Juicing- Myths and Facts
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
While the juicing craze is by no means new, it's still going really strong. But there are plenty of people doing it all for the wrong reasons.
If you enjoy juicing, make sure you've got the facts and avoid following the myths.....
Myth: Juicing helps you shed weight
While fruits and vegetables are fairly low in calories and have loads on antioxidants and vitamins, too much of anything can pile on the weight. Think of like this: every half a cup of fruit has around 60 calories. So juicing around 4 to 5 cups gives you 480 to 600 calories in a single serving. If you're trying to lose weight through juicing, you still need to consider your portions. What's more diets that claim juicing alone aren't at all balanced. There's no protein, for starters.
Myth: Juicing is the ideal way to cleanse the body
Our kidneys and liver are designed to naturally cleanse and detoxify the body. Consuming special concoctions or just juicing isn't going to do a better job.
Myth: Juicing provides a punch-full of vitamins
Sure fruit and veg contain tons of Vitamin C as well as a few B-vitamins but those are easily destroyed when slicking, juicing as well as cooking. If you want to get the most vitamins out of your juice, prepare your ingredients right before drinking. The skin of fruits and veg are extremely nutrient-rich but these are usually peeled away before juicing and you're left with a fibre-rich pulp.
Myth: You need an expensive machine to do things right
There's no need to invest all you have in an expensive juicer. Most fruits can be juiced in an ordinary blender. In fact, if you're just starting out on a juicing journey, start with the blender in your cupboard. If you find you really enjoy juicing then shop around for a reasonably priced machine.
Myth: Juicing is far better than consuming whole fruits or vegetables
There's actually nothing better than munching away on whole fruits and veg. While die-hard juicers claim that juicing gives the digestive tract a much needed rest (and yes it does, especially from fibre), most people don't even come close to consuming the recommended 25 to 40 grams of fibre every day.
Myth: Drinking the juice with little (or no) fibre will help the body better absorb nutrients
The body needs fibre in order to maintain an optimally-functioning digestive system. The fibre-rich pulp will help to make you feel fuller quicker and for longer, so you avoid those hunger pangs that have you reaching for the chips. Fibre also lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of numerous conditions such as heart disease, constipation and cardiovascular disease. By drinking juice with very little to no fibre you blood pressure can go through dramatic spikes and that in turn leads to irritability, fatigue and headaches. The rule of thumb is to listen to your body. If you're starving after limiting your meal plan, don't force yourself to carry on with it, adjust until you're comfortable.
Myth: All juices are created equal
If you're enjoying your juices at a health food store or juice bar, make sure you read the labels carefully. It may well be you're drinking a bottle of sugar that's been smartly disguised as a healthy product. Look out for juices that are heavy of the vegetables and light on fruit so that you avoid those sugar spikes and keep your calories in check.
The Bottom Line......
There really isn't anything wrong with sipping on freshly prepared juice once in a while. But juicing along is not a healthy cure-all remedy. If you want to embark on a juice cleanse, don't use it as an excuse to binge on junk food afterwards, either. Instead, skip the full-on juice fast and enjoy your juice with or instead of a meal every now and then.