What’s the difference between juicing and blending

The difference is simple. Juicing extracts the liquid (the heart and soul) from vegetables and fruits leaving the fibre in the catch bucket (great for veggie chips, compost or to sprinkle over dog food). Just think of the volume of veggies you can pack into your glass! Even those of us with the heartiest of appetites would find it challenging to consume the same amount of raw vegetables and fruits with a fork.

“But I thought fibre was good for you?” Yes you’re right, and if you’re following a whole foods, low-glycaemic fruits and raw veggies diet, you’re getting plenty of it. Blending on the other hand … blends! The produce is whirled and pureed into scrumptious smoothies, fibre and all.

Fruits and vegetables are good for you — no one would argue with that. As a matter of fact, official guidelines suggest that we eat 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit, and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables every day. When consumed at these levels, fresh produce may be able to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer, while also helping to manage your weight. –Healthline

So what’s all the fuss over which is better?

It depends on what you’re looking for. I have to say that blending is my preference. Blending is a surefire way to pack leafy greens into your diet (especially those that you may not find all that palatable). They’re also a great way to sneak veggies into finicky kids’ meals. Some folks find green smoothies to be more filling since they contain fibre, which is es­sential for keeping your system clean and running smoothly. I whip up a smoothie most days and a juice a couple times a week especially in summer to mix up my routine and tickle my taste buds.

 

But make no mistake about it—juicing rocks too.

Green juices and smoothies do share many healthful benefits, but for the purpose of repair and renewal, juicing is best. Juices are easier to digest and assimilate. Digestion uses an enormous amount of energy. This is one of the reasons I tell people not to overeat or chow down late. Your body does a deep clean at night. If you’re stuffed to the brim, it must suspend service to deal with what’s in your stomach.

Juices are predigested (the juicer does all the work!) Therefore, juices need very little, if any, digestion. As a result, your body can shift its healing efforts to other, more critical efforts. Juicing is the easiest way to get phytonutrients in their most absorbable form be­cause the concentrated nutrients go straight into your bloodstream.

So do what’s right for you. It may change over time. Go with the flow as you embrace this new lifestyle.

 

What’s the difference between juicing and blending? – Getting Started

If you’re new to green drinks, pace yourself for an enjoyable experience. Try integrating a juice or smoothie into your morning routine a couple of times a week initially and then up your game from there to daily, especially in spring & summer. Your taste buds will also need some time to catch up, especially if they’re used to frothy caps and Earl Grey tea. I suggest beginning with gentle veggies such as baby spinach, baby cos, cucumber and celery, and then experimenting with the stronger stuff like kale and parsley. Your green drink practice should make you shine, not shudder.

One thing you’ll want to do first is organizing your kitchen. Set up a juicing/blending station. Make sure your tools of the trade are accessible. If they live in that useless (and hard to reach) cabinet over the fridge, you may not use them as much. Over time you’ll get in a rhythm. You’ll build a system. And it will all flow from start to easy, glorious finish. Above all, relax and have fun. They’re just juices and smoothies!