More Weight Control, Nutrition & Exercise Articles
My Raw Juice Health Tonic
I used to think that if I juiced at home that I had to drink gallons of it to get any benefits, but it's just not true. Juice can provide a concentrated punch of nutrition that's the perfect addition to a balanced diet, so even 8-12 ounces a day offers a highly available source of vitamins A, B, and C plus minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Adding cucumber boosts silica, a mineral known to help maintain healthy skin, bones, and connective tissue. One serving of juice can contain 5-10 different fruits and vegetables, making it an efficient way to add vitamins and minerals to anyone's diet.
Plus, now that it's spring, it's the perfect time to dust off that juicer and put it to use for your good health. Here's my standard recipe for my daily “green juice.” You can adjust the recipe depending on what's available, but this is the basic recipe.
Amy's Green Elixir (1 serving)
cucumber
crunchy apple like granny smith or honey crisp OR a few chunks of pineapple
1 clove garlic
1 small “nub” ginger
1 wedge of lemon, skin on (about 1/6 of a lemon)
1 stalk celery
1 medium carrot
3-4 leaves dandelion, kale, collard, cabbage or other leafy greens, to taste
Notice that this juice is really light on fruit, and that is by design. Clients who are interested in weight loss should include only as much fruit as they need for the juice to be drinkable.
Fruit juice is a highly concentrated source of sugar (fructose) compared to vegetables which tend to be less sweet but offer minerals and vitamins. That extra sugar, even though it's natural, can still create issues with weight and other medical issues, so consult with your health practitioner if you suspect any problems with your metabolism or with sugar.
Here are a few other tips that can help a beginning juicer
1. Drink your juice at a time of day that suits you. Try different times of day and see how you feel.
2. Cucumber and cabbage are “sweet” vegetables that can make juice taste good without a lot of added sugars, so try those if you feel like you need extra sweetness.
3. Enjoy! Start small and don't pressure yourself to drink more than you want.
Other Articles You May Find of Interest...
- Custom Nutrition for Peak Performance: The Power of Personalized Supplements
- The Advantages of Bariatric Hospital Beds
- How Small-Farm Eggs Provide More Nutrients and Fewer Chemicals
- How to Choose the Best Warm Socks for Outdoor Activities
- 3 Myths About Weight-Loss Drugs to Get Out of Your Head
- Is the Future of Fitness Even in Gyms Anymore? (Spoiler: Absolutely, Yes)
- From Couch to Active: Small Steps to a More Active Lifestyle