The juicing industry has become an influential and trendy new health craze for natural wellness. Freshly squeezed bottles of fruits and vegetables have become a popular way to get the health benefits for those with busy routines and value wellness over a quick fast food option. Proponents of juicing claim that you get a much larger amount of micronutrients since there is more vegetables in a glass of juice than a person could eat in one sitting, and that the nutrients are much easier to absorb than whole foods. However, the downside to juicing is that you lose out on the benefits of fibre- a component of fruits and vegetables that improve heart and digestive health.
Juicing has been around for years, and I discovered its benefits more than 20 years ago after facing a health crisis. Time to time I would stop creating my own juices whether it was due to time constraint or just needed to change things up, but now that I’m older and life has gotten even busier. I’ve noticed I feel better when juicing is part of my daily routine. It wasn’t until recently that it was far more easier to get your hands on a bottle of freshly pressed juices and I encourage everyone to try them and find your personal favourite. Juicing has always given me that uplift and helped me get all my nutrients during these busy and stressful times. I don’t do juicing as a cleanse it is rather a part of my everyday life. As I introduced juicing into my daily routine, I started to feel much more energized, healthier and noticed improvements in my skin. The benefits of juicing made me feel healthier from the inside out and reflected upon my skin in a rewarding way.
These are the benefits I can attest too:
1. Concentrated juices have so much sugar in them, juicing is hydrating and rich in nutrients rather than sugar.
2. Juicing is rich in antioxidants and vitamins that help with heart disease, cancer and so many other diseases.
3. It’s an easy way to get that daily dose of veggies.
4. Some people say juicing is expensive but I still believe its better than taking pills or having to try and eat that many vegetables/fruits in a busy day. When you take all that into consideration it evens out and plus the way you feel is far better and worth it!
Juicing cannot replace eating whole fruits and vegetables, but it can increase one’s intake of essential vitamins and nutrients. Juicing shouldn’t be one’s exclusive or primary diet as it doesn’t have any protein and it can provide too many calories and sugars. Juicing also leaves out the pulp from the vegetables which is where the fibre is contained, so it is still important to supplement that in to your diet with other foods.
You do need a juicer to get the best benefits from juicing and there are so many options on the market, that are affordable. I know some people believe you can use a regular blender but in my experience I have never been fond of pulp in my juice.
Here are some tips and tricks to try to juicing at home if you do not have a juicer:
• Squeeze more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. Less than one-third of adult Americans eat the recommended nine servings a day, according to the CDC.
• Use up leftover produce and save money on groceries.
• Increase your intake of healthy antioxidants, soluble fibre, vitamins and minerals.
• In the past five years, some studies have found a potential link between certain juices and health:
• Kale juice may improve lipid levels, such as cholesterol, which affect your risk of heart disease.
• Carrot juice may reduce oxidative stress in cells in women treated for breast cancer.
• Citrus-based juices and carrot juice may reduce heart disease risk.
Natural skincare and wellness is made up of so many healthy components and choices. While I know we are bombarded everyday with what are the right choices, I hope by juicing and starting your day off with greens only makes the rest of the day go easier with your busy schedule. And that you see more hydrated, glowing skin and feel more energetic and less foggy throughout the day. Remember every time you eat is an opportunity to nourish your body and these small changes can make the biggest difference.
My Favourite Green Juice Recipe:
- 2 large handfuls of kale
- 1 large handful arugula
- Small handful of parsley
- Small handful of spinach
- 2-3 large celery sticks, including leaves
- 1 green apple
- small slice of ginger ( tip of finger size)
- Juice of 1 lemon ( ADD AFTER JUICING)
- 1 tsp matcha powder ( ADD AFTER JUICING)
Tip:
Because this juice can last for three days, to save time, I usually tripple this recipe and have a supply for that amount of time ready in the fridge. Or you can juice it fresh everyday... Either way enjoy this wake-up recipe!!
Juicing FAQ's
Before splurging on an expensive juicer, make sure juicing is right for you! Not everyone enjoys the taste and prep that comes with juicing so it is important to make sure its benefits match your goals whether it be weight loss or overall improved health. There are many ways to create recipes with blenders, some may just require extra prep work and steps to get rid of any pulp or you can try it out at a local juice shop in your city!
Juicing does not 100% replace your vegetable and fruit intake. Juicing allows you to gain a large amount of micronutrients, however it gets rid of the fibre components found in whole fruits and veggies. Therefore it is still important to eat a whole fruit or veggie instead of relying on just juicing.
You can do both or one or the other. Personally I prefer juicing everyday and treating it like a morning smoothie with other meals throughout the day. Other people prefer only doing juice cleanses a few times a year to really shock and cleanse the body and some believe it helps with weight loss. If you are someone who does not eat vegetables regularly I would suggest only juicing once a day regularly as opposed to doing a cleanse so you can get your daily nutrients in.
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