Juices can be a refreshing way to increase the amount of fluid you drink every day. In addition, dietician Jennifer K. Nelson of MayoClinic.com adds that drinking juices can provide your body with nutrients that you might not otherwise get if your diet doesn't always include enough fresh fruits and vegetables. When combined with a healthier plan of eating and regular physical activity, juice can also help you lose weight. Check with your doctor before making large-scale dietary changes.
Benefits of Juice
Just like the fruits and vegetables from which they are extracted, juices can provide a variety of nutritional benefits. According to the "Juicing Book," juice can provide vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and, perhaps most notably, high-quality water, which can help you lose weight by filling your stomach. In addition, Dr. Martha Grogan of MayoClinic.com explains that grape juice may impart some of the health benefits attributed to red wine. These include regulating blood pressure and decreasing levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol.
Using Juice to Reduce Weight
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is always the optimal way to enjoy getting the five servings per day recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consuming juice instead of fruit may add extra calories, so it's important to keep track of how much you consume daily. Fiber that you would normally get from eating fresh or frozen fruits or vegetables can still be used after juicing; add the pulp from the juicer to soups, stews or other dishes. Dietary fiber, combined with the nutrients from the juiced fruits or vegetables, can help curb your appetite.
Getting the Most from Your Juice
Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables in your home can provide even more nutrition than their canned, frozen or cooked counterparts. The "Juicing Book" explains that because you're using raw fruits and vegetables, valuable enzymes are preserved in the juice. Additionally, if you make your own juice, you can be sure of the nutritional content and the ingredients used to make it. This can help you keep your caloric intake down, by avoiding the sugar added to some prepackaged juices. Finally, be sure to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before juicing them.
Considerations
Even though juices add nutrients and water to your diet, the calories they contain must still be taken into account when trying to reduce weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends substituting healthy or healthier foods for processed foods, which can contain significant amounts of sugar and fat. If you're accustomed to having a rich dessert after dinner, consider substituting freshly juiced fruit or vegetable juice. You'll fill your stomach with high-quality water and nutrients that you otherwise wouldn't get. Additionally, having a glass of fruit or vegetable juice about a half hour before a meal can help you eat smaller amounts, helping you lose weight.
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