In recent years, juicing has become a major dietary trend. It’s a fast way to get nutrients into your body, especially if you don’t often eat fruits and vegetables as snacks or part of a meal. You can even sneak in vegetables you aren’t readily fond of in your fresh fruit juice, receiving all the nutritional benefits without ever tasting those dark leafy greens!
The process of juicing is the extracting of minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables into a liquid, drinkable form. With so many ‘added sugar’ versions of juice stocking the shelves in stores today, it is always a better option to prepare your own juice at home.
Not all juices are of the same quality, freshness or nutritional value. Often times those large bottles of juice found down a grocery aisle sport a long shelf life but are loaded with extra, unnecessary sugar. As a general rule, steer clear of the center, unrefrigerated aisles at the grocery store. The items sold here are usually filled with preservatives and empty calories and packed with extra sugar and sodium no one needs!
Previously prepared raw juices are an amazing option if you have a packed schedule and can’t find time to juice at home. These bottles are often found in the refrigerated produce section of the grocery store. Remember, read the labels (!!!) - all the secrets, good and ugly, are listed right there on the bottle. If the bottle says, “organic, fresh an/or raw,” and the preparation date is recent, buy it and indulge! A stop at one of the many local juice bars popping up in towns around the world is another great option for those constantly on the run. Stop in for a few minutes and order your favorite blend.
Ultimately, homemade juices are the best option you can choose, but you’ll need to invest in a nice machine for best results. Always keep fresh fruit and vegetables on hand when you want a quick juice pick-me-up. If you live near a local farmers market or orchard, take advantage of their fresh seasonal selections. Nothing tastes better than juice from a sun-ripened peach you picked earlier that day!
We know the price of fresh produce seems to go up almost weekly these days, but the benefits far out weigh these costs. If you want to save money in the long run, investing in a quality juicing machine and preparing your juices at home is the best option. Selecting the perfect type of juicer, and there are MANY to choose from, is your key to success (and ease)!
Centrifugal Juicers: Easy to clean, cheap to buy, these juicers are one of the most popular sold in the market. Personally, I don’t recommend this type of juicer. The metal filter within the juicer spins very fast, as it heats up the temperature destroys most of the healthful enzymes in your fruits and vegetables and also oxidizes the nutrients. You’re left with a juice that probably tastes good, but isn’t nearly as good for you as it could have been.
Cold Pressed Juicers (Masticating Juicers): These juicers are expensive, but worth the investment. Cold press juicers crush the fruit first and then press so the nutrients stay whole within the juice. These kinds of juicers work rather slowly; at first use, you might think it is not working properly. You end up with a juice containing a bit more pulp, which is a great source of fiber.
TIPS FOR JUICING
- Drink your homemade juice immediately after preparing. Air destroys vitamins and minerals quickly and fresh juice collects bacteria right away.
- Never participate in a juice only cleanse or diet plan. Juice has very little protein, fat and fiber. A healthy diet will enhance your juicing lifestyle and is a better way for your body to get well-rounded nutrition.
- Don’t throw away that leftover pulp! Look online for dozens of healthy recipes using fruit and vegetable pulp.
- Try adding new fruits and vegetables to your juices, especially the ones you don’t like. Their flavor is masked with the other fruits and vegetable and you get their benefits without the taste! Be creative…add spinach to that berry blend or carrots your apples and cantaloupe. Delish!
- Always go organic when you can, especially for fruits and vegetables harvested low to the ground (lettuces, strawberries) or even underground (carrots, beets). if you need to pick and choose your organic foods, fruits with tougher skins and peels like pineapples and cantaloupe or those grown higher up in trees like kiwi and mangos are usually safer “non organic” options. Check out our Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen List of foods to help determine what fruits and veggies should always be purchased organic and which are considered “clean” safe bets!
DIRTY DOZEN AND CLEAN FIFTEEN LIST
- Work with a 3:1 ratio when creating juicing recipes. Three vegetables and one fruit sis the ideal blend for any nutrient packed homemade juice.
Once you find your own personal juicing groove, the benefits and gufts this healthful practice allots you is plentiful. You’ll soon start to feel more energized, gain a clearer thinking ability, enjoy glowing eyes and skin, stronger hair and nails, stronger immune system and improved appetite control. Do we really need to say more?
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Article written by: Angie Oncu Tuzuner