Trends come and go, but the juicing craze may be here to stay. Although there are no proven health benefits of fruit and vegetable juices over the whole foods themselves, the modern busy lifestyle hardly gives us time to take in the daily recommended nine servings per day. Juicing is an excellent way to supplement your daily intake of vitamins and minerals, especially if you aren’t in the habit of eating nutrient-rich foods like chard, kale, berries, citrus, and beets on a daily basis. Even better, by tailoring your juice recipes and ingredients, you can use juicing to serve specific purposes and support your lifestyle.

juicing for nutritionJuicing Disclaimer

While juicing as a way to supplement a well-rounded diet can be wonderful for your health, we do not recommend the “juice fasts” or “juice cleanses” that have become so popular in recent years. Studies suggest that replacing well-rounded meals with a purely juice-based diet is not beneficial to your overall health. That being said, a freshly made juice made up of fruits and vegetables can be a great supplement to add important antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to a balanced diet. Below, you will find a few recipes that can support your lifestyle goals.

You will need an electric juicer* to make the most of these recipes.

Energy

Do you find yourself dozing off at your desk or lagging at the gym? Don’t subject your body to chemical-laden energy drinks; try one of these natural and nutritious alternatives instead:

Citrus Electrolyte Blast

Electrolytes generate electric activity in your cells, supporting energy and movement. This citrus-based recipe is bursting with electrolytes and Vitamin C.

  • 1/2 a large peeled pink grapefruit
  • 1 peeled tangerine
  • 2 peeled oranges
  • 1/2 of a peeled lemon

Superfood Boost

This combination of fruits and vegetables is packed with antioxidants and immune-supporting nutrients. The pepper and beetroot are natural stimulants to boost energy levels.

  • 2 carrots
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 2 broccoli florets
  • 1/2 of a small beet
  • 1/4 of a red pepper
  • 1 tomato
  • 1/4 of a cucumber

Go Greens

Leafy greens provide high levels of iron and antioxidants, both of which support energy and overall wellness. Ginger improves blood circulation and blood sugar levels, and also helps boost energy and alertness.

  • 1 green apple
  • 3 celery stalks
  • a handful of spinach
  • a handful of kale
  • a 1-inch slice of ginger

Digestion

From general tummy troubles to constipation and heartburn, digestive woes can be soothed by juices:

Low-Sugar Tummy Cure

For nausea, gas, or a mild upset stomach, this low-sugar option can help to soothe and relax.

  • 2 cucumbers
  • 1 small fennel bulb
  • a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger

Turmeric Sunrise for Constipation

This unique combination has a little bit of everything that’s known to get the digestive tract moving, including sorbitol-rich pears and high-fiber vegetables like celery and beets.

  • 3 medium carrots
  • 2 medium apples
  • 1 thumb length of ginger root
  • 2 peeled lemons
  • 2 medium pears
  • 6 thumb lengths of turmeric root
  • 3 stalks of celery, large
  • 1 small peeled orange

Green Earth Juice for Heartburn

Since heartburn (also known as acid reflux) is caused by an imbalance of acid in the gut, avoid high-acid foods like citrus when you experience heartburn. Instead, opt for pH-balancing choices such as this combination:

  • 1/4 or large wedge from a head of cabbage
  • 3 celery ribs
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 2 red apples
  • a 1/2-inch piece of ginger (or fennel or parsley)

Weight Loss

Juicing for weight loss has become a big fad in recent years, but we only recommend these juices as a supplement to a well-balanced diet. In other words, juices might be consumed as snacks, but not as replacements for complete meals. The key is to combine low-sugar ingredients that can help to cleanse your system of toxins and stimulate the metabolic process. Since these juices are not as sweet as many of those featured above, you could add half of a green apple or a teaspoon of natural stevia to improve the flavor of any of the following:

Tomato and Cucumber Mix

  • 3-½ cups chopped tomatoes
  • ​2 cups diced cucumber
  • ​1 stalk celery
  • ​½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • A few mint leaves for flavor (optional)

Watercress and Carrot Combo

  • 1 cup chopped watercress
  • 2-3 medium sized carrots
  • 2 Roma tomatoes diced
  • ½ cup spinach
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • ​1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Slimming Pepper & Grapefruit

  • 3 large carrots
  • 1 yellow pepper
  • 1 grapefruit
  • 1 small kiwi
  • ½ inch of fresh ginger, peeled (use a spoon!)
  • ​1 small beet

Try these ultra-productive juices at home and let us know which ones work best for you! You can shop for an electric juicer here.* Please also share your favorite juice recipes in the comment section below. Read more about nutrition on the Living Clean blog:

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