Dr. Michael Hall has expert advice on getting the most out of juicing for optimum health benefit.
To get the most out of grab-and-go juices, know what the labels mean.
- "Contains 100% juice" means it is made from fruit and vegetable juices. It does not guarantee that your carrot juice is 100% carrot juice. It may contain other juices for filler and flavor.
- "HPP" means high pressure processing. The juice has been pasteurized without heat to give it a longer shelf life, deactivating certain microorganisms and enzymes.
- "Raw" is cold pressed. It is not pasteurized. It lasts two to three days if not treated by HPP. HPP gives it a shelf life of about 45 days. Check the label.
- "Unpasteurized" means it is made from fresh ingredients and has a shelf life of two to three days. It's a little more expensive because it requires fresh ingredients and has a short shelf life.
- "Pasteurized" means the juice has been heated to prevent spoiling and to kill harmful pathogens.
- "Cold-pressed" juice is made by pushing the produce through a press. Since it isn't heated, it keeps the enzymes of the raw fruits and vegetables intact. This is what you'll find in juice bars.
- "From concentrate" means water must be added to get the correct consistency.
- "Not from concentrate" means no water was removed.
- Don't expect to go to a diet of liquids only. Juicing is most successful when you incorporate it into your diet instead of using it as a meal replacement.
- Subtract some other foods when you add juices. The idea is not to add calories to your diet. If you add a juice to a meal, remove something from your plate for that meal.
- Be smart with your produce selections. You're not making a milkshake or smoothie. Dr. Hall suggests using 80% vegetables, 20% fruits. The fruit is used to cut the bitterness of the vegetables, not to make it into a dessert.
- Drink your juice as soon as possible. Don't make too much. When it's exposed to oxygen, it starts to break down and the health benefits decrease.