Let's be clear about one thing, you can't be juicing, all day, every day. But the juicing diet makes for a great one-day detox that can reset the system by cleansing your body and clearing toxins.
The best time to drink juice - Most studies indicate that it is best to drink juice in the morning and on an empty stomach, at leat half an hour before your meal. This will ensure that the nutrients are absorbed easily. It should not be combined with other foods that may interfere with the cleansing process.
As far as weight loss is concerned, most nutritionists would not recommend an only juice diet. You want your healthy diet to be a combination of all food groups - grains, dairy, meat and others. Although a liquid diet may help you lose weight in the short run, but it can actually damage your metabolism. You end up depriving your body of fiber which affects satiety value, cholesterol and blood glucose levels. When your metabolism is sluggish, you burn fewer calories.
Further, a juicing diet may not be low in calories. Since the fruit is more concentrated, so is the sugar content. Consuming your food in liquid form may leave you less satisfied and you consume more calories than what you would have if your chewed your food.
Getting ready to juice - Tricks of the trade
Tips and tricks that'll help you squeeze out all the deliciousness.
1. Juice those ingredients together that you'd like to eat together. Create a balance between mellow ingredients and more intense ones. For instance in a green juice, use apples, carrots or pears to add sweetness.
2. For vegetable juice, start with a base which can include foods with high water content like cucumber, celery or lettuce. Add leafy greens for more flavour. You can pick earthy ones like spinach or those that are peppery like mustard.
3. Add a little zing with a squeeze of lime or some ginger. Instead of stirring these in the blender, add them into the finished drink for that added punch.
4. Add some fresh herbs like coriander, parsley or mint. These are great for detoxing.
5. Consider colour. Pair your ingredients intelligently to make your drink look nice and vibrant.
6. You'll get the maximum nutritional benefit from your juice if your drink it fresh. Avoid storing it.
7. The pulp has the maximum fiber so don't discard it. It is the fiber that keeps you full for a longer time.
We adore a glass of fresh orange juice, but sometimes you need something more adventurous Whether you decide to go on a juice cleanse or are simply looking to add some freshness to your morning meal, we've got you some creative concoctions.
Recipe by Chef Bakshish Dean, The Mist, The Park - New Delhi
Savoury and spicy are not the flavours you'd look for in your drink, but when you try this combination you're guaranteed to get hooked. A chilled mix of tomatoes, cucumber, cloves and rock salt.
2. Beetroot and Aloe Vera Juice
Recipe by Chef Anurag Sharma, Director, Baidyanath Group
A drink that tastes as good as it makes you feel. Bursting with the colour of beetroots and the goodness of amla and aloe vera, this concoction is a great cleanser.
Recipe by Chef Soumya Goswami, Trident Group of Hotels
This recipe creates a pleasing balance between the freshness of cucumber and the sweet-citrusy notes of kiwi.
Recipe by Chef Aditya Bal
With oranges, apples, watermelon and ginger to add some heat, this one is simple, sweet and refreshing.
5. Aam Ras
Recipe by Chef Kishore D Reddy
Light and tangy, this drink will keep you happy and hydrated on those hot summer days.
