Juicing v Blending (smoothies)

Juices and smoothies have become a modern morning staple in many of our diets, both have been around for many decades. Juicing in particular have been used by our early naturopath’s to help in the body’s detoxification and healing.

There are major differences between juicing and blending but many people do get the two confused and believe they are the same thing. I often suggest a specific juice to help support a health issue but the word juice can be misunderstood and they head off and start blending only to find the smoothie really unpalatable as the bulk used for juicing is more than you would add to a smoothie.

Most of us will find a blender lurking around in a dark corner of a cupboard somewhere, it is a familiar electronic we have probably all used in the kitchen over the years. On the other hand, juicers are not your average kitchen gadget and often people will assume they do the same thing – they don’t.

The most common blending today is what we now call a smoothie, so what is the difference and is one better than the other?

SMOOTHIES V JUICING

Smoothies – When we add fruits and vegetables to a blender the fibres remain; it literally just blends the produce together. This blend of fruits and vegetables can remain as a whole food as nothing is taken away. In the blending process the produce is masticated down as it would be if chewed so it can be easier to digest once it reaches the stomach/small intestine. Basically, what you put in the blender is what you will drink, nothing is strained out. With the fibre remaining you will feel fuller for longer. For those on a low fibre diet (i.e inflammatory bowel diseases) smoothies would be best avoided or for those that may also have small intestinal/digestive issues that the excess of fibre could irritate.

Fibre is needed for healthy bowel motility and for feeding and nourishing our friendly bacteria as well as absorbing toxins from the digestive system and eliminating them.

Adding smoothies to our daily routine can deliver a higher yield of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and of course fibre in one large glass. It’s a great way to start the morning and for some it is the ideal way to enjoy 5-6 portions of various leafy greens/veggies and fruits.

Blending fruits and vegetable this way not only delivers key nutrients it is a great way to get some ‘raw’ produce into the diet. Raw foods from fruits and vegetables deliver enzymes that help digestion and give us more energy, an inner glow, clearer skin and more.

Juicing – this is a process whereby the fluid of the fruit or vegetable is ‘separated’ from the fibre/pulp, therefore juicing is not technically a whole food as there is a separation from the all important fibre. You can keep some of the pulp and add to a salad later. However, juicing is used for different reasons which include –

Fasting purposes.

To take the load off the digestive system and allow it to rest

To enjoy a life force rich green juice in the morning.

For detoxification as the nutrients can enhance cleansing whilst keeping a low level of calories

To help individuals who need to have a low fibre diet due to inflammatory bowel issues or inflammation in the small intestine where the fibre could aggravate. Removing the fibre/pulp allows the nutrients to be delivered much quicker as well as providing hydration.

When we juice vegetables and fruits we use lots more produce that we would blending, for instance you may use 3-4 carrots, ½ -1 cucumber, few stalks celery, handful of greens, apple/pear/pomegranate etc, this would be too much to blend and drink, some people when they have confused the two have put too much produce in a blender, they cannot drink it or perhaps very little of it as it does not taste great and likely to cause digestive upset drinking all that fibre in one sitting.

When we juice this does not happen, the digestive system has so little work to do and therefore our energy is directed to cleansing and healing instead.

Juicing can be used for fasting/cleansing over a few days or even just 1 day for a digestive respite or part of an every day healthy green juice (rotating those greens remember) in the morning, then enjoying a meal rich with healthy fibres (veggies, salads, seeds, etc), proteins, healthy fats etc through the rest of the day.

Juicing is highly hydrating due to the natural water content, however it can be more expensive than smoothies as you really do need to use more produce and where possible buying organic.

I personally use both unless I am focusing on a period of fasting and therefore I will make several juices during that day and no other solid foods.

You can enjoy having both in a day, a green juice in the morning and a smoothie later morning before starting more solid food later in the day.

Smoothies and juices will introduce natural live enzymes from the raw produce as well as the minerals/vitamin and phyto-nutrients they provide so both do have a place in supporting our health.