Juicing is all the rage these days. The nice thing is that it is easier than has ever been before to integrate juicing into your lifestyle. Buy a juicer or blender, some fruit or veggies, and you’re ready to go. Unfortunately, some folks get caught up in the excitement. They run out and buy a juicer, make a few cups of juice one day, than never use it again. Frequently, the problem is they may not know how to create delicious juice. Part I may be simple: buy a juicer. However, part II is a bit more complicated and requires research and practice. On this page we share some simple juicing recipes for health to help you get off on the right foot.
First we will talk why it is a good idea to figure out what type of juice you want to make. Then we will share the best juice recipes for making juice. We have sections for fresh juice recipes, vegetable juice recipes, juicing recipes for energy, cleansing juice recipes, and healthy juice recipes.
Plan the Juice and Juice the Plan
People have different goals when it comes to juicing. Are you in it to lose weight? Or are you going on a detoxification plan to cleanse your body? Maybe you just want to make a healthy glass of juice everyday for lunch? Some people use juicers to conserve food before it goes bad, throwing it in the juicer to quickly create an easy consumable snack. Others are casual, they’ll whip out the juicer when the urge strikes then stow it away for a couple weeks. It is smart to use a little forethought before purchasing a juicer or committing to juicing. Many juicers are avalaible and there’s plenty of reviews out there to help you choose the one that will serve you fresh juice year after year.
Here are the most popular reasons people get into juicing:
- Health. Fruits and vegetables are the most nutrient rich food available for the human body. It is also the most common deficit in people’s diets. Improving your health is the best reason you can pick up juicing. You will feel lighter, have more energy, and less issues with your metabolism. Fresh juice is a wonderful replacement for coffee and is much better for the body in the long term.
- Weight loss. Many juicer advocates take to the habit as a way to lose weight. It requires a unswerving dedication and a lot of discipline. But it certainly works. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories, quickly used as energy, and easy for your body to process.
- Taste. Commonly, people get into juicing to make something delicious. It is kind of like having your cake and eating it too, because your making something that tastes good and is good for you. If you’re doing it right, most of your juice creations will come out amazingly yummy. Sticking to some of the tried and true combinations is the best way to ensure quality taste.
- Energy. Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of calories that are easily used and converted to energy. Since juice is metabolized so quickly, you will notice an energy boost shortly after drinking.
- Reducing food waste. One of the most common types of food waste is organics such as fruit and vegetables. There is no two ways around it, this type of food goes bad relatively quickly. Even when left in the fridge in only takes a week or two. By juicing these items before they go bad, you save money and effect your caloric intake in a positive way.
- Fresh Snacks. If you often to go the local grocery to get produce, you’re already winning half the battle if your starting to juice. Juice is a positive snack that is fresh and much better than a granola bar packed with preservatives. Add a scoop of protein powder and you’ll have a snack that tides you over for hours.
- Body Cleanse. The detoxification properties of some types of fruits and vegetables are well studied and documented. Often, this is done alongside a fast over the course of a few days or about a week. Elminating toxins from the body is a great way to feel better internally which shows externally as well.
- 3-5 Servings of Fruits and Vegetables. There are still a great number of individuals who try to abide by the doctor’s rules or the food pyramid. The recommended 3-5 servings of vegetables and fruits a day can be a difficult one to meet. Just this year, the State Health Department has come out with a new recommendation of a whopping 9 servings a day.
- Creative Outlet. Perhaps much less common, but still a viable reason to start making fresh juice, is the creative aspect. There are many, many different fruits and vegetables available at grocery stores and local markets. One only needs to take a peek at a Jamba Juice menu to get a few ideas. Also—depending on the season—you’ll have a new round of fresh options. This leaves the door open to try a great number of things and come up with your own great juice recipes.
Knowing why you are getting into juicing will help you plan your shopping trips. If you have many activities in addition to work, you will not have as much flexibility as someone with a less busy schedule.
Juicing Recipes for Health
These are the top 5 most healthy juice recipes. The rest of your body will be sending your brain thank you cards after the first sip of these revitalizing concoctions.
The recipes listed here were selected for their nutritional value:
- 360 Health Booster. Top ingredients: apple, cherries, and pears. How to make: core and cube apple, core and cube pears, remove cherry pits, blend. Nutrition info: 190 calories, 51g carbs, 29mg calcium, .5g fat, 1g protein, 8g fiber. Other info: this drink is packed with a massive amount of vitamins. You’ll get a hearty does of vitamin A, B, C, and E. This special beverage is also known to reduce aging. The vitamins A and C plus Lutein increase collagen production which contributes to strong bones and youthful skin.
