Juicing is a great lifestyle choice, as it can improve both the state of your health and your waistline. Like anything, however, there are certain things you need to know. The advice in this article should be helpful to you on your “juicing journey”, whether you are a new or veteran juicer.
Juicing is a great way to remain healthy and have fun creating your own concoctions. Using fresh fruits and vegetables to create your own juice can ensure that you are getting the vitamins and nutrients you want or need without all the sugar or preservatives. This is also a way to save a lot of money on juice!
If you must store your juice in the fridge, add a tablespoon of lemon juice. This small amount of lemon juice shouldn’t have a major effect on the flavor, but it will keep this juice from becoming discolored as it sits, creating a more appetizing effect. Always try to make your juice just before you drink it, for maximum health benefits.
When preparing for a juice diet, make sure to stock a LOT of fresh fruits and vegetables! On average, it takes 4.4 pounds of raw fruits and vegetables to make just a single quart of juice, so you’ll need lots. Also make sure to get a large variety of ingredients so that you don’t get bored with the same old juice.
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.
Adding vegetables to your juice is a wonderful idea for getting more nutrients. Any type of leafy green is going to give you a stronger flavor; if you want to mask the taste of the veggies, try using cucumbers. You don’t even need to peel them before putting them through your juicer, and they won’t overpower the taste.
When starting to juice it’s better to start slow. Use flavors you already know you like and don’t try new things until you know you’re ready. Start by mixing new flavors, like wheat grass, with fruit you’ve already been drinking. Soon enough you’ll be able to move on to pro recipes!
Juicing is the best-tasting way to make sure you’re getting all the daily servings of fruit and vegetables that you need. You can mix them together in a combination that will provide any nutrient you need, and it will taste good no matter what you include. The whole family can sip and enjoy!
When juicing for your health you should drink the juice as soon as it’s made. Refrigerating the juice or leaving it on the counter will allow it to lose nutrients as they break down within the juice. Drinking it immediately will be just like eating all those fresh ingredients whole!
Carrots don’t need to be peeled before you juice them, but you can’t eat their leaf greens as they’re toxic to humans. Rhubarb is also an excellent item to juice, but its greens are also bad for you. Make sure to read about what greens are okay or even healthy to eat, which could make you sick, BEFORE experimenting!
Did you know that juice can help you supress your appetite? Having a glass of vegetable juice will provide you with a ton of nutrients, but it will also fill your stomach and make your body think that you’ve just engaged in a heavy meal. The fiber in vegetables keep you feeling full for a long time, curbing your temptation to eat.
Sugar is bad for your teeth, and so is chewing on sugar cane, but did you know that sugar cane JUICE is actually GOOD for your teeth? Add it to any vegetable juice you’d like sweetened and it can help prevent tooth decay while tasting absolutely great in the resulting product!
If you must use non-organic fruits and vegetables in your juicing, peel it. It is not safe to ingest the skin even if you clean it well. Heavy metals and other dangerous things can permeate the skin, meaning cleaning won’t actually remove it. The skin of fruit and vegetables is very good for you, so you are much better off buying organic and including its skin in your juices.
Some people claim that mixing fruit and vegetables in your juice leads to indigestion as the enzymes required to break down fruit are very different than those to break down vegetables. I, personally, have never had a problem, but if you find you have any tummy upset after drinking a mixed juice then you should probably stick to one or the other.
Jerusalem artichokes are an excellent addition to the juice you make as they will kill any craving your sweet tooth throws at you! They aren’t the most flavorful food, though, so add other items like lemon juice and carrot to make a drink that you’ll enjoy and will keep you healthy.
When you get really serious about juicing you may wish to purchase a smaller second fridge just for your produce. This will leave you room in your main fridge for solid foods and condiments. If you get really serious, you may be able to move your solid foods to the smaller fridge! That’s probably a healthier way to live.
Drinking fresh, homemade juice can help you lose weight and deal with a myriad of health issues. With the tips from this article, you are now ready to get started with this great diet change. Go buy some fresh produce or grow your own. Enjoy your “juicing journey!”
