If you aren’t already drinking Green Juices…what are you even doing with your life?!

I’m joking of course, but most health professionals would agree, that in America we are nutrient deficient and calorie rich, which means we are eating a lot, but the amount of nutrients in the food we eat is not proportionally very high.

So we take multivitamins to account for our poor eating habits. Technically, we can get all the vitamins and minerals our body needs through our diets. But how many of us have diets that are that inclusive.

While most of us DO take a multivitamin, they should be looked at as more of an ‘insurance policy’, and we should strive to get more of our nutrients from whole foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

What Green Juice does for your body?

When you drink a Green Juice, you are getting a concentrated shot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and hydration, all in one beverage. Can you even imagine eating an entire pound of vegetables everyday? Not many people could, or WOULD. But you can absolutely drink it in a green juice.

That’s why, its the first thing I reach for when I feel like my healthy eating habits have slipped a little.

There are so many benefits to drinking a Green Juice. Among other things they:

• Alkalize your body chemistry
• Give you increased energy
• Are a good Source of Antioxidants
• Support gut health
• Enhance detoxification
• Support a healthy immune system
• Provide Bioavailable nutrients

Is Green Juice good for weight loss?

The short answer is YES!

Juice Cleanses are a thing for a reason.

Which is why there are a couple of ways I use a green juice for weight loss.

Sometimes I do a juice until dinner approach, only drinking fresh juices and eating raw fruits and veggies until the evening, when I will have a healthy balanced meal.

Consider that a green juice is going to contain approximately 100 calories. By switching out breakfast and lunch with a juice, you are saving a considerable amount of calories.

One thing to think about however is the fact that juices are not going to contain the protein that you would get in another meal, so make sure your dinner is high in protein, or limit the length of your juice swap out days.

I also like to do a 3- day juice cleanse once or twice a year as a reset, or right before I am getting ready to do a more comprehensive diet plan. It prepares my body by giving it a bit of a detox from things like sugar and refined carbs.

What are the best Green vegetables to juice?

Have you heard the concept of ‘eating the rainbow’. The idea is that the different colored vegetables contain different phytonutrients that are beneficial to us.

They ALL have something great to offer, but there are some that lend themselves better to juicing.

Some good choices are:

• Dark Leafy Greens like Kale, Spinach, Swiss Chard, and Parsley which are high in Vitamins A, C and antioxidants.
• Cucumbers and Celery, which have a high water content, and can help keep you hydrated, while aiding in digestion and supporting kidney function.
• Citrus adds a fresh flavor as well as contributing a dose of vitamin C.*note- peel the citrus first

Is it good to drink Green Juice everyday?

Absolutely!

‘The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that adult women between the ages of 19 and 50 eat 2.5 cups of vegetables a day, while adult men in the same age range should eat 3 cups’.

But how many of us do that!

For the purpose of getting more vegetables into your diet and your body, juices are genius.

Of course, we don’t always have time to juice at home, but they’ve got some great ones out there.

One of my favorites is is Evolution Fresh’s Essential Greens. Its Organic, cold-pressed, low in sugar, and I’ve seen the brand in Starbucks, Whole Foods, Ralphs, and lots of other little spots. 

Now, this green drink is not for beginners. (I think my husband would describe it as, ‘earthy’.)

But if you do want to make your own fresh juice, I have a couple of tips.

-Keep it low in sugar

-Keep it simple

-Make it fresh. As soon as it hits the air, it starts to oxidize. Fresh juices are never as good the next day. Sorry.

My Go-To Green Juice Recipe

When I make a green juice at home, I want the husband AND the children to drink it too, so I turn to the handy apple to sweeten it up a bit.

If you want to be on your best behavior, the Granny Smith apple has the lowest sugar content of all of the apple varieties. They are also high in fiber and diabetic friendly. Otherwise any apple will do.

The Green Juice Recipe You NEED to Know

Yield: 24 oz or 3- 8oz servings

*NOTE- Buy Organic fruit which isn’t grown with the use of pesticides. If you can’t, then make sure to wash your produce well before juicing.

Ingredients

2 small apples

½ cucumber

½ lime, peeled

4-6 leaves Kale (or other greens)

1 handful of spinach

2 stalks celery

1/4 bunch of parsley

Procedure

Wash all produce, and cut into chunks that will fit easily into your juicer.

Juice. Pour. Drink. Enjoy.

While a masticating, or twin gear is the best kind of juicer to maintain maximum nutrients and minimize oxidation, they often come with a high price tag, so I think this little Breville is a good one for the average or beginner user.

Once you see how easy it is, you can start making all kinds of blends, like my Carrot-Orange Juice, or my Glow Me Pineapple which is as hydrating as it is delicious!

If you still don’t have time, try going for an organic green juice powder like this one from Arbonne.