Benefits and Busts of Juicing
There has always been a lot of hype around juicing, but not all cold-pressed juices are made the same. There is also a lot of confusion around the benefits and although I’m not an accredited dietitian, I wanted to share my opinion on the matter because I do occasionally drink cold-pressed juices.
What is cold-pressed juice anyway?
Cold-pressed juice is meant to be the most nutrient dense juice out there. It is made with a hydraulic press that uses insane amounts of pressure to extract the maximum amount of liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables. No additional heat or oxygen is used in this process and therefore no nutrients are lost in the heat of traditional pasteurization. Due to its raw form, the shelf-life isn’t long, so it’s important to check the date on your bottle. To avoid any risks, doctors will advise pregnant mamas, young children and people with weakened immune systems to not consume cold-pressed juices.
Juice Benefits
In my opinion, there are benefits to drinking cold-pressed juices. Yes, I do drink them and I have done cleanses in the past, but today I prefer to consume them more as a supplement to my current eating regime. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, so a quality cold-pressed juice can be a quick way to get in a lot of these compounds in one sitting and while on the go! Considering there is probably a lot of people who likely don't come close to consuming their daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, cold-pressed juice is definitely a good option. Let’s be honest … especially for us mamas, it can be challenging to find time to sit and eat some much-needed greens or munch on an apple. I admit, I’m so good at getting the kids to eat their fruits and veggies, but I often forget myself. What has worked for me is including cold-pressed juices in my nutrition routine to help me get a variety of fruits and vegetables into my diet, but I also make it a priority to try and eat healthy and wholesome meals and snacks throughout the day as well.
I don’t make juice at home, so my go to place has been Green Press Inc.. - it is family owned and operated here in Toronto and maintaining high quality standards is their priority! By the way, if you want to get 15% off your first order with them use the code NOTUMMYMOMMY15.
Juice ‘Busts’
There is a lot of good that comes with juicing, but one thing is for sure - I don’t think people should rely on juice alone in hopes to lose tons of weight and achieve their fitness goals. I believe in committing to a regular workout routine in combination with eating a healthy and nutritious diet. Although some people may lose weight on a juice cleanse, I don’t believe the purpose of a cleanse is solely for weight loss.
Lastly, it’s important to note that when you extract the juice from fruits or vegetables, you don’t get the nutritious pulp and fiber, which also means you could be at a loss of some key vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. This is why I think it’s also important to include other fruits and vegetables in your daily meals too! And if you juice at home, don’t throw away the pulp because you can use it in other ways to up your fiber!
Plastic or glass? I would say if you’re going to buy cold-pressed juice opt for one in a glass bottle. Don’t waste your money on expensive organic produce that has been juiced and then placed it into a plastic bottle. No thanks!
If you are considering a juice cleanse, I think it is important to speak with an expert who can really assess your health needs and someone who can determine what is best for you (and only you). Remember, cleanses are not meant for everyone. I personally don’t do juice cleanses anymore, but I do know people who swear by them and love them. My opinion is to really do your research and purchase your cold-pressed juices from a reputable company. Hope this post has helped answer some of your questions around cold-pressed juices. Good luck and feel free to email me if you have further questions regarding this topic!
