The health benefits of juicing are resounding to say the least. Though many of you may be considering juicing, it can be overwhelming for those that are just beginning the process. From initial purchase to methods and cleaning, this article will provide you with tips and advice you need to get started in the world of juicing.
If you are worried about getting enough protein in your diet, add spinach and broccoli to your juices. Both of these vegetables provide enough vegetable protein for the short-term to satisfy your body’s needs. Most people get more than enough protein in their daily diet, and don’t need to worry about adding protein sources such as soy to their juice.
If you’re creating juice for any health reasons, try adding dark leafy greens to them. Your goal should be for the juice to approximately somewhere around 50-75% of the broccoli, spinach, or other in order maximize the health benefits. Use fruit juices for the remainder of your drink to enhance the sweetness and taste.
Make sure and remove the greens from items like carrots and rhubarb. They can contain harmful chemicals that become toxic when juiced. Make sure to research all of your fruits, veggies and other items before juicing them so that you are aware of any important do’s and don’ts before starting.
Put all your fruit on one shelf in your refrigerator, preferably the top shelf. This way, nutrition and juicing will be the first thing on your mind when you open your refrigerator every day. You’ll also be able to keep an eye on how fresh the fruit is, and remind yourself to use it before it decays.
Make sure you always have the ingredients you need for juicing. Also, make them as visible as possible in your refrigerator or on the counter. If you forget they’re there you might not use them, leading them to spoil and end up thrown out. Keep your turnover high so you’re using the freshest ingredients possible.
If you’re serious about juicing, you should dedicate a cool, dark area of your house to storing produce which can be kept long-term. For example, apples can be kept in the garage over the winter as long as they’re not allowed to freeze. Just wash them, get rid of any bad ones, and store them in a covered but breathable container.
Get the best juicer for your money. Quality in juicers is no laughing matter. Target a juicer that you can afford of course, but also look for reviews on the juicer. You will want a juicer that is quiet, highly efficient and also easy to clean. Having a quality juicer will make juicing much more enjoyable in the long run.
While you can keep the skin on fruit like apples or pears when you juice, some fruit actually have toxic skin. For example, citrus zest is fine for you, but the white part is bitter for a reason! Mango and papaya also have skin which is toxic to humans, so don’t include that in your juice.
When it comes to juicing, one thing that you want to keep in mind is that you need to give yourself variety. This is important because just about anybody will lose interest if they are consuming the same thing every day. Mix it up and keep it exciting!
If you want to juice while pregnant, ask your doctor about the fruit, vegetables, and other spices and additives you use to ensure they’re all healthy for your baby, too. For example, there are some herbs that are often found in teas which can lead to spontaneous abortion! Double check to make sure that what you ingest is okay.
When using juice to curb your appetite before meals, DON’T include coriander or basil! They’re both appetite stimulants, so while they’re great for people who are receiving treatment for cancer and aren’t ever hungry, they’re not good for anyone who is trying to reduce their solid food intake. Stick to parsley or mint instead.
If you want to embark on a juice fast, keep the following tips in mind to ensure you do it safely. Drink at least 32 to 64 ounces of juice a day to keep your energy levels up so you won’t feel sluggish. Drink water in between juices, and dilute the juice by two-thirds at “meal” times. ONLY use organic produce while fasting so you can include the skin.
Juicing and coupon use can go hand in hand, as long as you know what you’re doing. There are many coupons available for fruit, in fact I have some here right now for lemons and bananas. Use them when the fruit is on sale to increase your discount and keep as much money in your pocket as possible.
One great way to get kids involved in juicing is by having them pick the fruits and vegetables you use! You can take them to a farm to choose their own apples, or to a farmer’s market. Give them each $5 and let them pick whatever they’d like to try. Have them choose one or two ingredients and then you can supply the base, like leafy green vegetables. Don’t ever say they chose the wrong thing, just use less of it so no one will notice if it’s not tasty.
There are numerous benefits to juicing. Not only do you get the nutrition your body needs, but by juicing your own produce, you are completely in control of the ingredients you decide to ingest. By following the tips and advice in this article, you will be on your way to a healthier and more active life.
