The Juicing Craze
It first started out slow, but juicing is now the new thing in today’s world of what we call “clean eating.” After all, some of our favorite star role models like Selma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, Megan Fox, and even Ryan Seacrest have started to partake in this new phenomenon – so why shouldn’t we do it, too?
The pros of downing these liquid “detox drinks” are that 1) they give your body a plentiful amount of needed antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, and 2) they are low in fats, sugars, and salts… All elements of food that we do not wish to consume.
Although these healthy drinks are great for us, there is evidence of cons, as well. Here is a list of the cons: 1) the drinks aren’t giving your body the protein it needs, thus your body is losing muscle weight instead of actual fat weight over time; this is also decreasing your overall strength, 2) the fiber is lost from the drinks if you do not add the pulp back into it at the end of the juicing process; this results in a high-carb, low-protein, and low-fiber diet, which, in turn, creates dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and mood swings, and 3) the juices do not fill you up as much as whole foods do, so it is hard to maintain the plan over time.
The solution is this: In order to reap the benefits of juicing, replace a meal with a drink, while adding some protein on the side. To minimize the calories and carbs in your beverage, stick with leafy greens and small amounts of fruit, such as a handful of berries. When I make mine, I use kale, Swiss chard, sometimes some spinach leaves, and strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. This makes for a healthy snack or dinner supplement. Best of all, these drinks make you feel full and content, and that’s all us college students need!
Sources:
http://www.joybauer.com/healthy-living/the-juicing-craze-health-or-hype.aspx
http://promiscuouseating.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/juicing/