Every morning, I pour myself a 6-oz. glass of Costco or Trader Joe’s orange juice and I can’t imagine a morning without it. But would I want to drink only juice for days? No way. I’m a big believer in a balanced diet, and I’ve had no weight problems as a result. I like the variety of foods that comprise my diet.
It’s holiday time and our thoughts do turn to eating—and then to weight loss. Maybe you’ve considered juicing as a weight-loss alternative—we read about celebrities doing this, but is it safe and effective? Drinking fruit juice is not a bad idea at all, in moderation. Juice is definitely a smarter choice than soda, but water is a superb choice any time.
If the idea is to ingest more fruits this way, why don’t we just eat them and reap the additional benefits of fiber and fullness? Besides, there’s a certain satisfaction when we go “crunch.”
Here’s what I consider to be the truth about juicing.
Juice on the loose
Diehard fans of juicing say it permits the body to more easily absorb vitamins and antioxidants contained in fresh fruits and veggies, but there’s no definitive scientific proof behind that statement. And if you’re buying bottled juice, read that label to ensure no extra sugar has been added.
The experts at the Pritikin Longevity Center say they’ve found that diets like juicing do not provide the body with the nutrients whole foods can and can lead to additional weight gain. Here’s a super infographic they sent me, and I’m sharing with you.
