Are Juices as Healthy as We Think?
With a juicery on every corner and a well-stocked beverage section at every health food store, it’s super easy to just grab a nutrient-packed refreshment after a yoga class or if you skipped lunch. While a fruit-and-veggie-loaded drink sounds righteous in theory, are juices really healthy? Well, yes and no.
“Juices can be part of a healthy diet, but they are not a replacement for whole fruits and veggies, especially because you’re not getting the fiber,” explains Dana Angela White, RD, registered dietician and author of Healthy, Quick and Easy Juicing. “That being said, you’re still getting the nutrients and the hydration—preferably by making your own juices or buying those with the simplest ingredients.”
So what are the healthiest juices? We asked nutritionists how to determine if your beverage has the right benefits.
1. Look at the label. Just because that drink says “healthy” on the label, doesn’t mean it’s actually good for you. Plus, many store-bought drinks contain ingredients that negate all that goodness you’re hoping for. “Most juices you buy in the market need to be shelf stable, which means they often include added ingredients that are not exactly all-natural,” says White. “As a general rule, if you can’t pronounce it, investigate what it is.”
Excerpted from Real Simple
