There's nothing to beat fresh-squeezed orange juice on a lazy weekend morning, but recently, juicing has become popular among dieters. However, juicing isn't for everyone, and when used certain ways, it can even be dangerous. With a little information, you can decide if juicing is right for your unique needs and goals.
Benefits
The key to weight loss is consuming fewer calories than your body burns. Juicing can help you lose weight by helping you cut your calories. For example, an 8 oz. serving of vegetable juice has 50 calories, according to LIVESTRONG.com My Plate. Contrast that with the 100 calories found in a popular canned soft drink. Fruit- and vegetable-based juices also have more of the vitamins your body needs, which may help you stay more satisfied.
Considerations
Although juicing is much better than consuming empty-calorie soft drinks, juicing does have some drawbacks. According to Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, juicing removes almost all fiber from fruits and vegetables. That's a problem because fiber is one of the things that helps you maintain a sense of fullness. Another problem is that some fruit-based juices have more calories than soda; carrot juice has 130 calories, according to LIVESTRONG.com MyPlate. So enjoy juice but eat whole fruits and vegetables, too.
Warning
Homemade juices have a place in a healthy diet, but you'd be well-advised to steer clear of juice-based "cleansing" or "detox" diets. First, these diets don't work. The human body has built-in cleaning mechanisms, such as the liver and skin, reports Dr. Nasir Moloo, a gastroenterologist with Capitol Gastroenterology Consultants Medical Group in Sacramento, California, quoted by MSNBC. MSNBC also quotes Lona Sandon, a dietitian, who reports trying to subsist solely on juice deprives your body of important nutrients and can even cause loss of muscle tissue.
Buying a Juicer
If you've decided to make juicing part of your weight loss plan, you'll need to buy a juicer. Before investing in one, check product recalls. Similar to other electronic kitchen gadgets designed to break down food and process liquid, poorly made juicers can be dangerous, putting you at risk for cuts or electric shock. Consumer Reports recommends choosing a juicer with a solid, clear juice container so you can easily judge the juice level. Consumer Reports also recommends choosing a model with a large chute, which cuts down on your prep time.
References
- LIVESTRONG.com MyPlate: V8 Low Sodium Tomato Juice
- LIVESTRONG.com MyPlate : Pepsi Mug Root Beer
- MayoClinic.com: Vegetable Juice: As Good as Whole Vegetables?
- MayoClinic.com: Energy Density and Weight Loss : Feel Full on Fewer Calories
- LIVESTRONG.com MyPlate: Fresh Carrot Juice
- MSNBC: Experts Warn of Detox Diet Dangers
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