Nutrition question...

[susieq]

I am wondering if using a juicer is a good as eating the whole fruit or veggie.

My kids do not eat enough friuts and veggies, and I'm thinking I could sneak more into the foods we eat if I used juice.

But, is carrot jucie (from a juicer) as nutritious as eating carrots? Also, if I took three pieces of fruit and made a glass of juice, would that count as eating three pieces of fruit?

Thanks!
Susan

 

[Aquajock]

What you're missing with a juice replacement is the very important fiber that is in whole fruits and vegetables, that the lack of that, IMHO, makes juice replacements inferior to whole foods.

A-Jock

 

[kathryn]

I agree with Aquajock. Taking the fiber out of foods makes them digest more quickly, which can cause more of a spike in blood sugar as well.

There are machines available (like the Vitamix) that blend whole carrots, etc., into liquids, so you get the benefits of juice without removing the fiber. Unfortunately, while you can use a regular blender to make juices out of many whole fruits, it doesn't work for veggies, especially carrots.

A glass of juice a day wouldn't be a major problem, but it's a good idea to have it with actual food, to help slow down the digestive process.

 

[FiddleFit]

Juice is not as nutritionally great as eating the entire fruit, but it still has value, particularly if it's a question of having juice, or not having any fruits/vegetables whatsoever. If you can't get the kids to eat very many whole veggies and fruits, then giving them juice is a good idea, and excellent if those cups of juice are replacing pop or Freshie drinks.

SunRype sells a line of "Fruit & Veggie" juices that are 100% juice from a combination of both fruit and vegetables. 1 cup gives a serving of fruit and vegetables, and even has 2 grams of fiber, I think. You can't taste the vegetables in the juice; it tastes like pure fruit juice. It's quite yummy. I recommend it.

Sandra

 

[dss62467]

It's definitely not as nutritious, but for kids who aren't eating any veggies and fruit, it's a decent alternative. I think, anyway. But I'm no nutritionist. Think I got a "C" in that class in college.

 

[saia11]

Susan,
I've had a lot of success "hiding" the fruits and vegetables. Blend zucchini/carrots/cauliflower into pasta/pizza sauces. It's hard to find cauliflower in rice, or veggie burgers, or meatloaf type dishes. Squeeze it in wherever you can.
Or get the food into a different form and make sure it's readily available for snacking. Freeze the fruit, make it cut up and bite sice with single servings of healthy dips on the side.
Make the food into an entirely different shape and if your kids are young, give the food a different name.
Also, if they choose the food they're more likely to eat it.
Try offering more vegetable based dishes for dinners and then you'll be sure they get 2 servings of veggies at dinner and make sure they have fruit with their breakfast and packed/served with their lunch.
Good luck!
Mattea