It’s one of the best purchases you can make before a change-up to your diet—a juicer. Many packaged juices are loaded with sugar and lacking in the nutrients you want, so a high-quality juicer can make it easy to have all-natural juices at home.
Whether you’re going on a juice cleanse or are just trying to add some more fruits and vegetables to your diet, fresh juice can make a big difference. But to get the most out of this new addition to your kitchen, there are a few basics to understand to make sure it’s a safe and healthy change.
Pick the Right Juicer
This is one investment you don’t want to skimp on – picking the best juicer for your needs can make all the difference. Not only will a quality juicer last longer, but it may make a difference in the level of nutrition you get out of your juices.
Veteran juicers know there are a few brands that are associated with quality. Nutribullet is probably the biggest name in juicers, with the powerful centrifugal juicers being known for their excellent pulping ability. Omega’s models can pulp even tough items like ginger and beets if you’re looking to go even higher-end. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly model, Hamilton Beach juicers are reliable and can be had for as little as $65.
The key to an effective juicer is that it should be able to deliver a smooth juice that packs all the flavor out of the items you’re using. You also want one that’s durable even when dealing with harder items and will remain stable while working its way through those fibers.
The Basic Recipes
There is no right or wrong way to do juicing—it’s all about finding the recipes that work for you and make you excited to start up the juicer every morning. But there are some recipes that are a great, crowd-pleasing place to start. If you’re looking for a refreshing, savory juice with a bit of a sweet and sour kick, a blend of cucumber, apple, and celery will hit the spot.
If you’re looking for a more intense flavor, a blend of carrot, lemon, and ginger will provide a healthy mix of tartness and spice. Are you looking to get some healthy kale in your diet but not a fan of the taste? Blending it with banana and pineapple will mask the nutrient-packed green with tropical flavors.
Beets, strawberries, and blueberries will provide a rich berry flavor packed with antioxidants that will mask the typical earthiness of beets. A blend of orange, lemon, and ginger will give you a classic refreshing morning beverage with a spicy twist that’s packed with immune-boosting power. This is just a starting point, and experimenting is part of the fun of juicing, but these are some of the best juicing fruits and vegetables you should stock up on.
How To Do It Safely
If you’re considering a juice cleanse, make sure you’re taking all the measures you need to ensure you protect your health. Meet with a doctor or nutritionist to make sure your plan will provide you with all the nutrients and calories you need. Also, read up on your juicer’s cleaning system to make sure you’re protecting yourself from food poisoning when using it heavily.
It’s easy to miss out on critical vitamins and minerals if you’re juicing, even if you’re only drinking healthy juices. That’s why this is a great time to add some supplements to your diet health enthusiast hub. If you’re not a fan of swallowing pills, taking gummy vitamins for adults can help keep your diet balanced.
Don’t Forget to Hydrate
Another common risk of juicing is forgetting your water intake. This is because even though you’re on a liquid diet during juice cleanses, you’ll be taking in a good amount of sugar from the juices. It might be refreshing, but it’s not putting your body in peak detox mode.
Make sure you’re drinking plain water in between your juices or something equally refreshing like coconut water. You’ll boost your digestion and energy levels, and it’ll help to reduce headaches. Try to drink about half your body weight in ounces per day.
Juice Your Way to Success
You’re armed with a juicer, your favorite fruits and vegetables, and all the information you need. Juicing isn’t a cure-all, but it can be a major part of a healthy diet. The key is to find the juices that work for you and incorporate them into a healthy routine. You can also check out these tips on how to make juice alternatives such as a healthy hot chocolate for your toddler.