Fortified.

Such a strong and powerful word.

Unfortunately, it’s neither strong nor powerful when it comes to nutrition. So many foods and drinks designed for kids are fortified with synthetic vitamins and nutrients, which sounds healthful. But fortification can have a host of drawbacks, according to Jennifer Back RD, LD, CDE, a registered dietitian.

“When food is fortified, synthetic vitamins may not have the co-factors that are needed to function properly,” Back explains. “The fortified food may overdo one nutrient, which may counteract the overall benefit. And the processing may destroy many of the nutrients.”

A whole lot of reasons to drink Sneakz

Back adds that the fortification process may produce only a minimal boost, meaning a person would have to eat an enormous quantity of a particular food to get the recommended amount of the fortified nutrient. And fortification can also add calories.

The failings of fortification become very apparent when compared to Sneakz, the vegetable-hiding milkshakes derived from whole foods. Whole foods—ingredients that are as close to their natural state as possible—may contain protective substances such as phytochemicals and antioxidants. And they don’t require fortification because they already contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and micronutrients, which allow the body to produce substances crucial to growth and development.

“The benefits of whole foods are the increased variety of micronutrients,” says Back. “All of the compounds work together to produce the beneficial effects of the food.”

 All of the ingredients in Sneakz work together to sneak an extra half a cup of vegetables into a child’s day. Whole foods vs. fortification gives families a whole lot of reasons to drink Sneakz.