To Juice or Not to Juice? That is the Question: A Quick Guide to the Most Common Juicing Questions

Image courtesy of the Cherry Share

Juicing is as controversial as marijuana. Some people claim it’s the best thing ever, where other shun at the idea of spiking their glucose levels.
 
So, is it good or is it bad? I think neither. So, should I juice or no? I think the truth lies somewhere down the middle.
 
Here’s the thing about juice. The stuff from a store that lasts months in a bottle is questionable. Most of it is mainly water with added sugar and preservatives.
 
When you place fresh fruit and vegetables in the juicer, the juice will get brown within 30-minutes. There is a complete different quality between those two types of juices. After living in Europe, Europeans enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice because many of these countries are chocked with orange trees. It’s a part of their diet and their outlook on the juice is healthy.
 
In the states, most of us, especially fitness pros, claim that juice spikes our blood sugar levels so it must be bad. Though this is not wrong, there are methods to this madness.
 
Most American breakfasts are chocked full of sugar or processed foods. Combined with juice, people are overloading their system with sugar. Drinking juice should go somewhere in between always and never. You don’t always need juice and you’re not going to die if you drink it.
 
I see no problem in drinking juice that is freshly squeezed. During times of extreme dehydration, I’ve used apple juice to restore hydration levels. However, I drank the juice solo and not part of a meal.
 
Should I do a juice detox?
As mentioned above, pre-packaged juice cleanses are bogus. First, the goal of juicing is to give the stomach a break and restore the body with powerful enzymes. Many nutrients are lost when the juice sits in plastic for months.
 
I do not think people should juice solely for weightloss, but I do think juicing is positive for a lifestyle change. Although people will lose weight on a juice fast, the intention should be more of a spiritual change to set the path for new behaviors. When worrying about the scale, most people deprive themselves and end up binging or doing the most mindless act immediately after the fast such as eating a pizza or dining at their favorite Mexican restaurant.
 
Juicing can give our stomachs a break and eliminate indigestible chemicals that overload the organs. But the intention must be right.
 
When should I do a juice detox?
I’ve cleansed several times in my life and each experience was positive and beneficial. However, some of these experiences were when I had down time in life or hung out at a detox resort in Asia.
 
I see why people opt into a juice cleanse while working 40-hours per week, but I really do not see why people put themselves through that torture. Many people do not realize that they need at least 1,200 calories in order for the organs and brain to function properly.
 
The brain burns calories just by thinking. People need energy and mental focus to sustain multi-tasking a hectic schedule.
 
The point about juicing is to restore and flush the body internally to better health. Juicing and working is like trying to drive a car 100 miles with only 60-miles worth of gas. People should opt into juicing on a relaxing weekend, or during a time when they will do nothing but hang out in a lounge chair at the beach.
 
Should I exercise while juicing?
Pretty much, I would say no. Light walking, gentle stretching/yoga and light swimming in the ocean/lake is okay. Connecting with nature during this time is perfect. Anything to burn calories or “rev” up the metabolism should be controlled. This is not the time to churn and burn per say.
 
Those who do are apt to messing up their metabolism and finding themselves worse off after than they did before. Most people will experience a headache or some “change” as the body tries to rid sugar, caffeine, alcohol, drugs etc.
 
Most of our lives are spent pushing the pedal to the metal so this is the time to slow down, relax and let yourself let go of things that no longer serve you. I believe that if you need to juice for weightloss you need to dig deep into your mind about image issues, eating habits and health behaviors. 
 
What Should I do while Juicing?
Besides relaxing, this is the time to get deep. There are very few people on the planet who live a “perfect” life. Journal, write or blog about your experience. Even if you never share it, this will be here for you to look back on it.
 
Most of us have the answer to our problems, but like most of us we don’t trust our instincts.

CONFRONT YOUR INNER WORLD! The first time I ever did a colonic was in graduate school at the University of Toledo. I loaded my brain with stress and stuffed my face with food. Everything felt so tight and tense.
 
Upon the first release from the colonic, I felt renewed, revived and restored. I literally felt like I shit out my emotions. I left smiling, happy to be alive and my head felt 10 pounds lighter. To say the least, there was something transformational that happened to my mindset when I let my physical body let go of the junk. Even if you have guilt about a relationship that ended a decade ago, your subconscious may still be clinging onto that – so confront it and shit it out of your head.
 
In the end, Mott’s OJ with Captain Crunch, I’d say is not the right way to consume juice. If you consume more whole foods like kale, spinach and beets, I suggest drinking it on an empty stomach and let yourself digest the juice. I would wait until your next hunger pang to either consume the food or your next bundle.

Has juicing been beneficial to you? I’d love to hear about your thoughts or experiences! 

Vending Machine in Riga, Latvia's Bus Terminal