We know that the best way to increase our alkalinity and detox our bodies is to consume a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. But, to juice or not to juice, to blend or not to blend…that is the question! Which one is best? If you’re looking to make an investment in your health and you are confused as to what is a better buy comparing a juicer or blender, this post is for you. I get asked this a lot by people that are trying to increase weight loss and detox their bodies. You might think the differences between juicing and blending are obvious, but in actuality, there’s a lot of confusion about which one is better.
I began adding both juices and smoothies into my diet years ago after doing a ton of research about living a plant-powered lifestyle. Juicing and blending became an integral part of my eat good, feel good plan. Juicing and blending have so many benefits like increased red blood cells, improved circulation as well as the elimination of inflammation and harmful free radicals. We stack the odds in our favor when we feed our body proper nutrition, whether it’s juiced or blended. Each method has its unique perks. Here I will share with you the benefits of each, what the difference between juicing and blending is, and which ones I prefer at different times.
What’s the difference between Juicing and Blending?
01. Fiber
The main difference between juices and smoothies is fiber. Blending a smoothie allows you to keep much more fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which is great for moving things through the gut. Fiber is very beneficial to the body as it helps to keep blood sugar levels low and balanced. Those with diabetes can benefit greatly from adding smoothies to their daily diet. The added fiber helps keep you full for longer and with a busy schedule, this can really help.
Juicing your fruits and vegetables removes the fiber by separating and extracting it, this is the pulp you see that comes out from your juicer. This extra pulp or fiber that is found in smoothies, can slow down the absorption of nutrients. Juicing allows you to extract a ton of nutrients from your fruits and vegetables and without the fiber, your body is able to absorb up to 99% of these nutrients more efficiently. Getting clear on your goals will help in deciding whether juicing, blending, or a combination of the two is best. If you’re trying to get more nutrients into your body then juicing is going to be your best bet. But, if you’re wanting to have sustained energy, cleanse the gut, and /or balance your blood sugar levels then blending would accomplish those goals in a better way.
02. Cost
Factoring in the cost is a key component in deciding whether to juice or blend. I hate to be the one to admit it, but healthy food does cost more, especially if you don’t know how to buy produce on a budget. Check out my Beginners Guide to Buying Produce, for helpful tips on shopping on a budget.
The overall cost of juicing is more since you are using more produce, but you are also increasing your nutrients which will help the overall health of your body, which means the extra cost is a valid one. But, if you are trying to say within a more limited budget, then blending is going to be the less expensive option. You use less produce with blending, and if you’re like me and use bananas for almost every smoothie, you can plan to save even more. Bananas are super cheap, very healthy, and filling. Plus, they are good with almost everything! I’ve blended bananas with cucumber, celery, beet, all kinds of greens, nut butter, and a large variety of fruits.
03. Time
The most frequent excuse I hear is, “I don’t have enough time.” I say it! We all say it! But, let’s face it, it’s just an excuse. Understand that you have enough time to do whatever you want to, so you have to want to juice. I am super busy and I still find ways to work it into my schedule to juice on a regular basis. But if for any reason I don’t juice, I will for sure make myself a smoothie. It’s just an easy and convenient way to get a ton of nutrients into the body.
Make your routine work for you. The easier it is, the more likely you will keep it up. If you want to start juicing daily, you can make the time for that. Get up 10 min earlier. If you’re constantly on the go and can’t seem to spare 5 to 10 minutes in the morning, juicing the night before can save a lot of time. Keep in mind that blenders and centrifugal juicers oxidize the juice, causing it to lose nutrients much faster than that a slow masticating juicer, so those juices have to be consumed right away and not stored. Juice from a slow masticating juicer can be stored for up to 72 hours in the fridge and for 7 days in the freezer. You could easily get all your juicing done in one day for your week, making it much easier on you, especially if you’re doing a juice fast or juice detox. Know what your goal is and act accordingly.
04. Creativity
Both juicing and blending allow you to get creative. I love playing with the many combinations of flavors. Blending, however, allows you to add a wider range of ingredients. My favorite ingredients to add to smoothies are chia and flax seeds, which are perfect if you’re wanting to add more omega 3s & 6s to your diet. Hemp Seeds make it creamier and they are a great source of added protein. I also love adding the nut butters…mmmm! Almond butter is great to add to your smoothie and with some dates…wow, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. If you fill your smoothie with all the added protein, healthy fats, and carbs, it can serve as a nutrient-dense, convenient, and delectable meal. These types of recipes are only possible in a blender and we love them!
05. Nutrition
Many people seem to have an opinion about this topic. Some say blending is best because it includes all of the fiber and others say juicing is best because it has a higher nutrient density. Honestly, I don’t think it really matters. Both are great. They are just different and have different benefits. Juicing gives your digestive system a rest while allowing all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients to flood your body.
When you juice you are extracting around 70% of the nutrition you need right into your glass and without the insoluble fiber your body absorbs up to 99% of these nutrients.
So for those looking to heal and repair the body, juicing will offer a ton of health benefits in a gentle way. I love to juice and find it very rewarding for both body and mind. It really just depends on your own preferences and what you have going on in your day. As long as we all can agree that consuming a diet high in fruits, veggies, and leafy greens, we will be in the best of health.
Here Are My Favorite Times To Juice And Blend!
My first BIG purchase was a high-speed blender but it wasn’t until we started juicing that our whole body and the way we ate shifted for the better. If you are just starting out, I always recommend investing in a blender first. This is especially true if you’re just starting your health journey, you will definitely get good use of it. If you are already well on your journey and are really wanting to increase your intake of fruits and veggies then getting a juicer will help significantly. Here is how I use both my juicer and blender.
Blender: I use my blender daily. This typically includes a smoothie for breakfast, a dip or salad dressing for lunch, and then maybe a soup or sauce for dinner. If life gets too busy or I’m stressed out, then I will usually live off smoothies and cuddles as an act of self-care.
Juicer: I use my juicer more in the spring and summer to keep myself hydrated. I also do a ten-day juice cleanse every year to reboot and rejuvenate my body. In the summer I’m juicing almost every day. In fall and winter, I probably juice once a week or less.
I hope this post helps with understanding the difference between juicing and blending. I’d love to hear from you. Do you drink more juices or smoothies? Does it vary depending on the time of day, the season, or life in general…? Share in the comments below, I would love to hear your feedback and ideas that help you maintain healthy habits. Stay tuned for more :)
Hugs,
6 Comments
Hey< I hope you are doing great. You shared awesome knowledge about juicing and blending. Thanks
great info!
When planning a juice fast consider how long you intend your fast to last. Ensure that you have enough groceries to make fresh batch every day (juice is typically no good after the first day).
Awesome comparison Vanessa! I love both juicing and blending too :)
Thanks :)
Great Vanessa! Your story is inspiring. A lot of people may not realize that living natural and healthy are actually very simple.