The Setbacks of Juicing: Should You Make Smoothies Instead?

I once knew an individual who profoundly prided himself on his physical health and appearance. In addition to pursuing a very physically active lifestyle, he also strived balance his diet and incorporate more healthy habits and recipes. One of his favorite gadgets that helped him in this endeavor, an electronic juicer, had seen a great deal of use. It wasn't until years later that I would learn the folly of this once thought healthy trend.


Juicing your fresh fruit at home can have a number of advantages:

-By juicing a fruit you are essentially extracting the nutrient directly from the product

-Your body is more easily able to absorb the nutrients that have already been broken down theoretically providing you with the maximum benefit

-Through drinking fruit juice instead of eating the raw product you can fit a full serving of fruit into a smaller package

-You can consume more fruit on the go and be healthy while still facilitating your busy lifestyle

- You have a hobby to talk about to your friends.


A disadvantage is that you create quite a mess. I remember watching all but in tears as my friend tossed away his excess skin and pulp into the trash. Such a tragic waste of organic material and in a world where people starve for lack of resources! Fortunately, there is composting for the environmentally conscious among us. Just as tragic, however, is the waste of precious fiber. Most Americans don't get enough wholegrains OR fiber in their diets due to how-how processed our food really is. Not only that, but fiber helps our bodies to more slowly absorb sugar into our bloodstreams. Fruits are loaded with sugar, but the fruit is still good for us because it's "natural sugar", right? Wrong! the reason fruit is still healthy despite its sweet side is because of the presence fiber, which counteracts the sugar so it doesn't contribute to unhealthy blood sugar levels. In juicing you lose that while the menacing sugar remains.


Not only that but because juice is less feeling due to its bulk being strained away, you will not stay full as wrong leading to a more frequent appetite. You will be encouraged to consume more calories and what's more, you won't have the fiber needed to process your intake.

To keep the whole product intact, but still broken into delicious sips try a smoothie instead. Just blend your fruit into water and ice chips for a delicious supper or springtime smoothy and you're all set. If you're lactose intolerant but prefer to take yours with something creamy try a cup of soy or almond in lieu of dairy milk.