Juicing Guide for All

As fresh juicing and smoothies becomes more popular, it’s important to know that there are a few minor risks. I stress that these are VERY minor, and nothing that should discourage anyone from juicing or smoothies with all the amazing benefits including better health, more energy, a delicious alternative to sugary drinks especially for your children, and my favorite, the most convenient way to consume all the recommended daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, a fresh juice or smoothie is just about the healthiest thing you can do for yourself, your family, and your friends! So let’s be aware of these concerns, but keep a healthy perspective! Food Borne Illness The CDC reports that produce is the leading cause of food poisoning in the US (although more hospitalizations are due to dairy products and more deaths are attributed to poultry). Produce with the greatest risk are melons (the rough skin traps bacteria and gets carried to the flesh when cut) and packaged p...

Ready to give juicing a whirl? It's an easy way to get more fruits and veggies into your diet. Before you get started, you should know a few things about what you can expect juicing to do for you, and what's just hype. The Biggest Advantage “If you’re not big into fruits and vegetables, it’s a good way to get them in," says nutritionist Jennifer Barr, RD, of Wilmington, DE. You should still eat fruits and vegetables, too, says Manuel Villacorta, RD, founder of Eating Free, a weight management program. Aim to eat two whole fruits and three to four vegetables a day. Choose them in different colors, so you get a good mix of vitamins and minerals, Barr says. Fiber Factor When you juice, you don't get the fiber that's in whole fruits and vegetables. Juicing machines extract the juice and leave behind the pulp, which has fiber. So you don't miss out on the fiber, you can add some of the pulp back into the juice or use it in cooking. Barr adds it to m...