Health
Habits
Food
Weight 
Better Than Butternut: Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe
10 Simple Ways To Eat Less Without Noticing
Juicing: Stupid and Pretentious or Nourishing and Enlightening?
10 Tasty Carbs That Won’t Make You Fat
How To Start Working Out When You Don’t Like To Exercise
Focus More on Your Brain and Less on Your Diet if You’re Serious About Losing Weight
Home Court Habits: The Secret to Effortless Weight Control
10 Reasons You Aren’t Losing Weight When You Think You’re Doing Everything Right
How To Burn More Calories Without Breaking A Sweat
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Foodists
6 Things To Consider Before Buying A Juicer (+ more tips for fruit & vegetable juicing)
Photo by Tawheed Manzoor
Juicing fruits and vegetables is widely considered a healthy habit, even though most nutrition experts caution against the excessive sugar and calories you get from juicing.
Although I’ve had tons of questions about it, I’ve avoided discussing juicing at Summer Tomato because I didn’t think there were enough positive things to say to warrant an entire blog post.
That is, until I got a juicer.
Two months ago a Breville juicer and blender magically appeared in my kitchen. I wasn’t particularly excited about it, but agreed to participate in the ensuing juicing experiment—for research purposes, of course. The idea was to start juicing a few mornings a week, just to see what happens.
(Update: it’s been a year now, and while I don’t juice regularly (see reason #6) I still enjoy it on occasion)
I was more than a little surprised how much I enjoyed it. Even though it was mostly vegetables, I expected the juice to be very sweet, which it wasn’t. Instead it was bright and refreshing, like a summer salad. It also tasted and made me feel good, and as long as I kept the serving size to 8oz or less it was easy to maintain my weight.
I also find that fresh juice is a great way to fend off a cold, when I feel one coming on.
But juicing is not for everyone. And before jumping in head first, there are a few things you should consider.
Update: Read this for more on the science and health of juicing.
6 Things To Consider Before Buying A Juicer
1. Fruit juice and vegetable juice are not created equal
It may sound counter-intuitive, but fruit juice may actually raise your risk of heart disease. Fructose, the primary sugar found in fruit, is transformed into triglycerides in the liver and promotes insulin resistance, both of which promote heart disease. Similarly, fruit juice increases type 2 diabetes risk while whole fruit lowers it.
Why do you think high-fructose corn syrup is so bad for you?
While whole fruit does not typically pose a problem because of its high fiber content, concentrating fruit by juicing it increases the fructose per serving dramatically. Think about how many oranges go into making one small cup of OJ, and you’ll start to see what I mean.
If you’re getting a juicer because you think apple-orange juice is going to make you healthier, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. Plan to juice mostly vegetables or else getting a juicer is not a particularly healthy choice.
2. You still need to eat your vegetables
Don’t assume that drinking your vegetables is the same as eating them. Yes, as in the case with fructose you will be concentrating vitamins and minerals from your vegetables, but you will also be losing a lot of fiber that slows digestion and helps you feel full.
The rate you digest food and your satisfaction after eating are just as important to your overall health as the nutrients you consume. So while juicing can add to your overall nutrient intake, it cannot replace your daily vegetable consumption.
3. Juicing may stall weight loss
Though vegetables have less fructose than fruit, it is still an incredibly efficient way to take in calories, something most of us don’t need. If you choose to experiment with juicing while attempting to lose weight remember that you still need to watch your portion size, and consider reducing it if weight loss stalls.
I recommend no more than one 8oz juice serving per day if you are trying to lose weight. This is pretty small.
4. Prepare to do a lot of shopping
As noted in the above points, juicers take large quantities of vegetables and turn them into small amounts of juice. Additionally you need to continue buying and eating vegetables for your regular meals.
All this means you’d better plan to do a lot of shopping for produce if you want to keep your refrigerator stocked. If you aren’t prepared for this, you might find you don’t get the use you expected out of your new purchase.
5. Expect to drop some cash
Juicers aren’t cheap, nor are all those shopping trips. Consider juicing a luxury, not a necessity. So if money is an issue for you, you might want to look elsewhere to upgrade your healthstyle.
One thing we’ve experienced with the Breville juice and blend is that it feels like overkill for the kind of juicing we’re doing at home. While some of you may be juicing for large groups, juicing for two does not require an industrial strength machine.
Keep in mind that a larger, more powerful juicer will be harder to work, harder to clean and difficult to store. Consider a smaller size if possible. This smaller model from Breville looks like a fantastic option for a 2-person household.
Here’s a good midrange option: Breville Juice Fountain Elite 1000-Watt Juice Extractor
6. Expect a time commitment
All the shopping, juicing and cleaning does take some time. Making juice for two and cleaning up takes about 10-15 minutes each morning. And as I mentioned above, extra shopping is required (we can no longer fit a week’s worth of vegetables in the fridge, so multiple store trips are necessary).
While the extra work is worth it if you enjoy the juicing experience, you should factor it in while making your purchasing decision.
A few other tips for juicing
If you do decide to take the plunge, here are a few suggestions we’ve found make the best juicing experience:
- Focus on vegetables, but include some fruit. We’ve found that one small apple makes a huge difference in flavor. This is all we recommend so far in the fruit department.
- Include 1-2 root vegetables–such as carrots or beets–to add additional flavor and antioxidants. We like to include either 2 small carrots (1 large) or 2 small beets (1 large). These tend to contribute a tad more sugar and a nice earthy flavor, adding complexity.
- Add at least one leafy green vegetable. We’ve been happy with kale, broccoli and chard (currently in season), but others likely work as well.
- Include one watery vegetable. Cucumber, celery and other watery vegetables help dilute the too-strong flavors of the previous 3 ingredients. This can make a big difference in drinkability, while adding some nice flavor and additional vitamins.
