Originally published February 27 2011
Smoothies verses juice - Join the battle to get your greens
by Heidi Fagley
(NaturalNews) Collards, kale, parsley - you can be sure anything green of the plant world is most likely going to benefit the body in extraordinary ways. Yet should we smoothie or should we juice? Now that is the question. It seems like some are standing strong in their corner for their quest to gain the largest dose of green nutrients. So does it make a difference to our bodies? Is there a right or wrong way to drink our greens?
There is a difference between the two, and the truth is there is nothing wrong with either of them - they are simply different opinions.
We all know by now that if it's green and of the plant world, then it's most likely a nutrient-dense power food that will feed our systems in miraculous ways. Greens are full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and chlorophyll.
In this corner we have the green smoothie. A blend of one or more greens mixed with one or more fruits that has recently been grabbing the attention of health-conscious consumers. Green smoothies refer to the whole plant and fruit blended together, and because of this they are considered a whole food. The hearty smoothie that can be sipped and chewed as a meal is full of readily assimilated and easily digestible whole fruits and vegetables.
Since nutrients are stored within plants cells, in order to get the full benefit of those nutrients, the cell walls need to be ruptured. To blend the greens into a creamy smoothie, you'll need a high-speed blender.
And in this corner we have the green juice - a concentrated form of nutrition. Juices are a fractured food, which means they are void of fiber. Because the juicer extracts the fiber, you can consume a large amount of vegetables in just one drink. Removing the fiber also provides your digestive tract with rest. Since your body doesn't have to break down the vegetables in order to absorb the nutrition, it is allowed to focus on repair, healing, detoxification, and renewal.
One controversy on both sides has been the amount of sugar. Smoothies contain whole fruit; juices contain the juice of the fruit. You have the ability to determine how much of anything goes into either one.
Some will say to drink your greens first thing in the morning, for this is when they are best assimilated. This works for some; for others it's too much sugar on an empty stomach. Pay attention to your body and move forward from trial and error.
There are no rules or regulations for making your own green drinks. Either one can be blended whole or juiced alone - no fruit is required. Most people are adding fruit to take the edge off the bitter taste that can come with most greens.
Which one to choose? Either one or both. What is your current state of health? What are you looking for? ... meal replacement? ... concentrated nutrition? Whichever preference you choose, make sure to rotate your greens. Both drinks should be consumed as close as possible to making them, and organic is crucial - concentrated pesticides aren't a good thing for anyone!
Greens can be combined with any other food and actually enhance digestion by stimulating enzyme production.
The fact is both greens drinks are pretty darn good for the body. If you're facing a health challenge, consult your doctor as to which one might be best for you. In the end, getting your greens is the most important factor. And whether you choose to blend or juice your way to getting them - just get them!
http://greensmoothiesblog.com/green-smoothie...
http://www.rawfamily.com/green-smoothie/gree...
http://www.squidoo.com/greensmoothies
http://www.greenforlife.com/gsfaq.htm
http://juicing.mercola.com/sites/juicing/jui...
http://greensmoothiesblog.com/blending-vs-ju...
About the author
Heidi Fagley is a Holistic Nutritionist and has two culinary arts degrees - one in Raw, Living Foods and another in Natural Foods. Educating others about nutrition and the benefits of using whole foods to heal and prevent disease is her passion.
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