Do I need the Green Juice?
DIY juicing, green juice powder, juice cleanses, the list goes on! Backed by celebrities and influencers, juice cleanses and powders promise the thinness ideal and a host of health benefits. Marketing is a whole thing and everyone wants to make the $$, but what are these products and are they actually helpful? Let's break it down.
What is green juice is NOT.
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Juice lacks the basic macronutrients to constitute a meal and fuel your body for the day ahead. Have some juice with your meal and your body and brain will thank you!ext goes here
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Nothing magical happens to fruits and vegetables when they go through the juicer. Juice is not a medical treatment and should not be used in lieu of proper medical care. Description text goes here
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Sorry to break the news, but the weight loss miracle does not exist. Our bodies are programmed to protect from famine and starvation, so the immediate response to not have adequate and diverse nutrients is to store energy and not let go. Diet programs advocating for restricting intake and “cleansing” are quite counterproductive in this sense and exacerbate health issues.
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Our bodies have the natural ability to do this very effectively via our kidneys and liver. Although any vegetable juice is likely to have some great vitamins and antioxidants like folate and vitamin C, juice simply is not able to pull toxins outs of the body.
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Fiber is essential for gut health and digestion. This is one of the most convincing reasons to choose whole fruits and veggies over juice.
What green juice IS.
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Juiced fruits and vegetables still provide all of those wonderful vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and calcium. In this sense, green juice can be an excellent addition to meals and snacks to make sure you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need each day. Think of it as your personalized multivitamin!
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Many fruits and vegetables serve as antioxidants for the body, working against oxidation within the bloodstream. Some of the most popular antioxidant-rich foods include oranges, blueberries, and dark leafy greens.
So, what’s the verdict?
Nope! You do not need the green juice. Endorsements and marketing will try to convince you otherwise, but it is perfectly reasonable that you can be strong and healthy without drinking the green juice. If you like the taste, certainly include it with your meal or snack every now and then, or even used in place of a daily multivitamin. This said, juiced fruits and vegetables should not be relied on to give the body and brain everything needed for an active, productive day.