- Don’t forget a garnish. A small amount of a strong flavored item such as ginger, lemon, mint or other herb can make your juice a real pleasure to drink while adding highly concentrated antioxidants.
- Consider adding back a few scoops of the fiber that is filtered out by the juicer. This will make your juice more filling.
Originally published February 24, 2011.
I think juicing is an excellent way to get more fresh vegetables in your diet. I don’t worry about the calories because as long as you are not juicing things high in sugar (fruits, carrots, beets) the amount of calroies isn’t going to be that much and the nutritional value is absolutely worth it.
The best juicer is the one you will use most often. For me personally I prefer the “slow” juicers. The omega vrt is a masticating juicer which spins at 80rpm (versus over 13k on the breville). It is said that the slower crushing action creates a higher quality juicer. These style juicers are suppose to be better with leafy greens (which I think is the most important thing to juice). In general I go for 30% dark leafy greens (kale, wheat grass, dandelion greens, chard, etc) and 70% other stuff like cucumbers, celery and sometimes carrots but I try to avoid the excess sugar. And also as you said garlic or ginger for some spice.
Thx for the tips!
John Kohler just put a video demonstration going over some of his own tips. Great complement to your suggestions.
We had an Omega juicer, about $400 bucks….used a paper filter that went inside stainless steel basket.
You stop using it because it takes longer to clean it than it’s worth. It also had a small cute opening so all fruits and veggies had to be cut in to small pieces….
Next came the Jack LaLane, bigger opening was nice, no paper filters, but still a pain to wash….still have it but hardly use it since I bought this Bullet.
Throw a hand full of raw greens, some apple, maybe some fine grated almonds(made using a different blade) add some strawberries and or blueberries, use water or almond milk….pop it in the base for 15-20 seconds….
open and drink, then just wash everything that needs washing in 20 seconds or less….
This is good and you use it because it’s easy….
The Bullet is a blender, not a juicer. I have the Omega 350 Slow Juicer (masticating) and it’s super quiet, easy to clean and works well with most things we put in it. http://amzn.to/18ANeJI
Omega is coming out with the 400 but it’s the same blender mechanically with just a slightly different look.
There are pros and cons of both (blending vs juicing) and people have good reasons for choosing one versus the other.
We actually just got the Omega a couple weeks ago (yes, still working on this experiment), and it’s so much work to clean we’ve already abandoned it. It comes with an oversized toothbrush for the job! Booo 🙁
How come my juice is thick
I find a few of the things you posted in your blog, based on my own research is inaccurate. First of all watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and then consult a certified Nutrition expert, and you will see that your information on juicing not aiding in weight loss is wrong… Also fruit does not put you at risk for any heart defect… You may want to do your research as I have, before posting a blog.
thank you! I could not agree any more! I juice the following
Carrots
Kale
Beet
Broccoli
small orange
a few days a week i feel healthier than ever, I also eat oatmeal and Lentil soup with some veggies to get daily fiber in.
You say you did research to support your claims, but all you cite is a product being sold for profit, so hardly a disinterested party. Got anything scientific?
I am 53 and been juicing daily for 10 years….fruit, veggies all of it. I have lost and sustained 40lbs and significantly reduced the dosages of my cholesterol and blood pressure meds. People think I am in my mid 30s because my skin is in better condition than when I was much younger. Anything in excess is bad, but I can tell you that juicing 2x every day in addition to eating whole grains, cereal, etc to get the appropriate fiber in my diet has been a God Send. I am a clinical trial of only one, but for me…thats all I need.
Been juicing for almost a year and can speak from personal experience that it’s life changing. Not only have I lost weight, but I’m stronger over all, I have more energy, I am more balanced in all aspects of my life, and I sleep better. I didn’t just watch a documentary and decide to alter my life drastically…I did my own research and then talked to my physician. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I too found much of the above information to be inaccurate and it’s sad. Most juicers know that you should drink your veggies and eat your fruit, but that being said, if you are a newbie and need to work your way into the lifestyle, throwing in a small apple and/or orange isn’t going to be devastating. This is exactly how I got my boyfriend hooked….I started with a juice that consisted of spinach, celery, lemon, ginger, orange, and apple. I gradually used more spinach, celery, and added kale and cucumber, and eventually eliminated the apple and orange…all the while continuing to educate him on the benefits. It’s been several months and he’s lost weight as well, sleeps better, is less stressed out, and he’s thinking proactively on other ways to improve his life holistically/naturally.
Harmful? I think not.
also, high fructose (syrup) is a man made product. Fructose in it’s natural organic form is a 100% better than that off a substituted processed food.
Of course it aids in weight loss. You’re drinking vegetable sweat. I don’t understand why people can’t just eat a damn vegetable. Our society is so unbelievably lazy, we don’t even want to chew the good stuff anymore. The only ones who really benefit from juicing are the people who eat no vegetables whatsoever and can deal with the money and time a juicer consumes. Clearly drinking a vegetable is better than not eating one at all but there’s no way that people should delve into juicing without consulting a physician or a nutritionist first.
For some of us, it’s not that we’re lazy. I personally can’t stand carrots, kale, nor cucumbers, but when they’re juiced with fruits, I could take them in all day. Out of sight, out of mind kind of thing, ya know?
Great point.
Juicing allows you to intake more nutrients, quicker. You can drink many more veggies/greens than you could eat. Also, without the fibrous material, the nutrients absorb right away. It also tastes great!
It’s definitely not about being lazy, Shileen. I spend more time preparing my vegetables to be juiced than I do for the ones I chop up and eat… and I do eat my veggies, too. It’s just that I live alone and don’t enjoy cooking for myself. This is the best way I’ve found to improve my veg intake. In addition to that, I’m like others who just don’t care for the taste or texture of a lot of vegetables (hate beets, not a big fan of the tough texture of kale, etc.) Like most things, it’s not for everyone, but for some of us, it’s a blessing.
