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!
LOVE this post! I have seen people juice all over the blog world, but never really knew whether it was actually a good investment or not. They always made it look so easy, but whenever I’d google juicers, I’d be totally turned off by the price. What a great, HONEST post about cosindering juicing!
Ah juicing. Personally, I don’t juice myself. My roommate owns a juicer and I have been thinking about bringing it out to try my hand at it. Here and there when I am starting to feel sick or just feel like my body needs some extra nutrients, I will buy a juice but they are so expensive I try not to make that a habit.I think juicing has some great benefits as long as its done in moderation!
Never really thought about the lack of fiber in relation to losing weight. I am not a huge juice fan in general but I have heard good things about it.
I love to juice. I go through phases where I’ll juice a lot and then I won’t for a while, but it is great for using up those vegetables before they go bad. Sometimes if it’s a vegetable I don’t quite like I can juice them and enjoy the juice.
i am looking into buying a new juicer, and the hamilton beach big mouth juicer is one that i’m seriously considering!! does it do well with greens, crunchier produce like carrots and softer stuff like pineapple? i love the juicer that i have now because it is a champ when it comes to greens, but it can’t handle carrots, pineapple, pear or beats…i really want to buy something that can do it all 🙂
My mom gave me a juicer in the spring and I used it a couple of times before I moved it to the hallway closet. It’s not that I’m opposed to juicing but it takes time (prep, cleanup) and, as you said, it can be quite costly! I like the idea of adding veggies that add more juice into the combination 🙂
PS – I like that you’re discussing this topic. I go back and fourth with whether or not I should start juicing again. I may as well since I have one – even if just once a week 🙂
i go through periods where i juice. it’s really about leftover produce, like you said. I love it but it does require a little extra $ if you do it daily. But man, i love the natural sweetness and i feel amazing when i add it to me daily diet!
I’ve been wanting to take up juicing for a couple months now… however I’m waiting until Christmas. You see, my MIL is getting me a juice.. so I have to wait 🙂 Ha!
Great evaluation, Liz! As you know, I’ve recently gotten back into juicing and love it! I still, however, snub my nose at weight loss plans that suggest juices as meal replacements. Juices should supplement a diet, never replace!!
I love fresh juice but I don’t know that I like it enough to buy a juicer. Our apartment isn’t huge and storage is already an issue. I bought a Yonanas maker and a large Veggie Spiraliser and both are taking up A LOT of kitchen space!
Love this post though lots of interesting and true facts about juicing 🙂
Have a great weekend!