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We all know that we should eat more fruits and vegetables. So having more juice might be a great way to increase these food groups in our diet: Right? Perhaps thinks again.
Juicing can provide most of the nutrients that fresh fruits and vegetables will give us, but strips away the fibre. When you squeeze 1 orange it makes about 100ml of juice, less than half a cup and leaves a lot of pith and fibre behind. So it is easy to drink a large amount of juice, but much harder to eat the same amount of fruit or vegetables. Drinking large amounts of juice can contribute to a high calorie intake and possible weight gain- it is usually not very filling so it's easy to overdo it.
The fibre is also very important for digestive health. A high fibre diet helps to prevent constipation and may protect against various bowel disorders and even bowel cancer. Its much better to take the whole fruit!
What about smoothies? Smoothies retain the whole fruit or vegetable with all of the fibre- a much better option. They are more filling and it is possible to include a lot more ingredients- using any of the fruits and veges that you might have in the fridge at home. They can be blended with yoghurt, milk or other ingredients such as oats, avocado, seed and nut butters- a healthy package that can replace a light meal or a snack. A smoothie will be thicker and more satisfying and contain a wider variety of nutrients. There is a lot less waste and smoothies are a lot more tasty!
| Tags: Healthy Eating Fruit Vegetables Juice |