Who ever told you juicing will raise your risk for heart disease had to be the government. As with anything, too much at one time of one thing is not good, that’s why there are tons of varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables out there for us to juice.
Thanks for your informative blog! I thought juicing was for me but after reading your blog it informed me it’s not! I have very high triglycerides and am not a fan of cleaning up for a small reward. Thank you again!
Darya, can you provide sources for your information? I believe much of it to be inaccurate and would like to see how you came to such conclusions.
btw, low fiber isn’t always a horrid thing. Some diets actually call for low fiber, as for someone who has digestive issues.
I’m extremely new to this, but will i get more juice if I press slowly or quickly? I’m replacing meals and I would like to feel a bit fuller.
answers
1.Add some pulp from what you just juiced like a scoop or so. Adding a simple apple or other food high in fiber.
2. Also make sure on top of juicing your getting protein and the right amount of fiber.
Both help you feel full and are good for you.
oh and going slow is better try not to over work the juicer. If you stuff to much in to fast your more likely to extract less juice.
you can also switch off from juicing and just use a regular blender to make a smoothie 🙂 I use frozen fruit and spinach and since you get the pulp and everything, it is typically more filling than just juice. Also, chia seeds are a great way to lose weight because they expand. Let the chia seeds soak in water, and then add them to your juice or whatever you choose. (chia seeds are like flax seeds only the expand. They give you fiber and omega threes, also a great way to get in the good fats while only juicing :))
Another option is to buy a VitaMix and that way you still get all the fiber and whatever else from the fruit and the veggies. I add kale to my morning shake. The vitamix liquefies just about any fruit or veggie and its way easier to clean then that Breville.
Vitamins and antioxidants are very delicate and begin to breakdown the moment they are extracted from food and subjected to processing. I don’t think any dry mix can approximate fresh food.
I use fresh veggies, fruits(sometimes frozen), ground flax and chia seeds in the vitamix, no dried powders.
Thank you for the article. BTW, he wasn’t talking about a dry mix, he’s talking about using his “Vitamix” brand blender to blend veggies instead of a juicer 😉
OK cool 🙂 Frozen is fine of course.
A VitaMix isn’t a dry mix 🙂 it’s a like a blender on steroids. You could literally make juice out of a hammer and bucket of nails. It’s not your typical juice extractor. It blends the fruit/veggies along with the pulp, so you still get all the fiber and vitamin benefit. I have one too, and it works great.
Hahaha, totally my bad there! I thought it was a vitamin packet you mix in. Thx for the correction, I’m totally going to try and drink a hammer.
Is it wrong to assume hammers and nails are a good source of iron? Hee-hee!
How easy is it to use, and does it require assembly?
It’s very easy to use (basically just a blender), and easy to clean (basically just a pitcher!). However, I would add that I had a Vitamix for a while (and returned it to Costco — they take back anything!), and bought a Blendtec blender. A Blendtec is similar to a Vitamix, but in my experience, much more powerful! I make a drink with spinach, celery, cucs, parsley, apple, ginger, and lemon, lots of stuff to blend up, and the Blendtec does it in less than a minute usually! http://fresh-you.blogspot.com/2011/10/dr-ozs-tangy-green-drink.html
Hello Brad,
I saw an infomercial on vegetable juicer Fusion Juicier and it was very impressive. This made me explore more on vegetable juicing and other juicer appliances. The Fusion Juicer is available through mail. I would like if you have heard of it and used it and what you think of it in terms of reliability, ease of use, its functionality. You can find more information on the website http://www.fusionjuicer.com.
I do have Vitamix and use it to juice vegetables before buying on the internet.
Ramesh
Do vegetable purees have the same problems as vegetable juices? I like making them in the food processor to put in a thermos (raw or slightly cooked veggies in the food processor; puree; pour into thermos). They’re thicker than the juice, so you can’t use a straw, but you can still drink them. I’m curious if they have the same nutritional pitfalls.
Also, I like all the changes you’re making to your site, Daria. I’m not sure I’ll have the time to watch all your programs, but I’ve enjoyed the first one so far.
Thx ps 🙂
As for the processed vegetables, you’re still getting your fiber, etc. so it’s more like a soup that a juice. Sounds pretty good to me.
ah, I don’t own a juicer, and I didn’t realize they did so much filtering out of the pulpy bits (also, I wasn’t sure if mushing up the fruit and veg so much was also doing something bad to the nutrients — I suck at chemistry).
Also, that Vita-Mix thing sounds cool!
Hi just wanted to let you know, if you blend anything for a minute your likely going to ‘oxidize’ a lot of the nutrients, which may take down the nutrition at least a tad bit.
If you want to get around that, you can use something with an auger and very low speed, like a manual wheatgrass juicer, and put your veggies through it, slowly processing them into a liquid mush that will be easier to chew up, but with much less oxidation of course.
I use manual stainless steel juicer to make juices sometimes, and eat a few bites of the pulp first to slow the absorption when adding carrots or other sugary veggies
How well does the juice keep?
I’ve always wanted to give it a shot, but wondered if I could make it in bulk, and have juice for a few days…
Not well. I made too much once and tried to have it the next day and almost gagged. Yarg.
I drink mine after 72 hours which is how long it suppose to last & tastes the same. You don’t want to shake it just tip it back & forth. Obviously, it is best to drink it right away & fresher. Citrus preserves the juice, just throw a lemon in. I do this because I make a batch for a couple of days. I received this information from someone that is certified in detoxing/juicing.
I turn my extras into ice cubes. Keep the flavours separate and add them to my water 🙂
Can you provide us with 1 recipe of yours for a tasteful, healthy juice?
For the past few months I have been juicing mostly fruits. After reading this, I wonder what I’ve been doing to my body. Time to add more veggies (I’m going to the store in an hour). Thanks Darya!
and I love adding cinnamon, along with ginger or mint or lemon (depending on the mixture of produce).
