Juicing vs. Smoothies

[ihugtrees]

We have been doing green smoothies most mornings for 4 months now. I have thought about juicing, and am curious about the health benefits...which is better, juicing or smoothies? Does one allow more nutrients than the other? Does one break down easier than the other? I know green smoothies make a huge difference in the way I feel and the way I eat throughout the day, and don't want to waste the money on a juicer if it isn't better. However, smoothies are really hard for me to get down in the morning...I don't like sweet stuff and textures weird me out. So I basically force the smoothie down because I know it's good for me. I think juice would be so much easier for me to get down, but I'm not sure if it would fill me up the same way (I still eat breakfast an hour or two after my smoothie, though!)

What about getting little ones to drink them? Which is easier? My daughter is 7 months and is starting to figure out a cup (and solids in general), so I've thought I might let her try smoothies soon, but perhaps juice would be easier for her? I'm also nervous about getting her 'hooked' on juice though!

[WuWei]

Check Craig's list. I found a $90 Jack LaLane juicer for $16 nearly new in the box. Works great 2 years later.

Pat

[Sayward]

It's my understanding that the main difference is the bulk (fiber). The micronutrients are about the same (probably a bit more in smoothies, but essentially negligible)

If your family eats plenty of other fruits and veggies, I'd say juicing may be the way to go for you. But if you need the extra fiber, stick with the smoothies.

It's great that you do that each day, and that you're teaching your kids to enjoy green things!

[Smokering]

Funny - I have texture issues with juice! Mum used a cheap juicer that left a kind of scummy foam on the top, and the juice was never smooth like store-bought juice - it always had tiny tiny shreds in it. It really put me off. Better juicers might avoid those issues, though.

As for goodness, I'd say it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. Yoghurt is very good for you, and smoothies make better vehicles for other additives like flax seeds, honey and raw egg. Green juices give you a good wallop of vitamins. Juices that are primarily apple- or pear-based do contain quite a lot of (natural) sugars, though.

[LeahBoo]

I prefer smoothies because I'm lazy. Juicers are not fun to clean.

[calebsmommy25]

I like both, but juicing leaves me more energized than a smoothie. One of our fav combos is beets, carrots and apple. We do use the juice we make to make smoothies too, it is an easier way to mix in kale, and flaxseeds. Mmmm....now I have a hankering for some good juice! Thanks!

[es1967]

I do smoothies a few days a week and then juice a few days a week. Ds started drinking smoothies when he was around 1.5 yrs old. Can't remember when I first made a fresh juice for him. Ds is now 3yrs old and loves helping me make them. He even loves adding superfood to his juice. When we do smoothies we get our greens and fruit but w juicing I generally do apple and carrot combos for him. I 'll do various veggie combos for myself. Its too bad you are not enjoying your smoothies. What are you putting in them?
Regarding nutrition I think they are equally nutritious. I find smoothies sweeter and some days prefer a veggie juice thats not sweet.

[FireWithin]

For me, I have found that juicing was the best option. I am able to get a pile of veggies in me, focusing on key nutrients that I need. In two days I will drink a full head of romaine, two cucumbers and an entire bunch of celery.
Now that I can eat apples again, I will sweeten my juice with 1/2 an apple. I was doing grapes.

I will then take this mildly earthy juice and add it to a smoothie with whole frozen fruit, including banana and add some egg yolk. I will have a bit of it, but most of it will be for my boys for straight up drinking or ice pops. Neither boy likes my less sweet juice, but I don't wish to give them pure fruit juice because of all of the sugar. So this is working for us.