I'm learning that juice can be a little controversial and wanted to get the group's thoughts.
Do you count juice as a serving of fruit/vegetables?
Every cup of 100% juice says it is equal to a full serving. I know eating the whole vegetable is the "best" way to eat a serving as it is more filling, leaving you less likely to eat less healthy foods. But you do get the vitamins and minerals into your diet if you at least drink the juice.
And what about a smoothie. By blending it down are you making the fruits/veggies "less" good for you because they won't fill your belly as full? Or is it also another good way to get the vitamins and minerals we need.
Anyway, just curious on your thoughts. :) I want to make sure I've been counting points correctly if I count a cup of V8 or 100% apple juice as one of my servings on occasion.
I personally would count a green smoothie but not apple juice. In a smoothie you're getting the fiber of the fruit or veggie, but in juice you're just getting concentrated sugar. I don't know about v8, I never could stomach the stuff myself. :)
ReplyDeleteJuice is mostly sugar unless you are taking the fruit (or veggie) and juicing directly (like squeezing oranges to make orange juice). If you are using fresh fruit or spinach, you are taking them directly just ground up. I always feel like you should not waste time drinking calories, but use those to eat the actually fruit itself. It is more filling that way too.
ReplyDeleteFor purposes of this challenge I'd say they both count, granted you're being honest with yourself and not counting 4 cups of grape juice as your 4 servings. And I agree with the thoughts above. I wish I knew nutrition better--is the blended up fiber in a smoothie just as good as the raw vegetable?
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it is our body was meant to eat whole foods as the whole food itself is perfect and meant to be digested in its entirety. With fruit juice you are still getting all the vitamins and minerals but you are also getting all the natural sugars without the fruit's fibre which aids in your body managing the sugar spike. And don't get me started on pasteurization of fruit juices.LOL! What do you think it does to the live vitamins? I'm honestly asking because I don't know for sure. But, I don't think it's good. For myself, I'll take my whole, unpasteurized apple over apple juice any day. But I don't think there's anything wrong with smoothies. Just my opinion(s).
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've done some research. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I mom I live with people who either can't or won't eat fruits and veggies. From that perspective I am delighted if they at least get the juice so they can benefit from the nutrients. So I suppose I'm used to "counting" those as servings (knowing that the whole fruit is obviously the "best" choice).
Here is my favorite quick link about juicing vs. blending: http://in.gredients.com/2012/01/18/juicing-vs-blending-the-sugar-factor/
And here is a great one describing how blending effects fiber (esentially it says it contains just as much fiber in it's smooth form): http://in.gredients.com/2012/01/18/juicing-vs-blending-the-sugar-factor/
I meant THIS is the link about fiber: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/pureed-vegetables-much-fiber-fresh-1295.html
DeleteSo the first article reminded me that in Tawain they have little juice boxes (like here)but theirs are all cucumber, asparagus, and sweet pea flavored. So so foul. Anyway, funny memory. Thanks for looking into it.
ReplyDeleteGood info - thanks! I've been counting green smoothies this whole challenge for part of my servings - glad to hear that they are "legal".
ReplyDelete