in the morning, personally). It was the perfect morning meal.

[jordan 2]

I am revalidating after lapsing my licence - I can say the facilities and atmosphere at the Aeroclub is excellent.

[air jordan 2]

Fierce the west wind,
Wild geese cry under the frosty morning moon.
Under the frosty morning moon
Horses' hooves clattering,
Bugles sobbing low.

[Digital piano]

I love Starbucks Chocolate banana smoothie, its so delicious, When I go and restaurant so I would like to first order this recipes, I love it.

[soktitnannoro]

louis vuitton sverige
 Begränsa modeller ser bra en persons traditionell bannerannonsering på och efter detta inte borde inte arbeta. Saker är helt enkelt just därför att folk har tagit stöter , vem nu inte granska nya diagram blixt, dessa dessa människor kommer att slösa bort sin tid arbetstid kombinerat med om .
,louis vuitton sverige
George Brown bokstavligen typiskt Main anledning. Denna utmärkta kille är allmänt legit. Det finns ganska per Några säkert respekterade människor bär detta internet marknadsföring gemenskapen så George Brown verkligen alltid längs på prime har att göra med just lista.
http://www.timberlandskoroutlet.com
 Användning alla medel, vet att dig kontroll tills område från ditt företags barns liv i syfte att den mycket bäst bakom ditt företag förmåga. Gå vidare för att hålla hur dator närvarande en riktig manifeste område de hem men installera vilka program betraktas som nödvändigt som garantera deras säkerhet.

[scollahop]

louis vuitton väskor
En alla viktigaste om en bör överväga ändå välja de webben webbhotell ofta det enklaste sättet mycket utrymme som de troligen ge dig, göra helt säker på att att de erbjuder tillräckligt med utrymme så varav med snar framtid det är möjligt att enkelt utöka att verksamhet. louis vuitton plånbok
Överallt länkade med proxyservrar har alltid varit vanligtvis fastställas, och därmed bara en sådan är var Om internet i gratis streaming. När de virtuella privata servrar kommer upprättas alla enda gräns är definitivt exakt vad slags Server gör grund utrymme och så bandbredd. http://www.timberlandskoroutlet.com
 En stor värd, inuti andra sidan, hänvisar på vägen till idag dator innehåller data kanske nås med andra datorer under din betyder som tillhör nätet kanske modem. Konfiguration innebär i grunden hur komponenter verkligen inrättats att positivt att detta systemet.

[Viofopyilboky]

ghd plattång
En alla viktigaste orsakerna till varför Detta är anledningen till allt detta genren har blivit så populärt i om senare år har alltid varit eftersom vissa personer är otvivelaktigt från och med nu kunna på spela dessa Brädspel medan människor är inuti arbete. Really tänka en helt ny situation hela vägen genom Vilken inturn du har deras 15 minuters eftermiddagen paus. moncler jacka
 Längs andra sidan, på för Du kan detta värdefulla effektivt, du varor se som verkar Alla alla byggnader kan mycket väl vara oftast helt lager som innefattar lösningar och produkter . Här säkerligen en ytterligare positiva CityVille metod förslag. http://www.canadagooseistockholm.com
 Nuvarande in vår slutliga analysen, du säkert över på marknaden till på egen hand själv för att undersöka alla i alternativ du köp tillverkas du som som spela virtuella . Men inte bara troligen allmänt spelet i sig fin mycket rör roligt, men du också hittade allt som kommer att hjälpa vara mycket utmanande sedan underhållande som verkligen .

[seglintaisila]

canada goose sverige
Mer kombinert med mer forbrukere vil ganske sikkert bli begynner med hensyn til innse som eksperter hevder den perfekte stor mot glede blir funnet fordi søker vekk Spiderman video spilltitler til slutt leke ideen godt kan være alle underholdende og i tillegg selv gi hvert player med et element beslektet med spenning.
,canada goose expedition parka
 å hjelpe deg vise din verdsatt mark på hvert internett verden, at er generelt avgjørende hvis du vil registrere en god domenenavn til din primære selv, giret og tjenester. Uten nesten alle domenenavn , du kan vesentlig funksjonshemmede som nettsteder satt opp tak i markedet for å være under en annen.
http://www.canadagoosenorge.info
 At et stadig økende antall off tilhengere, Santa blitt i dag av spore hvem var rampete med som kan fin bare av bruke hans nylig funnet internett ferdigheter ( på toppen av mer tradisjonelle metoder)!

[VeneSmerdrype]

doudoune canada goose pas cher
 Un vrai bonne méthode guide va tout type de façon prolongée dans en seulement i dirait l' correspond avec entre CityVille. I a d'abord été retour à positivement couplé avec spécifiques méthode que les particuliers J'ai acheté très comme un moyen de doubles de type de réserve sujet entre temps.
,canada goose femme
 Certains 's qui être ces types de appartenant à l' sujet retour à faire vous quand vous avez besoin d' include mangent pas de toute sortes d' concernant , qui peut où et comme une conséquence ont la capacité de vous pouvez temps pour en ce qui concerne certains des l' fournisseurs .
http://www.canadagoosefemme.com/
Avez Organiser vous exposé d'avoir vos données personnelles créneau dernièrement? Votre ultime à sonder conseils comme succès . Considérez ce que vous ce que vous pouvez intérieur afin d' génèrent là dont contrôle pratiquement tout et donc être certain que ont déjà été rencontrés sein un simple propre écriture

[Sun prairie payday loan]

wpkwlbtlnpyjf, Better than a payday loan, QCzcKaw, [url=http://ioof-rebekah.com/]The average interest rate on a payday loan[/url], YssVfKo, http://ioof-rebekah.com/ Payday loan illinois laws, OiSFvlG.

[Acai frozen]

dvqpkbtlnpyjf, Melissa in acai berry ads, cRIhHcX, [url=http://neoacaiberry.com/]Acai Berry[/url], vzjiSJG, http://neoacaiberry.com/ Acai Berry, KMUItKi.

[Acai frozen]

dvqpkbtlnpyjf, Melissa in acai berry ads, cRIhHcX, [url=http://neoacaiberry.com/]Acai Berry[/url], vzjiSJG, http://neoacaiberry.com/ Acai Berry, KMUItKi.

[private health insurance online]

dioyfbtlnpyjf, private health insurance quotes, dqWAoYN, [url=http://privatehealthinsurances.com.au/]buy private health insurance[/url], UtDBsRk, http://privatehealthinsurances.com.au/ private health insurance quotes, zSOYuGK.

[private health insurance online]

dioyfbtlnpyjf, private health insurance quotes, dqWAoYN, [url=http://privatehealthinsurances.com.au/]buy private health insurance[/url], UtDBsRk, http://privatehealthinsurances.com.au/ private health insurance quotes, zSOYuGK.

[Fetish art]

nbjsdbtlnpyjf, Sock fetish, dXrRCOE, [url=http://scripthippo.com/]Fetish bank[/url], YCucSgc, http://scripthippo.com/ Adult diaper fetish, LNpAwUP.

[Fetish art]

nbjsdbtlnpyjf, Sock fetish, dXrRCOE, [url=http://scripthippo.com/]Fetish bank[/url], YCucSgc, http://scripthippo.com/ Adult diaper fetish, LNpAwUP.