Which Do You Prefer
I LOVE smoothies! They are my “go to” breakfast. Fast and efficient. They are jam packed with all sorts of goodness and healthiness! I’m a midwestern gal at heart and hot dishes were a common meal at home, church and potlucks. A smoothie is similar – you can put anything in it that sounds good to you. (within reason, of course)
Let’s compare some of the facts and differences of smoothies vs juices:
Juices and smoothies are two popular fruit and vegetable-based drinks that have many similarities but also a number of subtle differences.
Smoothies are made from finely chopped pieces of fruit and/or vegetables along with other ingredients and have a smooth but bulky consistency.
Juices on the other hand contain only fruit and vegetable juices with the pulp getting removed from the juice during the juicing process. 1) Calories
Juices generally pack more calories per glass than smoothies because the juicing process removes the zero-calorie fiber. If you’re juicing mainly fruits, the calories in your juices can really add up and some fruit juices contain more calories than a can of soda. However, if you juice a good proportion of vegetables, you can reduce the total calories in your juice considerably.
As mentioned above, smoothies are generally the lower calorie option as they contain zero calorie fiber along with generous helpings of ice. However, this isn’t always the case because some smoothies contain higher calorie ingredients such as yogurt, nuts and seeds.
2) Cost
Juicers are generally more expensive than blenders to buy. In addition to this, since juicing removes the pulp, you need more fruits and vegetables to make a glass of juice than you do to make a glass of smoothie, so the cost of ingredients is higher when juicing too.
3) Hydration
Since juice contains no bulk or pulp, it’s a much more hydrating option. While smoothies still contain plenty of water and do a great job of quenching your thirst, juices give you optimal hydration.4) Nutrition
Both juices and smoothies have their own merits when it comes to nutrition.
Since juices contain no fiber, they allow your body to absorb the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients from the fruits and vegetables much more efficiently. In addition to this, since vegetable juices are much more palatable than vegetable smoothies, you can enjoy a wider range of vegetable nutrients by juicing. However, the lack of fiber in juices means that you do miss out on its nutritional benefits which include better blood glucose control, improved bowel health, a reduced risk of chronic disease and much more.
Smoothies contain fiber, so you get to enjoy all these benefits. You can also add foods that contain healthy fats and protein to your smoothies and boost their nutritional value. However, smoothies do contain a lower concentration of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients than juices and your body absorbs them less efficiently in this form.
5) Taste
Juices generally have a more concentrated taste than smoothies. They’re also much lighter and less filling. Smoothies have a less distinct flavor than juices but have a much bulkier texture which can be quite filling.
6) Time
Blending is a simpler process than juicing, so it takes less time to prepare a smoothie than it does a juice. Blenders are also quicker to clean than juicers. However, juices are easier and faster to drink than smoothies due to their lighter, less bulky nature.
Both drinks have a positive effect on your health and both can be enjoyed on a regular basis. However, they also have their own individual merits, so you may personally prefer one type over the other. Personally, I prefer a smoothie because I add protein powder and it becomes a meal for me. Especially when I’m busy and on the go; it is much better than fast food for my body.
Contact me if you have questions or to get started right away. peggy@healthcoachmt.com
Blessings,
Coach Peggy
I help women in their 40's - 60's who are overwhelmed by what to eat, feel exhausted, lost in yo-yo dieting and desperately want a health blueprint for their body in the midst of information overload. I created a 3 step approach to help women discover their divine blueprint so they have more energy for life, have better sleep and less belly bloat when they eat. Are you ready? 