Our juice is typically in the ratio of the tips I added at the end: 1 sm apple, 2 sm carrots, a bunch of kale or broccoli, 1 small cucumber and some lemon, ginger or mint. Very t
I also add a radish or two to add some zing to vegetable juice. Grapefriut is also good, though be careful of the fructose. Use only half a grapefruit.
Grapefruit actually increases metabolism for other reasons, so you don’t need to worry so much about fructose when you’re eating grapefruit.
Thanks Darya, I didn’t know that. 🙂
Just a note that anyone who is on heart medication (or any medication, really) should be very careful with grapefruit. Grapefruit and a few other citrus fruits are known to boost the levels of medications that the body absorbs, to dangerous levels.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0206d.shtml
I am on no medications so I love pink grapefruit and eat a lot of it when it’s in season!
You said at the beginning to add fibre as juicing removes the ‘bulk’ of the vegetable, what would you recommend adding? Maybe a tbsp of chia seeds or something? What other things?
Thanks
you should be juicing mostly veggies! add the fruit to spice up the flavor
Kale
Cabbage
Spinach (can be difficult)
Carrots
Beets
Grapefruit
Orange
Mango
Apple
I combine as many veggies with 1 fruit to add flavor
I was making juice the other day and decided to add mango, which made my juice phenomenal, but the mango was soooo good I decided to just eat it instead hahaha
I love, love, love my Vita-Mix! I had a juicer once, but find that taking the whole food and getting it blended is easier for me, since I’m all about the KISS method. It’s how I get my greens (with a little added fruit for making it palatable). Thanks for the garnish tip, Dayra. I gotta try it.
OMG Kaila Walla, I LOL reading your description of what a Vita-Mix can do.
I have a juicer and have juiced for years but I think I need a Vita-Mix now. It sounds wonderful. I love that you get the fibre as well.
I bought a Nutri Bullet and absolutely love it. I use it every day sometimes twice a day. The bullet extracts all the veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds by opening up the cells of these foods, therefore making it easier to digest them. It works for me!!
I bought a Breville over the holidays as a present to myself. So far, my favorite juice has consisted of a fennel bulb (sometimes with stalk still attached depending on where I purchase), a couple of celery stalks, a cucumber and a small Granny Smith apple to cut the bitterness of the veggies.
Wow, can’t argue with results like jack lalane or jay kordich who have done a lifetime of juicing up till a very late age!
But I’m wondering if the centrifugal type juicers (breville BJB840XL , 800JEXL , etc) do leafy greens? I know they do beets, and carrot type vegetables well.
But to do things like wheatgrass, kale, etc, is a masticating one preferred?
http://www.healthyjuicer.com/
Of course if you think using a machine is time consuming check this out:
I have read the vegetable juicing is very good for cleansing the liver of all those nasty toxins we get from chemicals in the environment and herbicides that have been sprayed on fruit and vegetables.
Great post, thank you. I just tweeted it, pointing out the heart disease concern.
might want to actually research or talk to a health pro before sharing inaccurate information with your friends. Several points are inaccurate and she gives no sources for any of it.
I’ve owned several juicers over the years and recently purchased an Omega VRT350. I picked this juicer over the Breville for several reasons. The slow speed of the VRT is not only better for the juice, it’s better for your ears. Clean up is a big issue with juicers and can make it so you never want to use it, but the VRT is a snap to clean. This was my first slow speed juicer, now I’m hooked and could never see myself purchasing a loud centrifuge juicer again. The only downside to the Omega VRT350 is that it’s expensive at $380.
Since there is so much mention of Vitamix I have to mention Blend-tec as well. I have owned both machines and prefer the Blend-tec. I call them “the pulverizers” What I like with both of them there is no fruit or vegetable waste. You are using the whole thing. My usual green smoothie is one apple, one orange, 1/2 banana and 2 cups greens…I find spinach to have the mildest taste.
Hi Cynthia,
Do you peel and core the apple? What other prep before blending?
Thanks 🙂
Love your blog/newsletter Darya.
I have been juicing once a day for 6 months. Basically, I have fresh juice at lunch with a healthy salad. Smoothie (banana, almond milk, flax seeds, two tablespoons of fresh apple juice) in the morning with almonds or oatmeal with berries..dinner vegetables, salad or legumes and protein for dinner. I dropped 25 pounds and lowered my cholesterol. Because of the juicing I dropped about 400-500 calories a day. I am full after I drink the juice so a salad is just right. I rarely eat meat maybe once every two months. I do eat fish once or twice a week. I have a bite size of chocolate at night.
I do 4-kale leaves, 2 cups of spinach, 1/2 cucumber, 4 celery stalks, 1 green apple and ginger. Somedays- two carrots, one beet, 4-celery stalks and ginger. Some times I make a salsa juice too with garlic.
I have to say I feel great and my skin is glowing and I have more energy.
Oh love your squash pasta dish and I use tofu noodles some times.
Awesome, sounds like you’ve found what works!
Checkout Joe Rogan’s green kale smoothie drink
Raw vegetables have prebiotic fiber and feed gut bacteria flora (listen @44min http://robbwolf.com/2011/03/01/the-paleo-solution-episode-69/ on benefits of feeding flora). Cooking in general -reduces- prebiotics content by 25-75% http://is.gd/RFmSxL. Gut flora will also degrade pre-AGEs (ARPS) by 80% http://is.gd/TSngGS from ‘AGE con.pdf’ plus you feel awesome immediately after drinking it (VitC will indeed blunt cortisol).
I like to just use a slickdeals.net blendtec w/ one button push (not manual vitamix) and drink on ice w/ 12mm glass straw and added half a peeled lemon blended (should have also added more water too)… makes drinking easy-quick as breathing and adds a palatable lemonade taste on backend.
