If you’re versed in anything wellness related, chances are between spin classes in St Kilda or yoga in Chadstone you’ll be aware of the mega-trend of green juice.

It’s touted as

• Alkalising
• Detoxifying 
• Energizing
• Improved digestion

But does it really live up to the hype? Read below for the expert’s takes on having your greens in liquid form.

 

The great benefits green juice can offer 

First, despite what the marketing may say, you don’t need juice to help you detox or cleanse your system. 

However, what green juice can do is supplement your diet and give you an injection of nutrients and vitamins, especially when you may not have time to munch through an entire salad. 

In terms of weight loss, the professionals at Dietitians Association of Australia tell us that only consuming juice, in a cleanse form, or intermittent fasting is not any more superior than your standard balanced, reduced calorie diet.

 

Be mindful of your juice choices

A concern with juice can be sugar content. If pre-purchasing, most commercial juices have fruits added into the mix, and a small content of actual green vegetables, which might just be a whole lot of lettuce with a touch of spinach.

So be savvy if you’re purchasing green juices and look out for those that are made daily. They will typically be unpasteurised or perhaps labelled as ‘raw.’

However, once you take out sweet additions like apples, a purely green juice is an acquired taste. Over time though, it’s definitely addictive! Ultimately, make green juices yourself so you can monitor what actually goes in and in what quantity.

 

SUBSTITUTING FOOD MEALS FOR GREEN JUICE

Green juice does not replace a meal especially as it doesn’t really fill you up. But, it can be a great way to boost your nutrition and support your metabolism as a snack between meals. 

However, be aware that by juicing, the valuable fibre that you get from eating your greens, is drastically reduced. Therefore, you’ll need fibre from other sources to make up for this.

In other words, a green juice can’t really ‘replace’ a salad or steamed veg, but can complement other substantial vegetable intake in your diet.

 

GREEN JUICE CAN BE COSTLY 

Making green juice can also be costly. This is because the amount of kale you’ll need to get a good amount of liquid is far more than your average serving if you actually ate it in a salad or stir-fry. 

Add the extra cost of organic produce and you are looking at quite a costly habit. Having said that, for the caffeine addicted, a hit of fresh green juice will perk you up just as much without the crash after the coffee had worn off.

For this reason, a fresh green juice can be a good option for those looking to wean themselves off a caffeine habit and is cost comparable for a multi-coffee-a-day consumer.

 

SO IS GREEN JUICE WORTH THE HYPE?

Unless you have the time to freshly prepare your greens each morning, save yourself the cost and extra calories that come along with consuming pre-made juice. 

However, there is always a place for good quality greens in anyone’s diet, and if fresh, green juice is a way to start getting more of them into your system, it’s definitely a good habit for kids and adults alike to get into.