Juicing has gained serious traction in the last decade for its unquestionable health benefits. If you’re new to juicing, one of the first things you’re going to ask yourself is, “what should I juice?”Well, you’ll be happy to know that you can juice just about any fruit or vegetable, but there are a few specific ones that are better than others. In this post, we’re going to review the best fruits and vegetables to juice based on their ease of juicing, nutritional benefits, and price. Let’s get started!
Best Vegetables to Juice
To start off this list, let’s talk about the overall best vegetables to juice.
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Kale
Kale is the pinnacle of juice ingredients. It’s a superfood in and of itself, and when juiced, you’re able to extract all of its valuable nutrients. In addition to being insanely high in vitamin K (be careful if you’re on certain medications), kale is also rich in vitamins A and C. It has been found to decrease blood pressure and the risk of diabetes when added consistently to your diet. Kale is fairly cheap as well, a head of kale can be had for around $3, and will yield multiple cups of juice, and even more so if you combine kale with other foods.
Carrots
Another great staple of the juicer’s arsenal is carrots. It’s widely known that carrots are great for your eyes, and that’s because of the carotenoids they contain. Carrots are also a great source of vitamin A, potassium, and biotin. Due to their slightly sweet flavor, carrots make a great juice ingredient because they can actually make the juice taste good, and not just like lawn clippings. Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables, and because of this, they’re generally dirt cheap. You can get carrots for less than a dollar, or in bulk for slightly more to use in multiple juice recipes.
Beets
One of the lesser-known juicing ingredients that have terrific benefits is beets. Beets are known mostly for their intense color, but they’re also rich in folate, potassium, and manganese. Adding beets to your diet consistently has been proven to lower blood pressure and lessen a person’s overall risk of heart disease. When juiced, beets go well with just about any leafy green or fruit. (Don’t be afraid of the weird colors you might get!)
Spinach
Spinach is a prevalent leafy green that brings with it tons of nutrients and a mild flavor when juiced. Not only is spinach reasonably inexpensive, but it’s also available all year round, making it a great staple if you’re planning on getting into juicing long-term. Spinach is rich in vitamins A and C and is also an excellent source of a variety of antioxidants and nitrates, which are great for heart health.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is commonly considered the most popular vegetable for juicing, and for a good reason! Wheatgrass is incredibly nutrient-dense, providing ample amounts of iron, phosphorus, and magnesium, along with dozens of other nutrients and amino acids. Wheatgrass isn’t the cheapest vegetable out there. The raw grass needed for a shot of it can range anywhere from $3 to $8, depending on the time of year and where you’re located. However, wheatgrass gets a spot on this list because it can be added to just about any juice to give it a serious nutritional boost.
Best Fruits To Juice
Now that we have vegetables covered let’s talk about the best fruits to juice.
Apples
The obvious choice, yes.
Apple juice is by far the most popular type of fruit juice sold in stores, and it’s a great option for a tasty, sweet juice to make at home as well. Apples are packed with antioxidants, which help to cleanse your digestive system, boost your immune system, and lower your cholesterol. Apples are one of the tastiest fruits that produce good juice and can be added to just about any juice mixture to give it a sweet flavor boost.
Papaya
Papayas may not be the first fruit you think to juice, but you may want to consider adding them to your list. Papayas are excellent when it comes to digestion. They contain papain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins in your gut. If you have digestive issues, it might be a good idea to add a daily dose of papaya juice to your diet to help.
Berries
Berries of all sorts are packed with antioxidants and are great for your overall health. Berries are good for your blood, and some have antibacterial and antiviral properties. It doesn’t really matter what type of berry you want to juice, all of them have a host of great benefits. Blueberries can help with urinary tract infections and digestion issues, raspberries have been reported to help menstrual cramps, and strawberries help with your cardiovascular system. Berries are seasonal, so grab whatever berries are on sale and add them to your juice for a sweet, nutritional addition.
Citrus Juice
When it comes to entry-level juicing, citrus fruits are at the top of the list. You don’t even need a fancy juicer to juice them. There are specific citrus juicers that are no more than a hefty plastic devices that you jam into your citrus and use to force juice into a container. With that being said, citrus is also very seasonal and can be expensive when they are out of season. Some people also may not be fond of citric acid, as it can cause acid reflux easily.
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Closing Thoughts
Juicing is a great way to add nutrients to your diet without changing your eating habits. Whether you’re new to juicing or looking for new ideas for what to juice, using any of these fruits and vegetables will give you a tasty, nutritious drink yoSave and Exitu’ll want to share with your friends.