Everyone has their own morning routine. For most of us, it includes starting the day with a good, healthy breakfast. Whether you prefer eggs and toast, or bacon and pancakes, your first meal of the day is important because it’ll give you the energy you need to function. When you eat breakfast, you’re also enhancing your brainpower, improving your concentration, and supplying your body with the essential vitamins and nutrients.
However, most mornings can be a total rush. There are days when you just can’t find the time to cook a hearty meal, so instead you just prepare something that you can grab and go–which is absolutely okay too. While some prefer to blend a smoothie or eat a piece of fruit, there are those who try to mix it up a bit and make their own green juice.
If you’re trying to lose weight and have always been curious about this drink, we got you covered. We asked Sporting Smiles contributor and registered dietitian and nutritionist Katie Tomaschko, MS, RDN to explain what green juice really does to your body and what ingredients should be in your drink for it to actually be healthy. Keep reading to know more.
What You Need To Know About Drinking Green Juice
According to Tomaschko, “Green juice is a great way to get in your vitamins and minerals via fruits and vegetables. They taste yummy, too!” But if you’re trying to lose weight, she advises that “it’s important to be cautious of how much sugar is in your [drink].” Sugar content as well as the lack of fiber due to the juicing process (which entails pulp removal) are just some cons to be mindful of when drinking green juice.
As you may already know, too much sugar is bad for your body. Tomaschko warns, “An unstable blood sugar can lead to changes in appetite, mood, and energy.” When your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled, there’s a chance you may get diabetes type 2, “which puts you at risk for other metabolic conditions.”
If you’re looking for green juices at the store, Tomaschko recommends those that are mostly vegetables and have little to no fruit. Read on to learn more about the specific ingredients a healthy green juice should have.
Dark, Leafy Green Vegetables
From its name alone, a green juice isn't what it is without the green veggies. "This really varies on preference, but in my personal opinion, every healthy green juice should have one to two dark leafy vegetables, such as spinach or kale. Dark leafy greens are extremely healthy and a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, folate, vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium," Tomaschko says.
Vitamin C
Citrus fruits are also a great addition to your green juice. They're an "excellent antioxidant" and also boosts your immune system. More importantly, Vitamin C helps with collagen production, iron absorption, and skin hydration.
Ginger
Similar to Vitamin C, ginger is also rich in antioxidants. On top of that, it also contains anti-inflammatory properties which helps the body in terms of digestion, metabolism, and weight loss. In fact, if you feel like taking a break from drinking green juice, you can try ginger tea instead. It has several health benefits too!
Water Rich Foods
You may also want to include some cucumbers, tomatoes, or lettuce in your green juice to make it extremely hydrating. Other options include celery, watercress, watermelon, and peaches. These foods that are high in water content will definitely keep you nourished and strong throughout the day.
