Smoothies and juices are all the hype these days and I often get the question which is best. Although juices are great health drinks, smoothies are a far better option as it comes to promoting overall health. I’ll explain why in just a sec, but first, let’s take a look at the difference between the two.

 

What’s the difference?

 

Juicing Facts

A juicer separates the juice from the fibers or pulp, meaning you can pack more veggies or fruits into a single serving of juice than you can into a smoothie. It gives your digestive tract a break and provides an instant infusion of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial phytonutrients into your bloodstream. Juices pack more vitamins and minerals per ounce than a smoothie.

 

Blending Facts

Unlike juices, smoothies consist out of the entire fruit or veggie you put into the blender. Fibers are a healthy addition that supports your digestive health, fill you up, and sweep out toxins and fats. Although blending breaks the ingredients down into small particles that are easily digested, it takes longer to release nutrients into the blood, which avoids blood sugar spikes and hunger carvings.

 

7 Reasons Why Blending Is The Better Option

 

1.    Smoothies Are Whole Foods

Green smoothies consist out of whole foods, with all their fiber, vitamins, and minerals still in there. Dietary fibers are essential for a good working digestive system. Juices, on the other hand, are stripped from their fibers and with the fibers, some other nutrients are discarded as well.

Fibers are also important to slow down sugar absorption. Juices made with sweet fruits and vegetables are concentrated sweeteners and can spike blood sugar levels. Smoothies, on the other hand, still have their fiber to slow down sugar absorption to prevent these sugar spikes.

 

2.    Smoothies Are An Excellent Meal Replacement

Although juices are an excellent way to deliver more vitamins and minerals in one serving, they can’t be used as a meal replacement, as they are not a whole food packed with fiber and protein to fill you up and give you the energy you need. Especially when you live an active lifestyle and workout on a daily basis, juices will leave you hungry as you burn through green juices much faster.

Smoothies, on the other hand, are packed with filling fibers and protein which help to curb the temptation to eat too much cooked food or snacks and fill you up and keep you satisfied until your next meal. So you can perfectly swap your breakfast or lunch for a green smoothie. I have one green smoothie for breakfast or lunch almost every day… and never feel hungry.

ALSO READ: Make Your Green Smoothies a Complete and Filling Meal 

 

3.    You Can Add Non-Veggie Or Non-Fruit Ingredients

Another great bonus is that you can blend all sorts of interesting and yummy ingredients next to fruit and veggies. You can add chia seeds, avocados, nut butter, goji berries, cacao nibs, and much more calorie and protein boosting ingredients to make them more nutritious.

ALSO READ: How To Make Nut Butter At Home

 

4.    Smoothies Can Be Stored In The Fridge

Juices are more susceptible to oxidation than smoothies. That’s why you’d better drink juices as soon as they come out of the juicer, while smoothies can be stored for up to 2 days in the fridge without losing too many nutrients.

 

5.    Blending Is Less Time Consuming

Blending takes less time. It doesn’t require much chopping or peeling and all ingredients can be added at the same time. There is also less cleanup work. I just rinse the pitcher and throw it in the dishwasher, while a juicer must be disassembled and each piece must be scrubbed clean.

 

Looking for a decent, professional heavy-duty blender, but can’t afford an expensive Vitamix or Blendtec? I  found a much better solution that is ONLY HALF the price and AS GOOD. CLICK HERE for more info.

 

 

6.    Juices Cost More

Although the cost of the equipment is comparable, blending requires fewer fresh produce than juices to make one serving and will save a lot of money at the end. Good juicers and blenders range from $100-500.

 

7.    Myth Busted: Enzyme Action Is Not Better In Juices

Some people believe that enzyme activity is better in juice than in a smoothie, but recent studies prove the opposite to be true. Dr. Michael Donaldson compared the enzyme content of freshly extracted juice to the enzyme content in a smoothie, and here are his findings:

“The blender did not cause any loss of enzymatic activity, after comparing the two. In fact, there was a slight increase in enzymatic activity in the blender. This may be due to the blender releasing more enzymes from inside of the cells because it chops vegetable cells much finer than can be accomplished by the grinding action of a juicer.”

 

Take Home Message

 

Through this article, I’m not trying to say (green) juices are unhealthy. They work great to give your body an instant boost of vitamins and nutrients and make an occasional healthy drink but they must not replace your breakfast or lunch. They deprive your body of the healthy dietary fiber and deliver a massive amount of easily absorbed sugars.

So if you would ask my advice whether you should take up blending or juicing, I’ll definitely say blending. If you can spare the money you could buy a juicer as well for an occasional vitamin shot, but if you are short on money, opt for a high-speed blender instead of purchasing both.

High-speed blenders come at a higher cost but they are worth it. No more chopping or first blending liquid and greens and then fruits…. Which saves a lot of time and they make smoother smoothies without chunks. They even blended the toughest vegetables, seeds, and nuts.

 

Don’t forget to download my FREE green smoothie eBook Below!!!!

 

Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!

 

 

Amy Goodrich

Amy Goodrich

 

Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.

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