Juicing vs Blending Smoothies – Which is Better?
Both juicing and blending smoothies are great ways to add more fresh produce to your diet. Regardless of what diet plan you're on, freshly-pressed juices and filling smoothies can add a variety of nutrients to your diet. But are there notable differences between juicing and blending smoothies? Is one method better than the other? Here's a comparison of the pros and cons of juicing versus making smoothies:
High vs Low Fiber
Smoothies, especially Green Smoothies which feature plenty of leafy greens, are rich in fiber as they typically contain fruit and vegetables in their whole forms. Most of us already know that fiber is essential for good digestive health, but what many of us don't know is that the fiber in smoothies may also help minimize the negative effects of oxalates which are abundant in some (mainly green) smoothie ingredients. For more information, read the article Oxalates in Green Smoothies.
During the juicing process much of the dietary fiber is removed and discarded. If juicing is your preferred method of making healthy drinks, you will have to ensure that you eat plenty of whole foods in order to meet the daily recommendations for fiber intake.
Vitamins or More Vitamins?
Although both freshly-made juices and smoothies provide valuable vitamins, smoothies may be the better option if your goal is to maximize your vitamin intake. Why? Because smoothies typically use the peel and the seeds of the fruit or vegetable as well, and in many cases, the peel and the seeds are the most nutrient-dense parts of these foods.
Slow vs Fast Absorption
It has been suggested that it is easier for the body to absorb vitamins and minerals from juices than from smoothies due to the lack of fiber in juices. Therefore, if you are looking for a quick vitamin boost, a freshly-made juice featuring your favorite fruit and veggies may be the better choice. However, in that case you will have to make sure you'll get your fiber from other dietary sources.
Cheap vs Cheaper
Both home-made smoothies and juices cost only a fraction of the price of their commercial counterparts. But if your food budget is really tight, then blending smoothies will be the way to go. Not only does making smoothies require less fruit and vegetables, it also requires less complicated (and cheaper) equipment.
Refreshment vs Meal Replacement
If you are simply looking for refreshment and don't care about energy, a glass of freshly-pressed juice may be exactly what you need. Smoothies, in contrast, can be filling, and they can offer a balanced nutrient profile (provided that they also include some vegetables or greens instead of being 100% fruit-based). With all the fiber, vitamins and minerals they provide, smoothies featuring vegetables and fruit can make a great meal replacement.
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