Juicing versus Blending – Which is Healthier?

Stu: We often get asked what the difference is between juicing versus blending, and which one is healthier. There are a couple of key factors to consider. The main one is that juicing removes the majority of the fibre from the fruit or vegetable. Removing the fibre takes away the satiety of the drink, that feeling of fullness. Juices (vegetable) are more a nutrition tonic and blending smoothies are a good snack and can also make an easy meal replacement as they still have the fibre and you can add good fats and protein into the mix.

The other major variable to consider are the ingredients. If you are using mainly fruit, you will be consuming large volumes of fructose. Yes, this may be natural but we feel it may not be the best strategy for optimal health (you can read our thought on fructose here.) Let’s look at the pros and cons of juicing vs blending…

Juicing

• The fibre is removed which takes away the satiety of the drink
• Because you remove the fibre you remove some of the antioxidants
• Not recommended as a meal replacement due to the lack of fibre, protein or healthy fats
• You are consuming more calories without the satiety
• You have to buy a expensive juicer and cleaning can be time consuming
• A green vegetable juice is a good way to boost nutrient levels
• We always use the rule of thumb of 80% vegetable and 20% fruit in our juices

Blending

• Includes fibre so you feel fuller for longer
• Keeps you regular and can support your digestive system
• You can include protein and good fats from whole food sources; coconut oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, chia seeds, 180 Superfood Protein
• You can use smoothies as a meal replacement and snack
• Increase nutrient levels by including the fibre
• Don’t need an expensive juicers. You can use a blender which most of us have in the kitchen which can also be used for lots of things
• Include good fats and leafy greens – leafy greens contain essential vitamins A, E, K and D and are better absorbed in the presence of fat

Conclusion

We’re big fans of blending smoothies as we don’t like food waste and by including the fibre you are increasing your nutrient intake and supporting your digestive system. We do like green juices from time to time as they offer an easy absorbable green vegetable hit. Using a quality greens powder is an option too if you don’t want the hassle. We try to avoid simple fruit juices are they are typically very high in sugar so we vote smoothies the winner. Here are some of our favourite smoothie recipes.

Learn more about our Superfood Protein Blend Here