To Juice or Not to Juice?

Home-made juice is one of the best ways to fuel your body. Truth be told, depending on when and what you’re juicing, the benefits can be special. The best time to enjoy fresh juice is on an empty stomach. For some of us, that’s shortly after waking up in the morning. If it’s the middle of the day or hours before bed, make sure you’re hungry and not just bored or emotional. Seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables contain nutrients in plenteousness. Vitamins, minerals and enzymes are easily absorbed into your bloodstream when there are no other foods in the stomach to digest. Live enzymes in the produce convert food into body tissue. Yeah, that’s kinda important. Keep reading for easy steps to thrive on juices.

K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Silly – The recipe book that comes with the average juicer is too complex. It’s not such a good idea to blend a dozen fruit and vegetable ingredients. Too many people mix the wrong combinations and then complain of digestive issues. If you’re new to juicing and raw foods in general, give your body time to adjust to the taste and the feeling. Stick with one or two fruits at a time.

D.I.Y. – Do It Yourself – Avoid poor choices at frozen yogurt and smoothie shops. You know the ones I’m referring to. The “All-natural” they promote is anything but. You’re better off thoroughly washing your own produce, slicing and blending. Many of these places will add milk, ice cream, flavored syrups and other high fat contents. While you may have walked in with healthy intentions you’re more likely to leave with a wider waistline. Invest in a quality product like NutriBullet, etc. A good juicer will allow you to enjoy all that fresh produce has to offer, especially the fiber. Fiber allows the body to regulate the speed of absorption, keeping blood sugar and insulin levels from rising too quickly.

Avoid O.D. – Overdose – Your jaw muscles are just like any other muscle in your body. They need exercise to maintain form and function. Contrary to popular belief, a double chin is not an inevitable result of aging. It is a sign of underused muscles. Most cooked foods are easy to swallow with little actual chewing. Ever try swallowing a raw salad? Trust me, it won’t end well. Instead of juicing every meal, make sure you take the time to enjoy at least one large, raw, green salad every day.

Don’t believe the hype. Juicing is not a trend. It’s a life-long way of living for those looking to stay healthy. Fresh juice aids the body in weight loss and maintenance, increasing strength of the immune, muscular and skeletal system, improving skin complexion, and overall energy levels. Synthetic vitamins created in a laboratory are imitations of what is naturally found in plants. Keep it real and get some plant-based antioxidants in your life today!