Drink Your Fruits and Veggies?

Juicing has been all the rage lately, with young and old alike replacing chewable meals with liquid lunches and drinkable dinners. But is it safe?

The New York Times recently discussed the juicing trend and how it can both be helpful and harmful for our bodies. Although consuming several serving of fruits, vegetables and other superfoods in smoothies and juice mixtures can provide a rich intake of antioxidants and vitamins, it can also be dangerous for our waistlines. Sometimes people think that by consuming smoothies or juices rather than meals, they are limiting their caloric intake. In fact, it can be just the opposite. Juices are a concentrated source of calories. If not done in moderation, juicing can add pounds.

Another thing to keep in mind is that juices often are not nutritionally identical to original whole ingredients. The vitamins, minerals and fiber of many fruits and vegetables are found in their skin and pulp, but most juicers remove the pulp in order to make a smoother drink. Additionally, many people remove the skins of fruits and vegetables that they would normally eat (such as apples or cucumbers) when juicing. One way to help preserve the ingredients’ natural health benefits is by using a high-powered blender that emulsifies the skin and pulp to create a juice with a smoothie-like consistency.

While it may be tempting to jump on the juicing bandwagon, schedule a consultation with your primary care provider to determine if it's safe and healthy for you. In addition to knowing each patient personally, concierge physicians like those at Principal Medical Group stay on top of current health trends and news so they can help patients navigate a safe and healthy way to losing weight and maintaining good health. Contact Principal Medical Group to learn more about its nutrition and lifestyle counseling services.