Recently I was asked for my opinion for an article that was
being written about the health benefits of various juices. I am not
a big juice fan personally unless the juice includes pulp and
contains vegetables.
Best pick-me up juice
No, not an ‘energy’ drink that temporarily revs your engine and
then later you crash. True energy to get you through your day comes
from nutrient-dense foods such as complex carbohydrates-our bodies’
main fuel source, healthy proteins and good quality fats. Raw foods
that have been juiced are easily absorbed into your body for quick
energy.
Here are some key ingredients to get you moving: Coconut water
contains electrolytes to replenish you and the natural sugar gives
a little burst of energy. Fruits, including the skins, and veggies
contain natural carbohydrates that you need to keep putting one
foot in front of the other. More veggies than fruit is always best
as most (non-starchy) veggies don’t spike your insulin levels.
If you add a little nut butter to your juice, (then it’s more of
a smoothie) then you just added some healthy fats and protein. Be
sure to use raw, not roasted nuts. Don’t forget wheatgrass
juice-it’s a wonder drink and will have you dancing down the
street.
Energy Drink-in the real sense of the word
2 cups coconut water
1 cucumber
1 carrot
1 apple
Small piece of fresh ginger or 1 clove garlic, peeled, if
you dare!
Best sweet-tooth craving substitute juice
Low glycemic fruits such as berries, cherries, apples and pears
may help alleviate your sugar cravings while providing you various
antioxidants and dietary fiber. Balance the addition of these
naturally sweet fruits with a handful of bitter greens. Try putting
a handful of watercress or endive in your smoothie.
Certain amino acids such as L-Glutamine have been shown to help
alleviate sugar cravings. Consuming protein at every meal is
important as well.
Sugar Buster
Be sure to use a juicer that saves all the pulp from the fruit,
such as a VitaMix
2 cups coconut water or pure water
1 ½ cups mixed berries
1 apple
½ bunch watercress
1 tablespoon hemp or flax oil
Remember to consume adequate protein that helps with sugar
cravings.
Best juice to curb hunger
Food is helpful to curb your hunger. That said, vegetable juice
could temporarily satisfy your body’s need for fuel. A few raw nuts
would be helpful to eat after you drink your veggies for a protein
and healthy fat source.
Some top anti-hunger veggies are carrots, celery, and cucumber.
Add in some fresh lemon juice for a little flavor kick and to add
another level of alkalinity to your body, imperative for good
health.
Best juice to boost your immune system
Shitake mushrooms are great for your immune system, but in juice
form? Maybe not so palatable.
Your immune system loves vitamin C, E, the carotenoids,
bioflavenoids, zinc and that much-loved member of the allium
family, garlic. Here is a great combination for you to try.
Immune Booster
2 tomatoes
1 celery stalk
2 cloves garlic
½ cucumber
Juice of one lemon
Best libido booster juice
Sexual health depends on our mental and physical well-being.
Good circulation is also a big part of sexual fitness, so be sure
to exercise regularly. Here are the top libido booster foods in
liquid from: Celery contains an ingredient that increases those
well-known pheromones in men that send out signals to women saying
here I am. Watermelon helps to relax blood vessels that increase
sex drive. Bananas and avocado contain potassium. Avocados also
contain a B vitamin, which is said to boost male hormone
production. These ingredients would make it more of a smoothie than
a juice.
Libido Juice
Start with 2 cups of pure water or coconut water and add:
Celery-2 stalks, ginger-a small piece, ½ banana, ½ avocado, a
handful of fresh basil, 3 figs. Foods included in this list are raw
oysters-high in zinc, which is important to men’s prostate health,
asparagus and artichokes. Chocolate could also be included in this
list much to many people’s delight.
Best juice for clear, glowing skin
High-nutrient, high-water content vegetables and fruits support
healthy skin. Food containing vitamin A and beta-carotene are
helpful for skin health as are zinc and silica-rich foods.
Yellow-orange veggies are fruits are generally good sources of
vitamin A and beta carotene: Sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut
squash, pumpkins, cantaloupes, apricots, mangoes, but also dark
leafy greens such as kale, beet greens, romaine lettuce, collard
greens and spinach.
Healthy Skin Juice
2 cups pure water
2 large carrots
2 kale leaves or one large collard leaf
Handful of spinach
2 apricots
½ mango
Sip and enjoy, then eat some raw pumpkin seeds, a few Brazil
nuts for your zinc intake. Have a salad for lunch full of silica
rich foods such as green beans, leeks, cucumbers and garbanzo
beans. Remember that essential fatty acids are vital to skin health
and can be found in cold-water fish such as salmon and sardines,
and also olive, hemp and flax oil. Adequate water consumption is
key as well. Also, remember your colon: a high-fiber diet
consisting of copious amounts of veggies, mostly non-starchy such
as kale and broccoli, and whole grains and legumes keep your bowels
moving which prevents the absorption of toxins in your system that
leads to problems with the skin.Â
Patty James M.S., C.N.C., DirectionFive Health
Founder and Director, www.directionfive.org
707-888-1103
Nutritionist/Chef/Writer, Co-author of More Vegetables,
Please! www.pattyjames.com
