Juicing isn’t rocket science and you shouldn’t be intimidated by the process. But there are a few cautions to keep in mind.
• Juicing shouldn’t replace eating for long periods of time. Sticking to juice for a few days to detox your body is fine, but juicing removes most of the fiber in your produce, and eventually your body is going to crave that. You can also mix back in some of the pulp to add fiber to your juice.
• Not all juices are low calorie. If you’re trying to lose weight, avoid or limit produce with the highest sugar content. These include tangerines, cherries, grapes, pomegranates, mangos, figs, and bananas for the fruits. High-sugar veggies include beets, carrots, corn, parsnips, peas, plantains, and sweet potatoes.
• It’s best to drink your juice right away. It loses nutrients as it sits, but it will also go bad after a while, even if covered and refrigerated.
• If you have health issues or are on any medications, it’s a good idea to discuss juicing with your doctor. Kale, for example, contains a high concentration of Vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting and can counteract blood thinners. Raw kale can also suppress thyroid function in certain people.