On every street corner here in NYC there are juice stores popping up. As the weather turns warm I find this to be a perfect way to quench thirst and get vitamins and minerals with every sip. And as the sun shines and the temperatures warm up I end up making myself a portable lunch- a smoothie of non-fat greek yogurt and frozen fruit (banana, mango or papaya and berries). What do we think of juicing? Is this way of eating good for you? Does it promote good health and weight loss?
The biggest reason (that I can see) is for the person who does not like to EAT fruits and vegetables. Juicing is a great way to get the vitamins and minerals in that you otherwise wouldn’t.
A negative to juicing is that you don’t get all the fiber that comes from eating the fruits and veggies. When you juice, the machines extract the juice and leave behind the pulp (which is the fiber). But, of course you can use a regular blender and keep the pulp (you can add some water to thin it out).
When juicing, just like anything you drink or eat, you have to be conscious of the calories. If you are using only fruit, be aware of exactly how much fruit is being added to your cup of juice. I was shocked when I saw the man behind the blender add 2 apples, 1 mango, 2 bananas, and 6 oranges. Now, I love fruit, but that was a bit excessive! Is juicing a good way to cleanse your body?
It may seem like a simple way to lose weight, but believe me, it can backfire. On a juice-only diet, you may not get enough fiber or protein to make you full. In my opinion, a juicing diet is extreme and whatever results you get in the short-term aren’t likely to be sustainable. Some people have asked me if juicing can be a way of “cleansing” your body. The truth is, if your kidneys and liver are functioning properly, your organs will take care of the cleanse (without the juice “detox”).
So, what’s my bottom line? I like to drink a fresh juice or a fruit smoothie for the taste and sometimes as a quick way to have a complete meal (as long as it contains some protein). Like everything in life, there are pros and cons and you have to find a good healthy balance for yourself.
What's right for you? I can help you to find out! Contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com to schedule a consultation.