- Cognition Enhancer. Top ingredients: sweet potato, carrots, blackberries, and beetroot. How to make: blend 3 large carrots, cup of blackberries, 1 beetroot, and 1 sweet potato. Nutrition info: 113 calories, 3g protein, 30g carbs, 0g fat, 2g fiber. Other info: cognitive function is boosted by increased blood flow to the brain. Ingredients such as beetroot and blackberries are natural vasodilators that expedite this process.
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Mean Green. Top ingredients: kale, seedless green grapes, cucumber, granny smith apple, water. How to make: blend 1 cup sliced kale, 1 cup seedless green grapes, 1 thickly sliced English cucumber, 1 granny smith apply (cored and cut into thick chunks), and 1/2 cup water. Nutrition Info: 110 calories, 19mg sodium per serving, 77mg per serving, 1mg iron per serving, 3g protein per serving, 27g carbs per serving, 3g fiber per serving, 1g fat. Other info: combine ingredients in a blender, optionally serve with fresh kale leaf and cucumbar garnish. This drink lasts up to 2 days in the fridge. Make sure to shake before serving!
- Immunity Fortifier. Top Ingredients: carrots, beetroot, celery, cucumber, pear, mango. How to make: blend 3 large carrots, 1/2 a cucumber, 1 medium sized pear, 4 stalks of celery, 1 golden beetroot, and 1 mango. Nutrition Info: 175 calories, 50g carbs, 5g protein, 1g fat, 2g fiber. Other info: this will improve your general health as well as keep your immune system strong. This drink is full of vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, all known for their cold and flu butt kicking abilities.
- Antixoidant Blaster. Top ingredients: mangos, strawberries, and blueberries. How to make: blend 2 cup blueberries frozen or thawed, 1 cup fresh strawberries, 1.5 cups chopped mango, and about 1/4 cup of water. Nutrition info: 165 calories, 1g fat, 27mg calcium, 2mg iron, 38g of carbs, 5g fiber, and 2g protein. Other info: This fruity blend is not only very tastey, it will help prevent aging and do your body a world of good. Antioxidants are great for their anti aging properieties and immune system aid.
Juicing Recipes for Energy
The following recipes are the top energy boosting drinks. Chug one of these puppies and go for that brisk 5 mile morning run.
- Green Blitz. Top Ingredients: apple, celery, cucumber, carrots, spinach. How to make: blend 2 large carrots, 1 green apple, 1/2 a cucumber, 2 cups of spinach, 3 stalks of celery. Nutrition info: 93 calories, 3g protein, 0g fat, 1g fiber, 27g carbs. Other info: energy comes from calories, but there are some vitamins and minerals that help out in this department. These nutrients aid in releasing energy and metabolizing food to help our bodies get more energy. That is why this drink is full of vitamin b2 and b6, copper, and magnesium. The cool thing is you can find all three in
spinach.
- Coconut Grand Slam. Top ingredients: peaches, coconut water, lychees. How to make: peel and remove seeds from 25 lychees (or used canned lychees), 1 cup coconut water, 1 cup sliced peaches. Nutrition info: 110 calories, 1g fat, 2g protein, 28g carbs, 4g fiber, 26mg calcium, 1mg iron. Other info: This is a hydrating drink chock full of natural fruit sugars to get your booty movin’. Add a little banana for a taste boost.
Cleansing Juice Recipes
Time to clean house and flush those nasty toxins? These smoothies will parachute drop into the middle of enemy territory and show those toxins who is boss.
- Beetdown. Top Ingredients: beets, carrots, ginger, and apple. How to make: scrub and chop 1 medium sized beet (~8 ounces), core and cube 1 apple, scrub and slice 3 large carrots, add 2 tablespoons of peeled and chopped ginger, combine in blender with 1 cup of water. Nutrition info: 160 calories, 1g of fat, 62mg calcium, 1mg iron, 37g carbs, 9g of fiber, and 3g of protein. Other info: ginger is known to calm the stomach, so as the other ingredients flush the system, you’ll stay at your best. Plus, all the fiber from these root fruits and veggies will keep things moving in an orderly manner.