Fresh is always better than processed, right? Yes! That is definitely right! Fresh bread is always better than store-bought bread; freshly grated cheese is better than pre-shredded cheese, etc. Well, fruits and veggies are better fresh rather than frozen, and so are the juices that they produce. If you do not feel like eating a whole apple, orange, banana, cucumber, etc., all you have to do is juice them. Juicing fresh veggies and fruits allow all of the vitamins and antioxidants to pool together into one awesome tasting solution! This article is here to explain to you all of the benefits of juicing your fruits and veggies rather than eat them whole. You will definitely be surprised what a cup of fresh fruit juice can do for you.
Drink your juice at room temperature in order to receive maximum health benefits. Chilling your juice will make it harder for your body to digest it, and therefore reduce the amount of nutrients you absorb. Also, chilling the juice requires it to sit in a fridge or freezer, and fresh juice is best immediately after you make it.
If you are trying to make sure you stick with your healthy new juicing habit, make sure that the juice machine stays on your kitchen counter at all times. Out of sight, out of mind is especially true when it comes to trying to form new habits. By making sure your juicer is always in plain sight, you will be more likely to remember to use it every day.
Juicing needs to be the base on which you grow your entire healthy lifestyle. Make it a point of having juice every day to start you off with energy, nutrients, and a tasty breakfast. If you rely on juicing as your morning pick-me-up, you’ll be sure to get through your day!
Be aware that citrus fruits do not always work well in all juicers. Because of the consistency of the pulp in the fruit the juicer can get clogged with the pulp or rind. If using a standard juicer, peel the fruit and cut into small pieces; otherwise get a citrus juicer that you will use for these types of fruit specifically.
The best place to find the freshest produce for juicing at great prices is at a local farmer’s market. Often, they are held once a week during the summer and fall months, and you’ll find everything sold on a farm, including meat, eggs, dairy, baked goods, canned goods, and TONS of fresh fruit and vegetables!
Ask your friends and family if they’d like to go in on purchases in bulk at local farms with you so you can buy more and get larger discounts. Apple farms, for example, will sell you bushel after bushel for decreasing costs per pound. Take a few cars up, load the back with apples, and share with everyone! They don’t have to be juicers to enjoy fresh produce.
Buy a juicer that does NOT heat up any parts near the items being juiced. The heat can cause the juice to begin oxidation, leading to a breakdown of the nutrients in it. Choose a juicer that says specifically that the parts touching the juice will remain cool throughout the juicing process.
Vegetable juice contains very few calories, no fat (unless you add dairy), little sugar (unless you add a sweetener, including fruit), and lots of fiber. It will taste wonderful and provide you with all the nutrients and vitamins needed to fulfill your daily required intake. It’s also a ton of fun to make!
Make sure you drink your juices as soon as you make them. Time is important for juicing because the valuable nutrients will become oxidized when exposed to the air. So you always want to drink your juices quickly. If, for some reason you can’t, then try to store the juice in an air-tight container to minimize oxidation.
If you are new to juicing, a steadfast rule to follow is – to go slow! Start with a vegetable that you know you like. After trying that vegetable juice for a few days, you can slowly start to add in vegetables that you are unfamiliar with or not sure if you will like. By taking small amounts at a time, your body will adjust slowly to the different foods and absorb the juice in naturally.
To entice kids to join you in your juicing adventures, start with smoothies. You can add honey, yogurt, or even fruit sherbet. Always start off with at least one vegetable or fruit in the smoothie, so that when you try adding different items it won’t taste much different than the first smoothie you’ve given to them.
Sugar cane juice can help build your immune system, but chewing on the actual sugar cane can cause tooth decay. Instead, juice your sugar cane along with fruit, vegetables, and other healthy additives to get the most nutritious juices possible every single day. Juicing can taste great and help you stay healthy!
Certain juices are very potent, so contact your pediatrician before giving any juice to a small child. Some fruits can cause diarrhea in large doses, for example, so while they just keep you regular they could instead keep your child regularly in the bathroom! If you can’t get to the doctor any time soon, stick to juice that is typically sold with kids in mind, like apple and orange.
All in all, fresh is better than not fresh. Fresh foods contain no added preservatives or sugars or salts that are not necessary to your diet. Freshly juicing your fruits and veggies offer an immense amount of benefits to your body, inside and out. The next time you go and buy a bottled juice, just remember what is in there is not as good for you as you may think. Just remember to juice and reap all of the wonderful benefits!
