Juice it up

Unless you have been living under a rock you must have heard of juice cleanses, juice detox and even juice fasting. The latest craze in the world of wellness, these have people swearing by their efficacy.  Are these merely hype or do they really cleanse and nourish and purify your body?

To be honest, the thought of existing only on fruit and vegetable juices for x number of days has never occurred to me. I have not even picked up a juice cleanse diet book and followed it. I don’t think something as drastic as this should be done at home. If I were to ever try it, I would do so under the guidance of a qualified nutritionist or at a good health spa, where there I would be under a proper monitored medical program customised for my specific needs.

Juices can be extremely low in sodium while some fruit juices are high in sugar. Most of the time my blood pressure is on the lower side, so I really don’t want to take a chance with my sodium intake. I am not too fond of fruit juices though I know they are full of antioxidants and vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, they are also incredibly high in sugar content and have high glycemic index. I find them highly acidic, they effect my blood sugar levels and bloat me up. At home, we have a tendency of getting carried away and blending too many fruits; as a result, we end up drinking high calorie, sugary fruit juices, so I try to avoid getting into a juice mode as much as possible. The only thing that comes close to fruit juice in my diet, is by way of my protein shake – I do include whole fruits in this and it does not increase my insulin.

While fruit juices are a strict no no, I do love cold pressed green juices after my workouts. Green juices have alkaline properties. Alkaline juices detox the digestive system, liver and kidneys and are a good source of antioxidants, potassium, Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, chlorophyll, manganese and fibre. They are low in calories, do not fluctuate blood sugar levels, help in weight loss, and are gentle on the stomach. After a strenuous workout, the body craves nutrients and electrolytes to help in the recovery process and these juices have it all. I also feel lighter and more energetic after having my green juice post my intense kick boxing sessions.

If you’re on the run and running short of time, then try a good blend from a trusted brand. Cold pressed juices from well-known Indian brands like Shuddha (Hydrate), Raw Pressery (Lean), Antidote Cold Pressed Organic Juice (The Starter), are all high in health and taste delicious. However, there are many recipes you can try and experiment with at home. Here’s one such that you can easily make at home. One word of caution, though, do make sure you get your greens from a trusted vendor, preferably organic.

Recipe

1 cup of chopped spinach

Fresh coconut water

1 cucumber

A few basil leaves

1 carrot

Small sliced ginger

Celery

1/2 lime

Add all ingredients to a juicer, blend well and drink after an intense work out to feel fresh, light, and fit.

Try some green juices and let me know how you like them. Write to me below or using #stayrealstayyou on Instagram @shagunkhanna