Juicing 101 - What you need to know

About a week and half ago I listened to a webinar on juicing by my colleague, Tara Gidus. I had told you that I was going to post the notes from this and I'm just now getting to it. So sorry! Here is what you need to know about juicing.

Why Juice? 

• Juicing is an easy way to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
• Juices are very easily absorbed by the body.
• Juices are "live food" meaning that all the enzymes are present. Pasteurization can damage many enzymes and nutrients in commercial juices. These enzymes have health benefits.
• Juicing gives you total control - no artificial ingredients, colorings, or sweeteners.

Types of Juicers

• Citrus juicers - the most basic type and only for oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes
• Centrifugal juicers - the most common home use juicer
• Triturating Juicer - utilizes a slower motor.
• Masticating Juicer - utilizes a faster motor
• Blender

Here is a link for a Consumer Reports article on types of juicers.

Things to Know

• Juicing does concentrate sugar from fruits but it comes with wonderful nutrients too. Commercial juices have added sugar where home juices have no added sugar.
• Fresh juice is best consumed immediately but can last up to 24 hours in refrigeration. 
• Wheat grass requires an advanced, professional grade juicer. 
• Juice should not be the main the source of food in your diet but rather a way to increase produce consumption.
• Leftover pulp from juicing can be used for compost or thrown into a smoothie for added fiber.

Techniques and Tips

• Wash all produce thoroughly before juicing. 
• Use seasonal produce for the most nutrients.
• Experiment with fresh herbs and spices. 

So now I must ask, do you juice? Will you juice? Have you been thinking about juicing? Please comment with your thoughts.

Comments

[James Freeman]

As a nutritionist, I'm always recommending people who otherwise don't consume a lot of fruit and vegetables to start juicing. It's a great way of getting the essential nutrients and vitamins you need, and it can be fun inventing your own drinks as well.