The Differences & Benefits of Smoothies and Juicing
Try our easy juice and smoothie recipe ideas and reap the benefits of these bold beverages!
The delicious tastes, customization possibilities and vast health benefits make smoothies and juices great for boosting your health in the new year. But what exactly is the difference between smoothies and juices?
Primarily, the difference is in production. Smoothies involve blending whole ingredients, while juices involve pressing fruits and veggies to separate the pulp, creating a more concentrated liquid.
Qualities of Smoothies:
- Smoothies fill you up longer since using whole ingredients maintains the fiber.
- Satisfying smoothies allow you to enjoy a nourishing mix of produce, healthy fats, and proteins like nutrient-dense chia seeds, flax seed, nut butters, Greek yogurt, ginger, matcha or fresh herbs.
- Take smoothies on the go, or go beyond the cup and enjoy smoothies in bowls! Garnish smoothie bowls with fruit slices and toppings like granola, walnuts, and honey.
Start with these recipe ideas to create your best smoothie!
● Berry Smoothie: Loaded with heart-healthy antioxidants, frozen mixed berries make healthful additions to smoothies. To make two berry smoothies, blend 1 cup apple juice, ½ cup yogurt and 2 cups frozen mixed berries until smooth.
● Green Smoothie: If you don’t eat enough greens, drink them! For two green smoothies, freeze one sliced banana, one sliced apple, and ½ cup kale. Purée 1½ cups mango juice, ½ cup vanilla yogurt, ¼ cup chopped cucumber, 1 tablespoon flax seed, and the frozen ingredients in a blender until smooth.
● Chocolate-Almond Smoothie: Smoothies can be a treat, too! Combine sweet ingredients like unsweetened chocolate almond milk with plain Greek yogurt, oats, flax seeds, peanut butter, and banana for a decadent drink!
Qualities of Juices:
- Fresh-pressed juices are incredibly concentrated, supplying the body with a host of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
- While juices won’t satiate you as much as smoothies, they can aid in boosting immunity and help the body better absorb nutrients.
- Drinking fresh-pressed juices first thing in the morning on an empty stomach allows your body to absorb the nutrients quicker and is a recommended practice for optimal health.
- Be sure to drink fresh juices immediately after juicing to avoid contamination.
- A juicer appliance allows you to create fresh juices in a flash. If you don’t have a juicer, you can use a blender, a bowl, and a fine-mesh strainer. However, juicers maximize the juice’s vitality.
Juicing takes a small amount of effort and dedication, but the effects on your body make it worthwhile. Drink the rainbow to ensure you consume a variety of nutrients. Juice it up in the New Year with these colorful fresh juice recipes!
● Red: Gala apples, beets, strawberries, pomegranate arils
● Orange: Gala apples, carrots, mangos, oranges
● Yellow: Golden Delicious apple,s golden beets, pineapples, lemons
● Green: Granny Smith apples, kiwis, celery, cucumbers, kale
● Blue: Honeycrisp apples, blueberries, purple grapes, cucumbers, mint leaves
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Choosing between smoothies and fresh-pressed juices depends on your needs and preferences; turn to smoothies for a substantial, fiber-rich beverage, and homemade juices to get a quick nutrient burst.
Your local Giant Eagle or Market District has the ingredients to help you make your best smoothies and juices!
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