If you’ve decided to commit to a healthy lifestyle, then juicing is one of the first steps to take. There are many real health benefits to making your own fruit and vegetable juices and consuming them fresh. Here are some great tips and advises that will help you get started.
If you are planning on juicing citrus fruits only, or primarily citrus fruits, consider purchasing a juicer that is designed just for citrus. Many juicers have trouble with the amount of pith in a citrus fruit. In addition, juicers with metal surfaces will become corroded over time after repeated exposure to citrus fruits.
Drink your juice on an empty stomach, such as first thing in the morning or about half an hour before a meal. This allows your system to better absorb the nutrients in your juice, without the interference of other foods. Juice drunk on an empty stomach can enter your system in as quickly as thirty minutes.
Look into getting a system for vacuum sealing your jars if you are planning on making larger quantities of juice at the same time. Being able to fully vacuum seal your container means you will be able to store it for much longer periods of time without suffering a loss in quality or health benefits.
Use cucumber as a great flavor disguiser when you are juicing greens. Cucumber is excellent at masking the strong flavors inherent in greens. A juice’s health benefits aren’t going to do you much good if you can’t stand to drink it. Cucumber also has the extra added benefit of being chockfull of important vitamins and nutrients itself.
Juice your softer fruits first and then send down your harder items. The hard textured fruit will do the job of cleaning the fruit that was left behind by the softer items. This means more juice for you and less clean up as well. Follow that trick and you’ll usually get the maximum amount of juice in your glass, not left in the juicer.
Freshly made juice should be drunk before meals. Drink your juice an hour before a meal for best results. By drinking the juice on an empty stomach, your body will absorb more of the nutrients from the mix. The added benefit is that you will reduce your hunger and, therefore, eat a lighter meal.
When juicing leafy vegetables like spinach, ball the leaves together. If you form your vegetable leafs into a ball, like crumpled paper for instance, you will give a more solid mass for the juicer to work with. This will prevent small pieces of leaves from showing up in your juice and affecting the consistency.
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.
If you need a quick breakfast, give juicing a try. Fresh juices provide vitamins, minerals, and enzymes lacking from most quickly prepared meals. Using a powerful juicer, you can make fresh juice as quickly as a piece of toast. The high-end models even let you toss in whole pieces of fruit. There is no excuse for skipping breakfast anymore.
To get the most out of your new juicer be open to trying fruit and vegetable combinations that you would not normally consider. Start out with basic juices, such as carrot or cucumber, but then get creative. Experiment with different vegetables and fruits. You can even use fresh herbs.
The best way to prepare your fruits and vegetables for juicing is to follow the instructions in your manual. After cleaning, you then need to cut the produce into pieces small enough to fit into the machine. You will also need to remove larger, hard pieces, such as peach pits.
Do not wait to get started with juicing. While you are shopping for your juicer or if you need to replace one, use the blender for the time being. Start experimenting with fruits and vegetables by making smoothies. You can get to know some of the flavors you will like and you get started on a healthy regimen sooner.
Drinking vegetable juice can help you maintain the pH levels in your body which is immensely helpful in staying healthy. Keeping your pH in the correct balance can help you avoid maladies such as cancer, leading to a longer, healthier, happier life. The little extra effort it takes to juice can change your life forever!
Want to know another way that juicing will save you money? You’ll be able to skip the expensive anti-wrinkle and deep moisturizing skin treatments you’ve been buying at the department store! Juicing fruits and vegetables leads to healthier, better looking skin as they are full of moisturizing compounds. The anti-oxidants found in many produce items also can slow down the aging of skin itself.
Juicing is not the miracle cure for everything that ails you! It is important that juicing is just a part of your new healthy lifestyle, from eating a healthy diet full of raw foods to exercising as often as possible. Drinking homemade juice will help boost your energy, giving you the drive to get active!
While carrots are indeed a high glycemic vegetable, studies have shown that carrot juice can actually help keep blood sugar levels stable. Including it in your juice, can sweeten up bitter vegetables like dark leafy greens, plus, it adds a smooth texture to the drink. Even a diabetic can appreciate that!
By taking the advice given here you will avoid some of the common mistakes that people make when they start juicing for themselves. Remember that juicing is only one part of an entire journey towards healthy living. By juicing you will also have greater control over what you are putting into your body. What are you waiting for? Get juicing!
