Juicing is a great way to pack more nutritional content into your diet. Combining fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables into delicious juices is both fun and easy. A few tall glasses of juice a day can mean a world of difference to your health. If you’re not sure where to begin, this article can help you get started in juicing.
Don’t forget to wash your produce prior to juicing, and use organic products where possible. So many people seem to think that since it’s going to turn into juice, they don’t need to wash their fruits and veggies. Just because it’s liquid, doesn’t mean the chemicals present on the peels are going to go away. Clean your fruits and vegetables thoroughly before juicing.
When preparing for a juice diet, make sure to stock a LOT of fresh fruits and vegetables! On average, it takes 4.4 pounds of raw fruits and vegetables to make just a single quart of juice, so you’ll need lots. Also make sure to get a large variety of ingredients so that you don’t get bored with the same old juice.
If you are getting into juicing for health benefits, you need to remember to drink all your juice in one sitting. The second the juice is made, it will start to lose some nutrients. The faster you can drink it, the more of the health benefits you will be receiving.
Always wash your juicer immediately after you are done using it. Certain vegetables and fruits can stain your equipment if you let it sit too long.
The best rule for getting into juicing is that the juicer should be out and visible all the time. This will remind you to use it, and also make it easier to use so you don’t skip it because you don’t want to lug it out. Keeping it in sight will also keep it in mind.
Try vegetables mixed with your favorite fruits in your juicer. Many vegetables are easy to juice. They can add important vitamins and minerals to your juice as well. In addition, using vegetables can cut down on the calorie count of your juice, which in turn, makes it a better diet option.
Research the nutrients you need to be taking in to choose which vegetables, fruit, and plants you should be consuming. You don’t have to have every single one every single day, instead spread your nutrient consumption out over a week. For example, if you need beta carotene you can have carrots every other day.
If you can’t afford to juice with organic fruit and vegetables, don’t worry about it. It’s nice to have pesticide-free items, but you can only work with what you have available. Wash your produce in a mixture of 8 cups of water with 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and 3 tablespoons of baking soda to get all the nasty stuff off. Rinse your produce well before using.
Do not overuse vegetables that are high in oxalic acid. This acid is a contributor to kidney stones and can impact osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Vegetables such as rhubarb, char, beets and spinach contain lots of oxalic acid. Use them in moderation and avoid mixing with broccoli or other high calcium food to maintain prevention.
Did you know that juice can help you supress your appetite? Having a glass of vegetable juice will provide you with a ton of nutrients, but it will also fill your stomach and make your body think that you’ve just engaged in a heavy meal. The fiber in vegetables keep you feeling full for a long time, curbing your temptation to eat.
Make sure you drink your juices as soon as you make them. Time is important for juicing because the valuable nutrients will become oxidized when exposed to the air. So you always want to drink your juices quickly. If, for some reason you can’t, then try to store the juice in an air-tight container to minimize oxidation.
When it comes to juicing, one thing that you want to keep in mind is that when you are dealing with greens such as lettuce, it is best to stack it up in a dense pile before putting it in your juicer. This is important because you will get the most amount of juice and nutrients this way.
If you’re juicing for health, or doing a juice fast, you MUST use organic produce. Pesticides and heavy metals in the soil used to grow normal fruit and vegetables will negate any cleansing you’re trying to accomplish, wasting your money and time. Buy organic to ensure that the only pesticides used are organic and fine to ingest.
In regards to juicing, it is important to consider the fact that it is best to drink your home made juice at room temperature. This is important to consider because this temperature provides the best environment for adequate consumption of nutrients into your body. Always store your juice in a cool environment, however.
If you have a large batch of juice and need to store the juice for a while, adding drops of lemon juice is a good idea. They will act as a natural preservative and help the juice stay fresh. Also remember to keep the juice in a container that is air tight and refrigerated.
Fish oil is an excellent addition to any juice you make! It’s full of Omega-3 Fatty Acids which are essential to the human body. You need to get these from your diet; we can’t make them ourselves. Cod liver oil, evening primrose oil, and flax seeds all contain Omega-3 Fatty acids. Adding a little to your juice is a wonderful way to boost your intake.
Juicing shouldn’t be intimidating. It doesn’t require a wealth of specialized knowledge or even a lot of expensive equipment. By drinking a few glasses of nutritious juice made from fresh, organic produce each day, you can really improve your health. Use what you’ve learned in this article to get started juicing!