Should You Juice?
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.
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.
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!)
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!
I wish I juiced more but unfortunately it’s such an expensive habit. When I’m feeling a cold coming on I definitely drink a lot more juices and maybe it’s just a placebo but I think it helps! Also you got your juicer for $50??? Steal!
I don’t juice, but I LOVE making green smoothies in the morning after my workout! 🙂
I don’t juice. I don’t drink smoothies either. I prefer to chew my food and meals but do enjoy a glass of green juice containing cucumber, apple and kale spinach etc. I think it’s great for some people but not for others which I guess applies to so many other food trends and meal options. Have a great weekend!
I’m not a huge DIY juicer! I do, however, love “juicing” in my Blendtec because you can use the whole fruit/veggie so there’s no waster. Albeit, it’s a little thicker than a traditional juice, but it still tastes delicious.
Good stuff to think about, thanks! I’ve been wondering if I should get a juicer or not. I’ve been relying on the old, ‘throw a handful of spinach into the smoothie’ method. Sounds like there are a lot of great reasons to consider getting a juicer, though, especially your point about leftover veggies.
I think juicing is definitely worth the time and effort. I wish there was a way for me to make fresh juices every morning for school, but I just don’t think it’s possible in my dorm room.
I have a juicer, but don’t really use it. It’s just too much of a mess factor for me! I usually rely on my morning green smoothie to get a good dose of greens/fruit for the day.
My parents used to make me fresh carrot juice on a regular basis when I was growing up, but I haven’t exactly continued the juicing habit now that I’m older. I love the idea of it, but at the same time it also seems like such a waste — all that pulp!! That being said, I honestly wouldn’t mind the occasional juice because it really is one of the most refreshing and delicious things.
I used to juice and my bf is all about it. I got too busy to juice, clean, ect but if you can do it, I highly recommend it!!!
I recently busted out my juicer again after a long hiatus. I started juicing again because, like you said, I had a lot of produce leftover and didn’t want to waste it. Also, I was throwing out a lot of veggie scraps (like the tops of carrots, kale stems, etc.) and now I can just save them in the fridge until I’m ready to juice them. It’s also just a nice way to start the day.