Green Juice versus Green Smoothies (September 14, 2011)

Dear Ana,

I have read that green smoothies are very beneficial in a raw food lifestyle. Is it okay to substitute a green smoothie for a green juice in the morning?

Thank you,

Sherry

Hi Sherry,

Thank you for your question. There is a lot of confusion about green smoothies versus green juice.

A green juice is a raw vegetable juice that contains at least one leafy green, like romaine, kale, chard, or spinach. It can also have green apple, lemon, and ginger for flavor, as well as any other raw vegetables that you enjoy. The juice has been separated from the fiber of the vegetables through either a centrifugal extraction process using a juicer such as the Breville, or with a cold press such as the Norwalk. A centrifugal juice should be consumed as close as possible to the time it is made, while a cold pressed juice remains enzymatically intact for up to three days.

• A juice is filled with the most easily accessible and assimilable chlorophyll, high-vibration raw life force, alkalinity, vitamins, minerals, and protein.

• Juice does not have the cellulose or fiber of a blended smoothie, and therefore enters the blood faster and easier.

• Juice does not require significant digestion, so we are able to use it to sustain us through a mini-fast when we may otherwise have wanted breakfast or lunch.

A green smoothie is processed in a high-speed blender such as the BlendTec, not a juicer. The plant fiber is still present, although the blending process helps with the breakdown of cellulose walls and makes digestion easier. For a yeast-conscious diet, such as the one outlined in Detox4Women, green smoothies should be a combination of leafy greens such as spinach, kale, chard, or sprouts with low-sugar fruit such as berried, green apple, or grapefruit. Avocado is a wonderful thicker, and stevia, cocoa powder, or other spices can be added for flavor. This is also often referred to as a blended salad.

• Green smoothies can be a great lunch option for someone who is looking for a light meal.

• Green smoothies are wonderful for cancer patients, or other detoxers with compromised immune or digestive systems as they are partially pre-digested through the blending process.

A blended drink should not take the place of a morning juice, but can be enjoyed as a mid-morning snack or lunch. They are a great way to keep a meal light, and to enjoy a sweet meal rather than a savory salad if that is what you prefer. They are also a wonderful aid to those transitioners who are dealing with serious illness.

I hope this helps! Keep juicing every morning, and try my favorite blended green smoothie recipe for lunch on a hot day:

• 1 5oz boz organic baby spinach

• 1 cup frozen blueberries

• 2 tbsns cocoa powder

• 1/2 avocado

• 1 cup pure water

• stevia and nutmeg to taste

Blend these ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth, and enjoy.

Love,

Ana