I am a huge fan of green smoothies and have been toying with the idea of getting a juicer to change things up a bit. I had previously hesitated because of the clean up involved and also I’m not sure how many more appliances I really need. Thanks for this post, I think I’ll skip the juicer after all!
Darya,
Thanks for the post.
What do you think about the difference between juicing and using a blender (like the Vitamix)? It seems to me that the Vitamix (which I use daily for much more than just smoothies) solves a lot of the problems you pointed to with juicing, but still gives you the same if not greater benefits.
It seems the problem with higher fructose and lower fiber is somewhat reduced because with the Vitamix you don’t remove the pulp, you simply blend everything into a pleasant (often thick) concoction. Is that true? Even though it’s blended down and turns juice-like, do you still get the fiber value?
Also, in this way, the clean up is not bad at all. It takes me about 5 minutes to prepare everything, and about 30 seconds to clean. If you are new to it, it might take you 10 minutes to prepare your smoothie and a minute to clean.
I would agree that my grocery bill has doubled since using it though. 🙂 It’s an investment worth making in my opinion.
What do you think? Why isn’t there more emphasis on the Vitamix? I feel it’s the best kitchen health device I’ve seen, but often gets ignored in health blogs, documentaries, etc.
Also, if you are wealthy and want the best juicer on the market, check out the Norwalk Juicer (http://www.norwalkjuicers.com/), as featured in the documentary the Gerson Miracles.
No thanks. I like my greens and would not want to eat them in pills or liquids. I thought about it for my kids when they were younger but since they love veggies too, I don’t see any need for juicing at my house.
Darya,
I know a diabetic who cannot abide even fresh vegetable juices. I’m not sure if it’s the small amount of fructose or the fact that whatever sugars are in there hit one’s bloodstream so quickly, but this person’s blood sugar spikes by dozens of points, even with nothing but the more bitter vegetables. Just a thought, if you have any diabetic readers. Try using someone else’s juicer and testing your BG before hauling out the cash for your own machine.
This post gave me a flash back to my “starving artist” days, right out of college when I lived in Honolulu. (The rent on my apartment was more than my mortgage in Illinois is now, and that was 20 years ago! Expensive place to live.) I worked at a sandwich and juice place in Waikiki, which had freshly-juiced apple and carrot juices on the menu. There would always be a little extra that slopped out at the end, which I would collect in my own cup. After a few hours, I’d have a glass of freshly juiced apples and and carrots. Since my diet otherwise consisted of ramen noodles and oatmeal, plus the free sandwich I got for lunch, this was ambrosia to me! (I was really, really broke.) I haven’t juiced since, but will always have fond memories.
I have a juicer and I definitely love it! Juicing fruits and vegetables are one of the favorite things that my family love to do especially on weekends. It’s also my way of getting veggies for them. They’re learning the taste of it through juicing. And they love it!
Like you, I don’t juice very often but when I do I love it! I agree with all of your tips but when you write about the time involved, clean up should be mentioned. Juicing is messy.
I don’t put any more fruit in it than I would eat in one sitting so an apple or pear is it, a large handful of purple grapes are fantastic but I have gotten some that are too sweet (those black halloween grapes, for instance). Zucchini is my favorite watery veg, along with summer squash. I also save the thick stems from broccoli and juice them. Go easy on the celery and don’t add a tomato to any juice, it’s awful.
My juicer doesn’t do greens very well and won’t do parsley at all unless I add it in a tiny bit at a time wrapped around something harder.
My teenage son loves juice, he didn’t want to even taste it when I started but now he has to have a glass if I’m making it.
I have been juicing for years and recently picked up an Omni Blender, (3Hp blender similar to the Vitamix only cheaper), I have incorporated this into my daily juicing. My wife is enthusiastic and looks forward to our morning beverages. I have managed to talk a good amount of my friends and family into doing the same thing so that now, when I travel, there is a juicer waiting for me to use in another city. The blenders will be the next step!
Noel – What juicer have you been using all these years? 😉
I use the vitamix in the morning, so im full all day with juice and fiber, and I use the omega juicer at night with a small dinner so my stomach doesnt have to digest all that fiber when I sleep.
Fiber doesnt get digested, that is why it’s good to help peristalsis in the colon
I prefer to eat my fruits & vegetables whole, I think it’s better since the fibers are preserved and there’s less fructose. Plus you feel more full when you eat a whole fruit/vegetable, and I read that the body registers better the intake of calories that are eaten (more than if drunken)
But with the hype these days on juices & green smoothies, and the juicers, blenders, etc. I watched Hungry For Change yesterday and they’ve raw food & juices “specialists” making it sound like it IS The way. Now I’m starting to wonder: besides the fact that one can eat much more in the form of a juice than whole ingredients, is there any other health benefit??? OR whole fruits & vegetables are still the best way to eat???
I love juices & smoothies, but my belief was that whole is better…
Thanks!
I went and bought the breville bje510xl after I saw the film Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. I don’t have 100 lbs to lose, but I realized i wasn’t eating enough vegetables. Sometimes I drink juice instead of a full meal, and I have seen a little bit of weight loss. Seems like a lot of your readers love smoothies…I’m going to have to give that a try as well.
Why not just use a blender and still watch portion sizes? I like the fiber, it makes me think I’m drinking a shake, lol.
You also should mention to use organic fruits and veggies, as using nonorganic contain high amounts of pesticides in a concentrated form of juicing. So it may not be as healthy as you think if you’re not using organic. And don’t be surprised about the size difference between organic and non organic fruits and veggies will require more and cost more just in general.
THANK YOU DARYA, SUMMER TOMATO, and community for being here as an intelligent and thoughtful resource.
