If you want to be healthy you need to have your fruits and vegetables in your everyday meals. These has become part of our healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables are great source of vitamins and minerals that will help you become healthier. You may eat them raw or you cook up delicious meals out of it. You may grab an apple from the fruit tray or eat fresh vegetable salad. Or cook your favorite vegetable soup or fruit dish. But these days, the health conscious have also discovered other ways to “eat” their fruits and vegetables. Some have turned to juicing fresh fruits and vegetables. Others are turning these foods into smoothies by blending them.
Juicing vs Blending
But what is the difference between these two methods? Juicing is the process of extracting the juices, water and other liquid parts of the fruit or vegetables. Using the juicer, it separates these liquid portions from the fiber. When blending fruits and vegetables, the pulp or fiber is still mixed in the liquid – it’s just broken down to form a smoothie. So, whatever you put in the blender, that’s what you will get in your drink.
Juicing advantages
One of the advantages of juicing is that the liquid form is more easily absorbed by the body. The digestive system doesn’t have to work as hard in breaking down the food because the juicer already did the job. Juice is great for those who are on a low-fiber diet or who have sensitive digestive system. Many of us have those least favorite vegetables that we know are good for us but we dare not eat. Through juicing, you can actually hide the taste by mixing it with the better tasting fruits or vegetables. You can get the nutrition you want by not getting the unwanted taste. And because it’s in liquid juice form, you are able to get more nutrients by just drinking it than having to go through the process of chewing and digesting the fruits and vegetables from your meal.
Juicing disadvantages
Because the fiber is separated from the liquid in juicing, it produces less of a drink. This might be quite expensive for some as it may take more fruits or vegetables to make juice. Because fiber is filling, some get hungry sooner than later after drinking juice. When juicing fruits, try to be careful as too much of it can increase blood sugar levels.
Juicing recipe
If you’re looking into juicing vs blending for weight loss, here’s one juicing recipe for you. Apples are a great source of antioxidants and can prevent cancer and diabetes. Kale is a great superfood and aids in brain development and managing blood sugar. Parsley can help avoid cancer and diabetes. Ginger lowers cholesterol levels. Celery is a Vitamin K-rich vegetable and is also great for weight loss as it lessens intake of calories. Lemon is also great aid for losing weight. This juice will help you get healthy in no time.
Ingredients:
2 medium apples
4 leaves kale
4 leaves lettuce
2 stalks celery
1 handful parsley
1-inch ginger
½ lemon
Instructions:
1. Wash fruits and vegetable well.
2. Cut the apples into 8 pieces. Remove the seeds
3. Cut and peel the lemon as well. Remove the seeds.
4. Mix all the ingredients in the juicer.
5. Enjoy your Apple Kale juice for weight loss.
Blending advantages
Now you know that the main difference between juicing and blending is the fiber. With the fiber in the smoothie, this will help in digestion. Some also choose to blend because it’s cheaper in the sense that it uses less fruits and vegetables. The same amount of fruits and vegetables, for example, would yield perhaps 1 cup of juice but it’s equivalent would be 3 cups of smoothies. That’s because the fiber is included in the drink. Those who blend get the same amount of nutrients for less the price. Smoothies also tend to make people feel fuller longer. Some people who like to blend also add nuts, seeds and protein powders that give them additional energy.
Blending disadvantages
The nuts, seeds, oil and powder added into the smoothies are great fillers but they can also be high in calories. You have to watch out what you take in when you are making smoothies. Be careful when creating smoothies with high sugar content like fruit smoothies. Take these in moderation and add some vegetables to balance it.
Blending recipe
If you want to go into juicing vs blending for diabetes, here’s a great smoothie recipe to start with. This calls for almond milk, and not cow’s milk which is higher in calories. Unsweetened almond milk will not increase your blood sugar so it’s better for you. Blueberries and strawberries are great antioxidants. You get iron from the spinach; you get potassium and magnesium from the bananas. This smoothie is loaded with the good stuff.
Berry smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk
½ cup frozen blueberries
½ cup frozen strawberries
2 cups spinach
1 banana
Instructions:
1. Wash the spinach. Cut the banana.
2. Blend all the ingredients
3. Enjoy drinking your Berry smoothie!
Juicing or Blending?
So, the question is which one is better for your body – juicing or blending? When it comes to the question of juicing vs blending nutrition is what we are looking for. And we can get nutrients from both processes. So, they key is to find out what kind of nutrients your body needs. Juicing is the way to go if you want to cleanse and detox. You can let your digestive system take a rest by drinking juices. Blend smoothies packed with energy boosters when you’re working out and when you want to increase your muscle mass. Ask yourself these questions: What does my body need? How can I be healthier? What benefits can I gain from juicing and blending? Remember that you don’t have to give up one and just stick to the other. You can juice and blend. It’s up to you.
