I was talking to some girlfriends on Sunday about juicing and it got me thinking about why people juice, and what to consider if you’re thinking about trying it. While I absolutely love juicing, I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. So let’s talk about it.

Should you juice

Investment

You’ll have to buy a juicer. I got mine for $50 on Amazon, which was a good investment for me, since I knew I would use it a lot. I use mine about 3 times a week, and even though it was a fairly inexpensive model, I really like it. It does the trick just fine. That said, if you’re not sure if you’re going to use it, it could be an investment for nothing. I know tons of people who have bought juicers and never used them. If you want to try it, ask a friend if you can borrow theirs. Chances are, they aren’t using it.

juicer

Weight Loss

I would not recommend juicing if you’re trying to lose weight. While juice is very good for you, it’s essentially fruits and vegetables without the fiber. So you’re getting the sugar from the food, but not the beneficial fiber. Granted, you’re getting lots of great nutrients, but it will not fill you up the way a salad or a piece of fruit would. So if you’re looking to replace a meal or cut down on calories, opt for a smoothie with some greens in it. You’ll stay fuller longer.

Cost

It is not cheap. It takes a lot of produce to make a glass of juice. That said, it’s cheaper than buying juice at a juice bar! Also, certain foods will give you lots more juice for your money. I always add celery or cucumbers to my juice, because they provide a lot of juice. Kale, spinach, and other greens don’t give you lots of juice, but they do give you tons of nutrients! Try a balance of each. (I love kale + cucumber + lemon + ginger!)

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Taste

If you love sweet drinks, this might not be a good option for you. Sure, juice with 3 apples in it will taste amazing, but you’re also taking in a lot of sugar, without any fiber. To really get a lot of nutrients out of your juice, you’ll have to opt for lots of greens, so it can sometimes be a little bitter. I like the taste, and I don’t usually juice any fruits. Carrots or beets are great ways to get in some sweetness without quite as much sugar as apples or oranges. Just keep that in mind!

So it might sound like I’m convincing you not to juice… oops. Let me tell you why I think juicing is a good option for me:

Leftover Produce

I buy tons of fresh fruits and vegetables each week, and sometimes I can’t use them all. Instead of throwing away the last two handfuls of kale, that bruised apple, and that lone stalk of celery, I juice it. It is a great way to use up remnants of produce!

Nutrients Galore

A glass of juice is perfect on those days when I know I’m not getting a salad, and my day ahead looks like pizza and protein bars. You can get tons of vitamins and minerals all in one glass. It’s so easy. If I don’t have time to munch down a salad, a juice gets the job done for me.

Happy Tummy

I love vegetables. Obviously. But sometimes, too many vegetables can bother my stomach. Have you ever eaten a big salad and then felt sort of bloated and cramped? Vegetables have tons of good-for-you fiber, but too many raw can give you a stomachache. Juice is a good way to get the nutrients without the stomachache.

What do you think? Is juicing worth the time and effort? Is it too expensive or too much work? Do you prefer eating your veggies? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! I really do think juicing makes sense for some people, but it’s definitely not for everyone!

 Do you juice?

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