To juice, or not to juice?

Thanks to intern Gabrielle Bodine for her work on this blog and the associated social media posts. Gabrielle is a dietetics student at the University of Delaware.

At the start of the year you may be feeling inspired to implement some new healthy habits. Have you looked into juicing? With busy lives and hectic schedules, the idea of making fresh juice at home may sound tempting. First consider if this homemade juice is any different from the bottled options at the store? Spoiler alert: it’s not! 

Juice appears to be a very healthy option as a delicious drink made up of fruits and vegetables. Looking into the nutrition labels show that the sugar content in many juices is very high. For example, the label on a Power C Machine drink by Naked Juices shows a whopping forty-four grams of sugar in one serving! 

Juices made at home can have similarly high sugar content, but making some adjustments can provide a more nutritious beverage. Adding in a balance of fruits with vegetables is a great idea for  someone who has trouble eating vegetables everyday. Another tweak to juicing is to use a protein powder in juices to help you feel more satisfied.  Check out the recipe below for a Green Smoothie that combines our recommendations!

As with most things, juices are okay in moderation, but overconsumption has its issues. Juice cleanses and detoxes can lead to serious problems such as an unhealthy obsession with food intake, nutrient deficiencies, and spikes in blood sugar due to the high sugar content of the juice. 

Follow along on social (Facebook and Instagram) to learn more about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and how to incorporate them in a variety of ways!

Resources:

Learn more about juicing in Healthline’s article

Green smoothie recipe with protein, veggies, and fruits