About 90% of Americans don’t get to eat the number of servings in the fruits and vegetable category as a regular part of their diet. People are busy with their daily activities and work schedules that they tend to eat the fastest food that they can their hands on. Most of the time, individuals would order fast food because it’s cheaper and fast. If you prefer a healthier lifestyle, then you could try having healthy meals delivered to your home that includes juices or blended drinks. Don’t know whether to choose juices or blended drinks? Well, here’s some information about the difference between the two to help you choose.
Different Process and Equipment
The main difference between a juice and a blended drink lies on how they are made. For juicing, the liquid part of a fruit or vegetable is separated from its pulp or the fiber. What remains is a concentrated juice that contains vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. In the case of blending, the whole fruit is used and the product is a smoothie.
It’s vital to use the right equipment to get the most benefit from your drink, whether it’s a juice or a blended one. Cheaper juicers introduce heat to the product that destroys the vitamins and minerals in the fruits and vegetables, which defeats the purpose of juicing altogether. A cold-press juicer while expensive will save you money in the long run because it produces quality nutritious juice and it is also more durable than cheaper juicers. If you are opting for a blended drink, a good blender that can blend fruits and vegetables evenly to produce a smooth finish is great so you can easily drink it.
Nutrition and Weight Loss
Due to the process of juicing, its portion size is smaller compared to smoothies, but it’s nutrient dense. Your body can absorb the nutrients very fast because it doesn’t contain fibers, which takes time to be broken down by the body. If you want a low-fiber diet and an option that’s easier to drink, juicing is the better option.
Smoothies contain fiber that helps you to feel fuller and improves your digestive health. Blended beverages are thicker and you may need more time to drink it. Since it contains fiber, it will take time for your body to absorb the nutrients. Also, smoothies also have more calories because you are eating the whole fruit or vegetable compared to juices that only contains the liquid part.
Both juices and smoothies will be a great addition to your diet. Doing a juice cleanse can clean your digestive tract to kickstart your weight loss by having healthier eating habits. One of the criticisms against juices is that they contain more sugar than sodas. However, you can easily make delicious, sugar-free juices by using substitute flavors such as lemon or lime.
There are advantages and disadvantages to juicing and blending. Either way, they boost your intake of fruits and vegetables. If you’re on the go and need something to pick your energy, pair your healthy meal with a nutritious juice.