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"Let Food Be Thy Medicine"
Hippocrates
 
June 2015 
In This Issue
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Jean Varney
Jeannie Varney
 Nutrition Consultant
 HC, AADP
703.505.0505

 

  
 

It's no wonder juicing is all the rage. Juices for the most part taste good and are convenient. They're typically made with healthy ingredients and readily available from numerous juice bars, restaurants and grocery stores, making them the perfect grab-and-go snack or meal. But are they healthy and diet friendly? According to manufacturers' claims, yes. They contain no added sugar, several servings of fruits and vegetables, and deliver a large dose of highly absorbable nutrients to our body. No need to eat a salad again, right? Not so fast. Many nutritional experts, myself included, warn against "over-juicing" or even drinking juice at all because of the excessive sugar and calories it involves. For most of us, these tasty concoctions can wreak havoc on our energy, mood and waistline. And while small amounts of juice can be a part of a healthy diet, below I've explained why I'm not a fan.

 

I won't be publishing a newsletter in July and August. You'll hear from me again in September.  I will however, continue to post articles I recommend to my website, EatRightBeFitLiveWell.com, my twitter account, @jeanvarney, and my Facebook page.  View them frequently to stay abreast of the latest health news.  

 

Happy Summer!


 

  Jeannie

 

 

What's Wrong With Juicing?
  • It separates the water and natural sugar of the fruit and vegetable from the fibrous skin and pulp producing a liquid that is mostly sugar.  For example, a 15.2oz bottle of "No sugar Added" Green Machine Naked Juice contains roughly 280 calories, no fiber and the equivalent of 13 teaspoons of sugar, albeit natural sugar but nevertheless sugar.  A metabolic nightmare!  Consuming sugar causes a spike in blood sugar and insulin followed by an equally quick corresponding drop in glucose.  As we age, we become more insulin resistant making it ever so important to limit foods that when digested produce large amounts of insulin.  Excess insulin encourages fat storage and inhibits our bodies from burning its own fat for energy..  Hardly a winning combination for maintaining or losing weight!  Fluctuating blood sugar levels also cause bouts of fatigue throughout the day.  Fiber, on the other hand, slows the absorption of sugar into our bloodstream, stabilizes our blood sugar and aids in weight loss.  It also fills us up and keeps our digestive tract working efficiently.  Unfortunately the beneficial fiber of produce is lost in the juicing process.  
  • It changes the form of the food resulting in a loss of nutrients.  Despite manufacturers' and juice enthusiasts' claims, some of the antioxidants found in fruits and veggies are lost not "unleashed" when liquefied.  Furthermore, the pulp, membrane and skin of produce contain the highest concentration of nutrients - all of which is discarded when juiced.  In a 2012 study, food scientists at Texas A&M found significantly lower levels of phytonutrients in juices than in the blended versions of the produce. 
  • It encourages overindulgence and can inhibit weight loss.   Large quantities of fruit and vegetables all of which contain calories are required to make a mere 8oz of juice.  These calories add up quickly and can prevent and even result in weight gain.  Think of how many oranges are needed to make a glass of fresh squeezed juice.  Far more than most of us would ever consider eating with our breakfast.  The fact that we don't have to chew fruits or vegetables that are in juice form is another potential pitfall.  Chewing helps control portion size and releases enzymes and acids that improve digestion.  It also increases our sense of satisfaction from a meal, keeping us from going back to the kitchen for more.  
     

The bottom line:  Eat your fruits and vegetables - don't drink them.  The whole food is more nutritious, more satisfying and kinder to your waistline than the juice alone.  It also has less of an impact on your blood sugar resulting in more consistent energy throughout the day.  If you love your liquid nutrition and aren't ready to give it up try blending your produce as it retains some of the fiber and more of the nutrients than juicing.  Follow the tips below:  

  • Enjoy no more than 8oz a day, preferably 4oz
  • Avoid the prepackaged juices that contain no fiber and have more than 10 grams of sugar per 8oz. 
  • Make your own 
  • Use mostly veggies and just a piece of fruit particularly dark leafy greens and other watery vegetables and
  • Add some fiber to your finished concoction - chia seeds work great
  • Clean your machine well.  The rubber seals of juicers, if not washed appropriately, can harbor high levels of molds and bacteria.


 

This article is for informational purposes only, is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and is not a substitute for medical advice. 

Food Focus:  Strawberries

American's most popular berry is rich with antioxidants and packs a huge health punch.  It's long been documented that increased berry consumption is linked to improved cognitive and memory function but now the latest research suggests this heart-shaped, summer favorite is beneficial for the heart too.  Strawberries contain anthocyanins, plant compounds associated with lower blood pressure, improved blood vessel function and reduced levels of C-Reactive Protein, a marker of inflammation in the body.  Researchers believe, in part, that these phytochemicals are one of the reasons why women who eat 3 or more servings of strawberries a week have a 34% less chance of suffering an early heart attack than females who eat other fruits and vegetables but not berries.  Just a cup of these affordable treats contain a mere 46 calories, 3 grams of fiber, 140% of your daily value (DV) of vitamin C and 25% DV of manganese, an essential nutrient that helps the body process cholesterol, protein and carbohydrates.  Unfortunately, the Environmental Working Group ranks strawberries 5th among produce most likely to contain pesticide residue, so if you're concerned about ingesting pesticides, buy an organic variety. 

 

Recipes of the Month

Strawberry, Melon, and Avocado Salad

 

Strawberry-Avocado Salsa

 

Chocolate Almond Strawberries & Quinoa

 

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

 

Strawberry Pizza with Basil and Goat Cheese

 

  

About Jean Varney 
 
Jean Varney is the founder and president of Eat Right, Be Fit, Live Well LLC, a health and nutrition consulting firm committed to empowering men and women to improve their health through sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle.  Based in the Washington DC metropolitan area, Jean coaches clients nationwide by phone and in person.  She focuses on helping individuals make smart choices about the foods they eat in order to maintain high energy levels, avoid unwanted weight gain and decrease their risk of heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes and other chronic illnesses.  Jean received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, and is a monthly contributor to Prime Women - a national online publication.   To learn more about her practice, please visit her website at: www.EatRightBeFitLiveWell.com.