Juicing vs. Smoothies

[Kamila]

Do you know what the differences are in the benefits of juicing vs pulverizing?

I would have thought that using the whole food would be best (and you get all the fiber), but I've recently been hearing that juicing has distinct advantages.

I welcome any info people may have about this.

[Anna]

I think they both have a place.  I like to juice in the morning.  Juicing is a huge infusion of nutrients without taxing the body through digestion (easier on your gut).   It is difficult to get the variety and amount of concentrated nutrients by eating the whole food.  I think smoothies are great too and you have the added fiber.  Fiber can be controversial but I think it has it's place.

Some people with gut issues find that resting the gut through juicing allows for healing.

I'd just see how you feel after both.  I feel amazing after juicing in the morning.  I like to start my day with that and slowly move onto foods that require more digestive energy.  I like smoothies in the afternoon as a snack/pick-me up.  

I don't believe it's an either/or, just find what works best for you!  ~Anna

[Kamila]

thanks, Anna!

This makes sense to me.

And since I have low digestive function, I can see where juicing would be beneficial.

Also, I can drink a juice fairly quickly but have to drink a thick smoothie verrrrry slowly and tend to get tired of it before I finish it.

Do you have experience with different types of juicers?  I've been told that a juicer that compresses the vegs is better than one that macerates them at high speed.

[Anna]

I recent got the Hurom and LOVE it!!!  Benefit of a "slow" (masticating) juicer but smaller footprint and faster.  Here is a video about two of the best.  I was on the fence between these two and then saw this.   I'm REALLY happy with my decision.  

http://www.therawfoodworld.com/blog/?p=442

~Anna

[Mirjam Henzen]

Hi Kamilla,

Both juicing and making smoothies are great for you. Juice goes right into your cells and so your body doesn't need to do any work to process it to get the juices of it because it is already -> juice (:

Depending on how you make smoothies, smoothies tend to be thicker and maybe cost you a bit more time to drink. However in smoothies (again, depending how you make them) there is more fiber.

Some people tend to say that juice doesn't contain any fiber. That is not true. Juice does contain soluble fiber.

Fiber has no nutritional value, however it is like a broom for your colon. So it is important that you make sure you do get enough fiber. Of course, fiber can be taken in other forms as well. It doesn't need to be through smoothies.

What you maybe would like to try is to juice ingredients and then add it to your blender combined with avocado and maybe also some superfoods (like spirulina, wheatgrass, MSM, Maca, hemp seed or any other you like). In this way your smoothie won't be so hard for you to drink, but you'll get important fats, sugars and chlorophyll that way all in one drink. Avocado is also a superfood.

About drinking your juice/smoothie. Even though you experience that drinking juice is so much easier, please note that you should always allow for the juice to be chewed (yes chew your juice haha) in your mouth before swallowed. Digestion should actually be a process that starts in your mouth. By chewing your juice (or any other food or drink) enzymes will be made and enzymes are very important for a good digestion and also to an overall health. Just look how babies keep anything in their mouths first before they swallow it (: It is actually a natural process, however along the way we get our own things and habits and we skip some steps from time to time...

About the difference between juicers. A slow juicer is better than a centrifugal one, however nowadays there are some really good centrifugal ones that are less hard on your fruits and veggies.

But most importantly, in my opinion, is that every person has a juicer and uses it (: whether it is a slow- or centrifugal juicer.

Juice is so good for you.

I hope this helps!