27 Aug Four Reasons to Love Juicing

The juicing phenomenon is fast becoming one of the most popular (and delicious) ways for the health-conscious among us to get all the nutrients we need from our favourite fruits and veggies. But what is it exactly that makes drinking freshly squeezed, home-made juice so much better for us than simply picking up a carton of juice at the supermarket? Take a look at these juicy details and you might just get inspired to start squeezing:

What you see is what you get

The box might be labelled as Pomegranate or Raspberry, but commercial juice makers will often use large quantities of the cheapest juices (ie grape and apple) to supplement the more costly ingredients. But arm yourself with a juicer and your favourite fruits and veggies, and you’ll be able to control exactly what you put into every recipe – and naturally, what you get out.

Seasonal eating made easier

Pre-packaged juices in every flavour can be found on the supermarket shelves all year round; out-of-season food products typically require more resources to grow and create more carbon emissions during import and export. Juicing, however, requires you to choose your own fresh produce and you’ll find that price and availability improve when a product is in season. By using seasonal fruits and vegetables, you’re making a choice that’s kinder to your body, your wallet and the environment.

No sugary secrets

At first glance, fruit juice may seem like a healthier alternative to fizzy soft drinks, but this often isn’t the case. Most boxed fruit juices are high in calories and sugar (much of it in the form of high-fructose corn syrup), and they’re not filling, which means you could easily end up consuming a glass of empty calories on top of your normal daily intake. By extracting juice straight from the fruit yourself, you’re only getting the fructose that’s naturally present in the fruit.

Naturally nourishing

Commercial juices typically include artificial flavours, fragrances and preservatives in their ever-expanding lists of ingredients, retaining little of the fruit’s natural goodness. Freshly squeezed juice is full of all those wonderful vitamins, minerals and enzymes you won’t find in a boxed product. It’s easy for your body to digest, and fuels your system with essential nutrients. By juicing, you can effectively boost your overall health and wellbeing – a claim that no commercial juice manufacturer can make for their product.

Sound good?

If you’re planning to greet summer with a cleansed system after a natural juice detox, or simply planning to make juicing a part of your family’s daily diet, getting started couldn’t be simpler. All you will need is a reliable juicer (a manual or masticating model depending on your needs), a selection of fresh produce and of course, a recipe book. Keeping it Simple by acclaimed “Juice Master” Jason Vale (coming soon to our online store) is packed with nutritional info, creative recipes and beautiful colour photographs – ideal for beginners and long-time juicing enthusiasts alike.

What’s the biggest benefit you’ve enjoyed thanks to juicing? Do you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you, so tell us your juicy story by leaving a comment!