I’m often asked, “What’s the difference between juicing and smoothies? Which is better?”
The answers are simple: 1 – The fiber. 2 – It depends.
The whole point of juicing is to remove the fiber to make it even easier for the body to absorb the nutrients in the produce. Smoothies keep the fiber and blend all the ingredients down to also make it easier to digest and absorb the nutrition. But juicing, makes it that much simpler.
Here are a few things you want to consider when deciding to drink a juice or a smoothie:
1 – How long has it been since you’ve eaten?
I recommend drinking a juice or a smoothie on an empty stomach for the best nutrient absorption and the best digestion. If you eat right before or wile drinking a juice or smoothie you may find that you feel bloated after finishing. This is because the absorption of the liquid is slowed down by the food you ate and often causes the fruits or veggies to ferment in your stomach. So, you want the liquid to go into your digestive system first so there’s nothing to slow it down and the nutrients can be absorbed right away!
Personally, I like to start of most mornings with a juice. I love the feeling of all those nutrients being absorbed first thing. Then about an hour later, I eat breakfast and go on with my day.
2 – What’s the goal?
If the goal is to pull in as much nutrition as possible as quickly as possible, then I would recommend juicing. With the fiber removed, the body doesn’t have to do anything but take in the nutrition. If you’re working on getting healthy, fighting an illness, or detoxing your body, then I would absolutely chose a juice filled with greens and low on fruits.
If the goal is to feel fuller longer, then a smoothie is a better choice. Again, low on fruits, and high on greens.
3 – Juices & Smoothies should be high in greens and low in fruits.
Think of it this way: a juice or smoothie that is all (or mostly all) fruit is really a dessert. You generally want to shoot for a ratio of no more than about 30% fruit. And for the purposes of juicing and blending, carrots, beets, and tomatoes are considered fruits.
4 – The produce must must must be organic!
Whether you are juicing or blending, you must choose organic produce. Otherwise, you are simply concentrating the chemicals and pesticides and making it easier for your body to absorb them! Kind of defeats the whole purpose of getting healthy, right?
5 – Energy boosting
I found drinking a juice first thing in the morning or when energy starts to dip is the best. Essentially, if you are reaching for a coffee as an energy boost at 8am or 3pm, trying switching to a green juice instead. The nutrients in the juice will pull into your body quickly and will rush to help support your adrenal glands and mitochondria (energy of your cells). This will give you a better, more consistent energy throughout the day, without the caffeine.
