Ease into Raw Foods with Juicing

One of the easiest ways to start increasing your raw food intake is through juicing vegetables and grasses. It is preferable to eat whole fruits because juicing them creates a high sugar concentration which adds to the body’s insulin levels. Plus when you juice fruits, you lose the fiber. So in those respects, with the notable exceptions of carrot and beet juices, vegetable juicing is more healthful than juicing in that respect. The juice from carrots and beets can also raise insulin levels so should be used moderately.

What makes juicing vegetables to healthful is that it is the fastest way to nourish your body because it is able to absorb the juice in under twenty-five minutes. Juicing vegetables provides a host of nutrition including enzymes, minerals, vitamins, chlorophyll and cancer fighting anti-oxidants. It also keeps your body at its proper, alkaline pH level.

It is no secret that the American diet is responsible for many of our national health problems – many of which could be significantly reduced or even eliminated by embracing raw foods. While abruptly adopting a 100 percent raw diet may be unrealistic for most people, every little bit helps. So start out by taking baby steps.  A gradual transition lets your body adapt and also lets you integrate raw foods at your personal pace.

Start by having a glass or two of juiced raw vegetables a day. Juicing breaks down the cells walls of whole foods which is why our bodies can absorb nutrients from juice so quickly with very little expenditure of energy. Instead of feeling sluggish the way you will after a big lunch or eating processed foods, you will feel invigorated after a snack or lunch of juiced vegetables.  Also the juice is concentrated so you can consume several servings of vegetables and greens with just one glass of juice.

Just remember: it is highly recommended to only consume freshly made vegetable juices in order to get the maximum nutritional benefits. If you must store it, refrigerate it in an air tight, preferably opaque, container because the oxidation caused by air and light is what causes food to go bad.

Tip: Rotate the vegetables you juice to reduce the possibility of developing allergies through over-consumption of a particular type of veggie.