Juices vs. Smoothies

Similarly to so many other comparisons out there, there is no right or wrong. There is winner; no one that is better than the other because both are fantastic and offer pros that the other does not. Additionally, it depends on personal preference and depends on the situation or needs of the individual. Nevertheless the debate continues.

First, what is the difference?

Juices are made by extracting the liquid from the solids. So essentially separating the water and nutrients from the pulp or the insoluble fibre.

Smoothies are made by blending all the ingredients together; meaning the whole fruit or vegetable. Nothing is being extracted or separated, only broken down in a smooth, drinkable consistency.

When would juices be a more fitting choice?

Without the insoluble fibre, your body, specifically the digestive system will not have to work as hard to break down the food in order to properly absorb the nutrients. As a result, the nutrients in juices are more readily available for our bodies; meaning the nutrients will enter our blood sugar much faster than if the fibre contents were present. Therefore, people who may have more trouble with digestion or have a sensitive digestive system that makes digesting or processing fibre more difficult may want to consume more juices. Think of juicing as a way of healing and cleansing your body because it gives our body a break and allows it to focus on other things such as detoxifying and getting rid of the toxins and waste.

When would smoothies be a more fitting choice?

The fibre slows down the digestive process and provides a steady release of nutrients into the bloodstream. By blending up the fruits, veggies and other ingredients, it helps break down the fibre for us so it’s easier to digest than chewing it and eating the foods whole. For the most part, smoothies are more filling and can keep us going for a longer period of time, compared to juices. Smoothies also allows for more versatility with the ingredients that can be added; the sky’s the limit. Smoothies are great for people who are on the go, it’s great as a meal-replacer, a pre or post workout meal, or just when you simply do not want to chew a whole meal.

Some words of caution:

  • When juicing yourself: avoid too much fruit. Start with the greens and add small amounts of fruit. Too much fruit consumed out of its natural, whole, fibre-rich state may cause our blood sugar levels to rise too quickly.
  • When blending yourself: avoid too many ingredients. I like to stick to a maximum of 5-6 ingredients. This is especially important with the superfoods or supplements such as protein powders. Just keep it easy and simple, as this will be more beneficial for our bodies and digestive system. Additionally adding ingredients is essentially adding more calories than one can typically consume if eaten whole; so just keep that in mind.

So which do I choose, you ask? At home, I drink smoothies. When I’m out, I drink juices. One reason being I do not own a juicer, so the choice is obvious. I also personally like to have control of what I’m putting into my smoothies, I’m kinda picky  in that sense. Nevertheless, I love to consume both.

Which do you prefer and why? What are your favourite juice or smoothie combinations? Let me know!


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