I once bought a juicer, for fruit juices, on a whim and never used it…that was 10 years ago. I have always firmly believed that eating the fruit/veg whole and drinking water is the best option to give your body everything it needs to be healthy. However, after many years, several kids, food allergies and intolerances, and auto immune issues later, I am reinvestigating our lifestyle and food choices. I am starting to see benefits to daily juicing (low inflammatory plant foods) as far as increasing your nutrient intake. I am in touch with a fabulous Health Coach who strongly encourages juice cleanses and an anti-inflammatory diet. I recently attended a juicing class and had juices made for me and in front of me. I know the instructor used a Vitamix, but thought she said she does not include the pulp in her juice but instead uses it as a thickener and to bulk up the fiber content of her GF baked goods. But, reading these posts makes me think I screwed this up. It sounds like the Vitamix doesn’t separate the juice and pulp. I would love to buy a juicer that provides for the option, and would probably juice (green leafy kinds!) daily as well as make smoothies (nondairy). I did try my home blender and food processor…much loved and used for years of whole food prep…to make a green smoothie (kale, celery, and cucumber among the ingredients). Both items failed miserably; but I had a LARGE and tasty, watery green slaw to enjoy at the end of the day;) Anyhow, I have decided that I need to buy a juicer that I don’t need a second mortgage to afford! This item would need to be able to withstand daily juicing of fibrous greens, make a decent smoothie, and have an option to separate the pulp from juice. Any ideas from those who have been there done that?? I will also follow up with my health coach and online reviews, but this site and forum seems to have some great contributors!
As a long-time juicer, have some thoughts on the matter.
Yeah, as Darya emphasizes, juicing can inject a lotta calories into you, particularly if much of it is fruit… and these simple carbs will quickly boost your blood sugar levels, and if not used by fueling some pretty immediate post juice activity, can be stored as fat.
So, if you’ve gotta have lotsa fruit in your juice add some fiber to slow down sugar absorption (like flax or hemp seed powder) AND make that juice be a meal replacement instead of a snack, cause its likely that the calories contained therein exceed what a snack should be providing.
To another point — the juicer itself…
I’ve used the power house Champion for 20 years. It’s not as sexy as the Breville (which I also have), and the aperture for pushing the foodstuff down into the grinder is more narrow than the Breville, so the juicing process is a bit slower, however…
After one year of consistent use, the combo screen/grinder $32 “Nutridisk” on my Breville needs to be replaced (despite careful, regular cleaning per instruction guide), whereas the screen and the cutter/blade of the Champion keeps on keeping on after 20 years.
I get into some details w/ pics of a head-to-head comparison + offer a kick-ass juicing recipe here: http://www.garmaonhealth.com/diet/reboot-juice-habit
By the way, a buddy of mine owns a supplement company and literally consumes over 50 “pills” and potions per day, and despite that, he says if he could do only one thing for his health, it would be to juice.
Naturally, the ingredients of that juice and overall calories consumed matters!
Thanks, Darya, for another useful post.
Yep.
-Joe
Don’t bother with a juicer and save up for a Vitamix or a Blendtec blender and make smoothies instead. Smoothies are so much better for you (you get the fiber & the juice), and it doesn’t require as much produce to make one. I make green smoothies all the time, and my whole family loves them. A typical smoothie for us might include a large orange, a handful or two of frozen berries or cherries, a banana, a big dollop of coconut milk (to add a little healthy fat and have it stick to our ribs), a big handful of greens (chard, collards, kale, spinach), and some water if it’s too thick. Yum. That makes a smoothie big enough for our family of 3 to share for breakfast, and even the dog gets a little dollop in her bowl.
I’ve had several juices, spent as much as $400 on one,
but after a while the whole process is just a pain….
I bought something called a Bullet…put your greens & beets & apples & carrots (for instance) in it’s clear plastic container, screw on the top, pop it on the base and in less than a minute it’s all a fine slush….drink it down, wash out the plastic container and it’s top and your done….period….nice to have something you really continue to use..
I am thinking of buying the NutriBullet. Is this what you are referring to? There is also the magic bullet that is less expensive. Both are marketed as different from juicer because everything stays in the “blended” drink. Wonder if making the raw veggies a liquid form changes the benefits derived from the veggies?
Great post for this juicing rookie, well done!!
I just started juicing about a month ago and since 2/2/13, I’ve dropped 20 pounds by juicing and giving up meat, eggs and dairy. I’ve been lactose intolerant with IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation) for over 20 years and despite living on medicine that really just masked the problem I was getting no relief. I watched “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” about a year ago and saved up for a juicer. I know everyone’s body is different, so for me, I can say juicing is great! I have not had to take medicine for my condition and the weight loss is an added bonus. I went with a mid-priced Viatek slow juicer. It doesn’t make any more sound than our blender. I still eat a healthy lunch with a salad and lentil soup ( or something similar). My point is, this post does bring up a lot of good points, but everyone’s “inside plumbing” is different. I now juice only once a day for breakfast and I do one apple, 4 carrots and a bit of ginger. I sometimes throw a beet in if I have one.
Great article and comments. We just bought a juicer a couple of days ago. Taking it back to get the vitamix. Think its an all around good machine. Feeling some concern about just drinking juice and not consuming the whole fruit and veggie. My young boys dont like to eat whole veggies and now we can juice the fruits and veggies…sneek it in!
Mike
I am excited that a friend shared your new book on Facebook, and I definitely going to get it. I recently started juicing for weight-loss and found this page on your blog. I started with The Juice Lady’s Turbo Diet book (http://www.juiceladycherie.com/Juice/). In addition to juicing twice a day, she recommends a low-gylcemic diet and eating 80% of your vegetables raw. She also recommends having a juice fast once a week, what are you opinions about that?
