Andover MN Chiropractor Explains Juicing 101

It's the beginning of year and many of our clients at ELC have been busy implementing their action plans (discussed on the Forget Resolutions teleseminar) for a healthier 2013. One of the recurring topics I hear involves "juicing". Below are my answers to the most common questions I've been asked about juicing in Andover MN.

Why Juicing?

Would it be better to just eat the fruits and vegetables? Perhaps, but you would have to eat several pounds of produce to equal the nutrition in a single glass of juiced fruits and vegetables. Think of juicing as a way to hyper-nourish your body with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that are vital to health. Juicing should be used in addition to (not instead of) eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

Is a juicer different than a blender? Yes. A juicer separates out the pulp/fiber, whereas a blender does not. This is why you can easily drink the nutrients of several pounds of fruits and vegetables in a single glass.

How to Get Started Juicing in Andover MN

What's a good juicer to buy? I did an exhaustive amount of research (as I always do) before purchasing my first juicer. Basically there are two types: centrifugal and masticating. Centrifugal involves high-speed sheering. Masticating is low-speed grinding. Masticating is a better method of extracting in terms of quantity and quality of the juice. However, masticating juicers are typically twice the cost of centrifugal juicers. I have personally used a Breville Juice Fountain (centrifugal) and Omega Vert (masticating) and was very satisfied with both.

What should I put in my juice? In general, you want your juice to consist of more vegetables than fruits. Fruits have more sugar in them, which will spike your insulin. I encourage you to get creative and experiment with different combinations. There are plenty of recipes online and in our ELC Clean Eating Cookbook!

What if I don't want to invest the time, money, or energy into juicing? A more convenient option for some people is a product called Juice Plus. It is a blend of 17 different fruits and vegetables that have been juiced and dehydrated. I actually use this product in addition to juicing AND eating 7+ servings of fruits and vegetables every day. For more information,  ask me at your next appointment.

I am a HUGE advocate of juicing, and NO, I'm not a hippie!! Trust me; your body will thank you when you supply it with an abundance of fruits and vegetables.