Juicing vs. Smoothies: Is There a Difference?

I'm sure you've heard a lot about juicing and green smoothies, especially with the celery juice trend happening right now. Have you ever wondered if there are any notable differences between juicing and blending, and what those differences could be?

With juicing and smoothies, the similarities are simple...they’re both healthy ways to get in more fresh nutrients from fruits and vegetables. The key differences are how they're prepared.

Juicing separates the indigestible fibers from the juice itself. This helps your digestive system avoid strain so it can focus on absorbing the benefits of the nutrients left in the juice. These nutrients absorb very rapidly into your body, faster than you’d get from eating the same fruits or veggies you put into your juice. If you have problems with fiber irritating your digestive system, then juicing is a great way to get what you need.

With smoothies, you use your blender to pulverize your produce whole. You use the entire fruit or vegetable and all its fiber. The blender helps break down the fiber for easier digestion and makes smoothies a good choice since they don’t cause a spike in blood sugar. They’re fast to make and ideal for replacing a meal because they’re quite filling.
To get the full benefits from your juice or smoothies, there’s something very important to know...

Drink them immediately

When you blend or juice, you get the most nutrients from drinking it as soon as you make it. It's ideal to consume within 15 minutes, before those essential nutrients you’re trying to provide your body with begin breaking down from contact with the air and light.

Pack your produce into a sealed mason jar the night before so you can simply dump and make your fresh juice or smoothie first thing in the morning without any preparation. This will be the fastest way to get the freshest, most nutrient-dense juice or smoothie on your way out the door.

Get the right equipment

The differences indeed are a bit subtle, and both require the right equipment to make it happen. If you prefer juicing, find yourself a quality juicer.
 
Most people have a blender in their home, but if yours is a bit subpar, replace it with a top-of-the-line model, and you’ll be amazed how much better your smoothies are. I use a Vitamix, and in my opinion, it's the best. However, I also occasionally use the Nutribullet; it's not as powerful as the Vitamix, but it's does a good job at blending and it's just a fraction of the cost.

So, what's the verdict? Do you prefer juicing or smoothies?