So far the juicing is a lot of work, but I know the nutritional benefits are worth it. I know it’s important to have fiber so I’ve been adding golden ground flax seed to my steel cut oats every morning in addition to eating raw fruits and vegetables. If you add flax seed to juice, do you add it after the juice is made or when you’re juicing the veggies & fruits?
I am curious about the Vitamix since it’s seems much easier and gives you the fiber, but I thought high-speed motors and blades (like a blender) “burn” the necessary nutritional benefits away. Is the Vitamix different than a blender?
Sweet. Green juices are great. My biggest issue with them is that if it makes your life too difficult it isn’t going to be sustainable, and foodist is all about having a routine you can live with. I have juice occasionally, but find it too cumbersome to make it daily. I eat vegetables to make up for it 🙂
Flax is a great addition to your juices, and I recommend adding it while juicing to grind it up, otherwise they’ll pass through undigested.
Vitamix is incredibly powerful, but I don’t think it is a significant detriment to the benefits of juicing. The added fiber is a huge bonus.
Good luck and welcome to Summer Tomato!
I recently signed up for Vemma to start getting my vitamins. My buddy signed up for the business aspect of it, he says he makes great money, but I was interested in the content of Vemma antioxidants.
Right now, when I drink one can of Verve, it’s like getting:
2 Oranges
9 Avacados
3 Stalks of Broccoli
55 Eggs
1 cup of spinach
3 cups of spinach
19 medium bananas
62oz cheddar cheese
5 large potatoes
61 cups of tomatoes
2 large watermelons
17oz cherries
and 37 medium mushrooms.
I’ve been drinking it for 3 weeks and going to the gym, keeping up with my work-outs and I’ve got to say I feel a lot better. More energy, fresh all the time.
I’m wondering if you’ve had any experience with their products?
They have other products, like for losing weight, and something called “NEXT” for Children.
So far so good, just thought I would share and see if anyone is getting good results like me! 🙂
Take care,
Gary
I really love my Omega 8006. It can be a bit slow but it is solid and really squeezes the pulp dry. The omega 8005 is similar. I found this comparison on squidoo helpful when choosing which model.
http://www.squidoo.com/omega-j8006-juicer-reviews-and-best-price-is-it-worth-the-cost
I suggest to read Green for life by victoria boutenko and especially her book on Green Smoothies from http://www.amazon.com. There is a lot to learn from what makes sense to you and what feels right for you. Do what is best in your favor for either considering blending your greens and get the best out of it(not only in victoria boutenko’s green smoothies but has soup blending recipes).
Few good examples like for beginners to start she shows you step by step to overcome and to benefit the best you can get out of your green smoothies. And like others in the comments above you can use low-glycemic(low sugar for those especially watching their sugar level) are fruits like apples and any berries to throw in your green smoothies.
Vitamix blender is a great choice because of the horse power. But i suggest those on a budget is to check out the new Ninja 24mph(has exact power or so to the vitamix blender power). Then again, you dont need a real expensive blender to start your green smoothie. Any blender works great says Victoria Boutenko. She just makes a suggestion to the vitamix and her book she explains in her book concisely why the stronger horse power makes a huge difference of the blendin process compare to the other less power-motor. Its like a thousand times the blender chews up the food more than we can chew to better help for our digestion.
I recommend the book for anyone who takes a curiosity or to better there knowledgement on improving there green smoothies(meaning green leafs with fruits) but to do add more room for improvingi their wealth in health is a lifetime of good wellness throughout life.
We are still discovering and improving more better choices than it was few years ago. Im happy many are wantin to make those choices not only in themselves but to share the health and wellness with everyone they loved around their life.:)! And thanks to those who share their knowledge in unselfish ways to others who are open to their teachings.
Okay, i get carried away from here. I want to add here that remember veggies are best to eat NOT in smoothie forms. They are starchy and again victoria explains why greens(leafs of the plant) and fruits are better blended and she explains more about it i her green smoothies book. Just a few suggestions to know WHAT to blend vs. best not to blend.
Yet, there is a puree diet but if i were you do your research on that one. But to me and my husband, he loves blending his food and drinking his green smoothies.
Its all about preference choice and taste of the kind of lifestyle you choose what is best for you and what works for you. The green smoothies and puree works for my husband and he loves his diet. Diet means “what you eat” not “lose weight”. Look it up. What you consume in food is your diet. But smoothies maybe not the best choice for someone who has no interest in consuming their food blended but will eat in whole because it just makes sense to them to enjoy that way.
Whatever feels right to eat your diet in any form whether blending,juicing(those “juicing” meant for those with sensitive stomach where they cant really digest the fiber from leafy greens or veggies in a masticating chewer machine) steaming, broiling,roasting, or eating raw…as long you are happy how you prep and and enjoy your healthy diet.
Make the right choice for yourself investing in your health along with common sense and your gut feeling. As long it is YOUR CHOICE and yes you do have a choice says so Anthony Robbins himself.
Exercise, just like any diet, not every excercise workout routine are not the same or as workable for every individual. Some require a limit on exercise do to age, health condition(example heart patient)weight,surgeries, or anything that prevents those to be able after their doctor states their examination on their physical wellbeing.
In a way do enjoy your exercise routine just like consuming your diet. And remember to have fun while your a it. If you think jogging or walking on a trendmill is boring or unmotivated but found swimming sounds more fun to workout (and its ok with your doctor if nothing prevents you from swimming) why not having fun working out that into your routine of exercising.
Likewise diet too! Whatever motivates and drives you to get those veggies, fruits, and greens in your diet the most!
Remember. We all have a choice. It is up to use what is best for our way to live a full life in wealth of health.
I apologize if i dont correct myself on well grammar or spellings. But i hope my point gets acrosse. Yes grammar and paragraphs are my best friends to have them but im on a iphone just typing away and curious on the topic. It really shows how being absolute:free from perfection. But im happy enough to share a piece of knowledge and hope it helps but what can i say, within time i promise to myself to do better improvising and word of say improvement on it. Under construction of my barable flaws.lol!
