Extracting juice from fruits and vegetables is an easy and affordable way to get vitamins, minerals and nutrients into a consumable form. Both adults and children can benefit from this simple process, making a healthy lifestyle even more accessible. Whether juicing with a hand-operated grinder, a home kitchen appliance, or a commercial device, the benefits will be obvious and immediate.
If storing your juice, use only air tight containers to avoid the damage from oxidation. Refrigerate your juice and as a little helper, add in just a little bit of lemon juice to help keep your juice as fresh as possible. Following these steps should lead you to still have tasty, healthy juice even hours after you did the juicing.
When making large amounts of juice at once, make sure to take breaks to clean out the pulp and let the juicer rest. Not only will the pulp start slipping in after a while, but you’ll also prolong the life of your juicer. One break every couple pounds of produce is a safe bet.
You don’t have to buy a fancy juicer to start juicing, you can use a blender or food processor just to get the hang of it. In fact, a food processor can do just as good a job as a juicer! I also picked up an inexpensive citrus juicer, though, as I found doing it manually hurt my hands.
Juicing for the fridge is a great idea, however, you will want to prevent color change in the juice. If juice has transitioned from a nice bright red to a dull brown, no one will drink it. Try juicing half a lemon into the juice you plan to store. The flavor won’t be affected by this tiny bit of lemon juice, but the color of the fruit or vegetable juice will be preserved.
Juicing is a great way to drink all the nutrients you need for the day, but you also have to be conscious of the amount of sugars you’re taking in. If you’re having a drink with a lot of fruit or high-glycemic vegetables, drink less than you would if it were mostly low-glycemic items.
Let color be your guide for variety. You will want to keep your juicing varied so as to not get bored with it. Incorporate a variety of colors in your fruits and vegetables as a sort of juicing palette from which to create. Just remember to know the nutrient content from each source and enjoy the rainbow.
To lose weight quickly but healthfully, try juicing. Simply replace one to two meals per day with fresh green juice. There are countless recipes available online, but you can make your own by mixing a green leafy vegetable with one or two fruits. You will be getting more vitamins and minerals than the average American, but fewer calories.
When it comes to juicing, one thing that you want to keep in mind is that one of the most important and difficult parts is choosing the juicer that you are going to use. It is important to buy one that will suit your needs, but also remain within your price range.
It’s just as important to consume a rainbow of different fruits and vegetables in your juicing endeavors as it is in your daily meals. Make sure to use a wide variety of produce so that you can be sure you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients that you need every single day.
When figuring out your recipes and buying produce at the market, remember that approximately one pound of vegetables and fruit will lead to one cup of juice. Softer fruits will yield about as much juice as is equal to their weight as they won’t lose much pulp, while harder vegetables will produce a lot of pulp and produce less juice.
Drinking vegetable juice can help you maintain the pH levels in your body which is immensely helpful in staying healthy. Keeping your pH in the correct balance can help you avoid maladies such as cancer, leading to a longer, healthier, happier life. The little extra effort it takes to juice can change your life forever!
One tip in order to keep the nutrients in the juice preserved even when storing it is to use air tight containers. Another tip with regards to preservation is to add a few drops of lemon to it and keeping the juice refrigerated. The longer the juice is stored, the less nutritious it becomes.
Masticating juicers are the best juicers available. This type of juicer can also mill flower, grind nuts, puree fruit, and even create tasty desserts. This allows you to change up your juicing routine in a delicious way.
Don’t throw away the pulp that is left after juicing! You can make excellent dehydrated crackers out of it which will contain all the fiber that doesn’t make it to your juice. It can also be used in pie crust, if you so desire. Never waste anything that is still good for you!
After using nuts in your juicer, save the pulp to add to nut butter. Raw foods are so good for you, and making your own nut butters is as good for you as making your own juices! Almond, cashew, or even peanut butter is better when it’s not laden with sodium and preservatives!
If you want to have a juice that tastes like a commercial smoothie, add some vanilla! Skip the extract and go for the real thing – scrape a vanilla pod and enjoy the smooth, creamy flavor it imparts on the final product. If you really want to fulfill the smoothie experience, add a little non-fat, unsweetened yogurt to your drink.
Using these tips will ensure a smooth transition from taking fruits and vegetables at “face value” and turning them into an easily consumable liquid form. Your family, friends and co-workers will thank you for introducing such a healthy habit to an ordinary day. Juicing is an easy, fun and beneficial addition to any lifestyle.
