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 don’t juice at all, but I know my mother does every day. I wanted to give it a try, but Im not a fan of vegetables mixed together, maybe Ill just need to combine the best ones. This is very helpful, Ill consider maybe juicing.
-Vogue&Heels
http://www.vogueandheels.com
I have the same juicer but have never had any success juicing Kale or spinach. do you have a secret?
Love this post, Liz! A juicer will definitely be on my Christmas list this year 🙂
Aw thanks! I really like the one I have!
It always bothers me when people say they are juicing just to lose weight. Juicing has so many other health benefits! Plus you can NOT live on juice alone.
Exactly! It’s healthy but it’s not all about weight loss!
This post has really helped me. I’ve wanted to juice for a long time & the only thing stopping me is the cost- not of the juicer, but all of the produce. But, I think it’s a good investment. Hopefully, I’ll get a juicer for Christmas!
xo,
Tiffany
shoeschampagne.blogspot.com
Let me know if you get one! I can give you some of my favorite recipes 🙂
Wait… so you’re saying you love vegetables? Just kidding! Thanks for sharing this info. I’ve been going back and forth with whether I want to purchase a juicer, but I think right now I’m going to refrain because I just can’t afford to make the purchase and keep with the the cost of produce for the juice. Still, it might help me cut back on food waste like you mentioned. Eventually I hope to get one!
I’ve wanted a juicer for a while now but it hasn’t been in the budget, priority wise. Yours is definitely affordable though.
I like how you listed the pros and cons; it actually made me question whether it would be right for me or not. Don’t get me wrong, I love a yummy healthy juice but do I want to spend the extra time and money on it? I’m not so sure. I’ll think I’ll stick to eating my veggies for now and maybe if my circumstances change later, I’ll invest in a juicer. Thanks for the honest information!
I have the exact same juicer and i absolutely love it. I had just expression my view on juicing the other day @Khushoos blog too how it should not be a meal replacement but a nutrient enhancer. I hate the cleaning part but other than that – i try to juice 2-3 times a week.
Lovely post Liz! I’m with you and think juicing is fantastic and a great way to clean out the crisper for sure! Everything in moderation and I am the same with juicing too – it can be a lifesaver when the tummy feels tired for sure!
You know I love my juicer!! My husband and I juice together so it helps reduce the amount of work it takes. He makes juice and I clean the juicer. I am guilty of not getting enough greens during the day, so juicing for me is a great way to start the day, plus the kick of ginger wakes me up! I have a Breville that I bought off another blogger.