I really enjoyed reading your post on tips for juicing. I never knew much about juicing until I did a health and wellness video for a class at Arizona State University. I though you could take a look at our video on the Myths of Juicing. Ever since the video my boyfriend has been juicing everyday, but he only uses a blender because he doesn’t have a juicer. I noticed many people my age can’t afford an expensive juicer and found out that most people like using a blender because you get the same amount of nutrients and they like the texture (kind of like a smoothie)! If you could check out our video it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very
much!It doesn’t go into a great deal of detail about it, but we are just trying to promote our video the best that we can. Thank you!!!
This blog entry is vapid.
If you’re concerned about calories, not all are created equal like a calorie counter lists on paper – it’s called ‘ANDI.’ Bioavailability and yields matter.
If you’re concerned about ‘feeling full’ you should know that hunger is triggered when a person is nutritionally deficient – no matter how much is consumed a person can still experience cravings when the nutritive values are low.
Also, cellulose is an inefficient fiber compared to many others a person could eaily add to their diet, like flax or whole grain oat or chia or psyllium or legumes or nuts.
Most juice masters suggest blending fruits or eating them whole rather than ‘juicing’ them, but even juiced fruits are a serious upgrade to any commercially processed packaged beverage. Pome fruits (apple), kiwi and mango etc. etc. have fiber too – it still doesn’t mean you can digest it or it has nutritive value.
Additionally, if a person was terribly concerned about these myths you’re perpetuating (for your ego? or you enjoy preaching BS without credentials?), they old always moderate or keep a journal and discuss their results with a nutritionist or their doctor.
Crikey, why did you write it? It’s premised on such antiquated, disproven nutritional modalities that I’m wondering why you didn’t suggest I try hot jars and blood lettings to improve my ‘vapors.’
In regard to all this Vitamix talk. I found a neat solution to have the best of both worlds with the Vitamix. It takes a little extra work, but after using my parents juicer it really cant be to much more. Take all your veggies/fruit throw them in the blender. add a tiny bit of water. maybe a few ice cubes so the Vitamix does not heat up your blend. Take some nylons cut them about a 12′ long tie a knot at the end. get a mixing bowl out. Pour your blend into the Tights/Nylons and squeeze. And there you go Juice. empty the pulp and wash. A jucier might do it better, but in my experiance you get more juice out of your veggies this way. the more you do it the faster the whole process takes. Like I said, maybe a little longer than the juicer but if i could have just one Machine Vitamix/Total blender are Kings!
Which juicer yields atleast 90 to 95 percent juice from fruits and veggetables
Thanks for this article! I’m going to purchase a juicer soon, so I really loved it and will bookmark it. 🙂
I have IBS, so eating healthy for me means serious tummy issues, as I cannot properly digest that type of food currently (I still eat it in large quantities though!). So, I think juicing would be an excellent way for a person with my issues to still get those nutrients without all of the pain. I personally eat SO healthy typically that I have trouble reaching my daily recommended calories, so I’m very excited!! 🙂
Juicing can stall weight loss? No, juicing is an incredibly effective kickstart for weight loss. People don’t get fat from all the those fruits and veggies they’re consuming. The recommended ratio is 12 oz. 80% veggie 20% fruit four times daily with the occasional all fruit indulgence. Anyone following this juicing plan is practically guaranteed weight loss.
I use and highly recommend the Nutribullet mentioned in other comments. I love it! It is like the Vitamix, a powerful blender that includes the skin and pulp – a great for fiber and nutrients as well! It’s about $100 which seems cheaper than many of the other juicers/ blenders. Clean up is a breeze! Simply wash the blade and the container turns into your glass to drink.
Thanks, Darya for information and cautions. I’m agree, it’s really need for everyone thinking of buying juicer to decide if it well appropriate for them. I also don’t like all this waste going from fruits and vegetables after juicing. Now I’m using blender and like it’s smoothies very much. I see a lot of times at the markets that people selling the squeezed juices puts carrots and other vegetables into the water before juicing. So they’re more juicy. What do you think?
I see a lot of people recommending the Vitamix blender, but I thought I read an article about how you can actually make a cooked soup with the Vitamix because it spins so fast it generates enough friction to actually cook the vegetables. When juicing, it is really important that the temperature stays very low so it doesn’t ‘cook’ the enzymes which are one of the most important factors of juicing.
I have an autoimmune disease so juicing and blenders are a must for me. I also don’t like the cleanup that goes with it, but I found a video that shows a guy cleaning it up in under five minutes. If you want to see the video, go here:
http://www.squidoo.com/breville-800jexl-best-price-for-you
I have an auto immune diseases too. I have always been aneamic but have recently found supplementing my diet with juiced green veggies feels really good, I feel energetic. Looking forward to seeing if it has effected my blood results.
So I’m not sure of the scientific basis for this, only my personal experience tells me it’s worth all that cleaning up!
I just purchased the Nutribullet today & I can’t wait to get it. I wanted something easy to clean and inexpensive in case it didn’t work out. HSN has it on sale for under $100 & free s&h! I’m excited and ready to start feeling better! I’ve written down some of the recipes that were posted & I’m headed to the grocery store later. I was excited before I stumbled upon this website but now after reading the comments about losing weight and feeling better I REALLY can’t wait to get it!! I just hope I can get the family on board… 🙂
Yeah right! you should say, this is your own paranoid opinion, but you made it sounds like you are some sort of know it all. Are you a scientist and did research about this in the lab? Sure, you are not. There are more sugar in juice than real fruit? Then you must read about juice from bottles. And what fiber that is missing? Do you really think that the harsh streaks fiber from body of fruits and veggies will absorb in human body our body remain as is, IMO, our body is made up of liquid cells and juicing will help the liver with work load.