Juicing

[Guest guest]

Very true about diabetics as long as they're not experiencing an insulin reaction, in which case an immediate blast of sugar can mean the difference between consciousness and coma; this is why many Type 1's carry glucose tablets or other sweets (my former husband has been a diabetic since age 7--I got quite familiar with the disease as a result). I would point out, though, that from what I've read and Vitamix's own videos, most people feel the urge to add honey or other sweeteners to total juice to make it palatable, so even though you're getting the fiber and it's there to help counteract sugar shock, you're also adding more sugar (unless you're using something like stevia)--probably more than is contained in a glass of real juice.

Re: Re: Juicing

The best thing about Vitamix "Juice" (which isn't a real juice, but that's what we call it) is that fiber slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream. This is why Vitamix "Juice" helps people feel full longer (from the bulk of the fiber and from a more sustained release - rather than a dump - of sugar into the bloodstream) and why it offers more sustained energy (dump of sugar vs. slow release).

If a diabetic drinks real juice, their blood sugar levels go way up. If they eat the whole fruit their blood sugar goes up, but not as much. But if a diabetic takes the same fruit and blends it in the Vitamix, the blood sugar rises even less than when eating the whole fruit by mouth. The blending of the fiber helps to mix it thoroughly with the juice (even better than chewing does) and slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Considering the fact that sugars are nutrients and we know that fiber slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream, it makes sense that fiber slows the release (but doesn't prevent the release) of other nutrients.

Nutrients trapped in "unpopped" cell walls do not get absorbed. Our bodies do not produce cellulase which is the enzyme that digests cellulose so some of the cells that haven't been "popped" (either by chewing or via the Vitamix or by a juicer) pass through our bodies like tiny little balloons taking the precious nutrients out with them :-(

Vitamixing pops those cell walls (releasing the nutrients) and leaves lots of broken open cell walls floating around in the released juice - slowing but not preventing the absorption of the nutrients that came from the inside of the cells Vitamixing breaks open 98% of the cell walls!

Chewing only pops 25% of the cell walls leaving 75% of them as full, unpopped cellulose covered balloons many of which will leave our body taking the nutrients out with them. This I think is what juicing advocates don't understand about Vitamixing. They are comparing chewing to juicing. Let's say juicing pops 98% of the cell walls and Vitamixing pops 98% and chewing pops 25%. You get the same or better nutritional value out of the Vitamix Juice (the nutrients aren't blocked from being absorbed because the cells have been popped) the nutrients are just absorbed more slowly because of the inhibiting presence of the fiber. Chewing on the other hand leaves a LOT of unpopped cells and therefore there is some loss of nutrients due to the unpopped cell walls (aka fiber). SO, only fiber that is in the form of unpopped cell walls (which happens with chewing) prevents absorption of nutrients. Fiber in the form of broken open cell walls slows, but does not prevent the absorption of nutrients and even contributes nutrients (see next paragraph)

Most fruit and vegetable fiber is soluble fiber. SOME soluble fiber IS fermented in the colon by the bacteria that lives there and the short chain fatty acids produced by this digestion process helps with glucose and cholesterol control. Therefore you get this extra nutritional value from the Vitamix because of the nutrients (short chain fatty acids) that are created when the fiber is digested (fermented) in the colon.

Juicing GREENS avoids the "sugar dump" issue and is a way to increase the amount of nutrients you get from the greens over what you could consume if the fiber was still there, but most people end up sweetening the greens with carrots or apples or beets and then you are right back into the sugar dump situation.

For most healthy people, if fruit juice sugars were the only sugars consumed, this would probably not be much of an issue, but there are SO MANY people who are either diabetic or pre-diabetic or fighting cancer (unawares) or who are trying to lose weight and for them, sugar dumps are not the ideal thing. But I can assure you that a huge glass of sugar dumping carrot juice is 10,000 times better than a doughnut or a Sniker's bar!

There is no way to get the taste/texture of REAL juice in a Vitamix puree. Vitamix juice is more like a smoothie. You can get REAL juice from a Vitamix if you want to take the additional step of straining the puree through a nut milk bag to remove the fiber. I call what I make a "juice" but it isn't a juice in the purest sense of the word. We call it "whole food juice" but the people call it a smoothie :-)

And last but not least, just in case you need a reminder of the importance of fiber in our diets, here is a good discussion of the health benefits of a high fiber diet: http://www.busywomensfitness.com/high-fiber-diet.html I was especially impressed with the statistic that dietary fiber intake for adults should be in the range of 20-35 grams (g) per day. The average American consumes only 14 g of fiber per day!

Blessings,

Lea Ann Savage

Satellite Beach, FL

(321) 773-7088 (home)

(321-961-9219 (cell)

www.VitamixLady.com

www..com

<))><

Re: Re: Juicing

Consider the insulin response needed to balance the sugar of 3 lbs of carrots. -----------

Buddy A. Touchinsky, D.C.

www.drtouchinsky.com

On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 7:47 PM, <cking001@...> wrote:

The difference is quantity.

It takes 3 pounds (as I recall) of carrots to get a glass of juice.

But you get all the nutrients.

You'd be overstuffed if you ate 3 pounds of vitamixed carrots.

So, for nutrient density, juicing would win.

Depends on what you need.

Imagine the amount of veggies it takes to make a jug of V-8...

Chuck

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I wear my liver on my pant leg. --

On 11/23/2010 7:21:23 PM, Buddy A. Touchinsky, D.C.

(dr.touchinsky@...) wrote:

> I guess what I'm saying is that with something like the Vitamix, you're

> getting juice and fiber. The fiber present is not going to prevent you

> from absorbing the nutrients. In theory I guess you can say it may reduce

> absorption somewhat, but

> I'm not so sure its significant. Also as mentioned, even the best juicer will produce juice that has fiber in it. It doesn't

> get rid of it all.

>

> But yeah, I understand what you're saying. I just don't think

> there's that much of a practical difference.

> -----------

> Buddy A

[Guest guest]

Exactly why I only use Stevia (rarely) and if someone just can't bring themselves to do stevia I recommend dates because At Least there are up to 4 grams of fiber in a serving of dates to go with the sugar... :-)

Blessings,Lea Ann SavageSatellite Beach, FL(321) 773-7088 (home)(321-961-9219 (cell)))><'>www.VitamixLady.comwww..com<))><

Re: Re: Juicing

Consider the insulin response needed to balance the sugar of 3 lbs of carrots. -----------Buddy A. Touchinsky, D.C.www.drtouchinsky.com

On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 7:47 PM, <cking001@...> wrote:

The difference is quantity.It takes 3 pounds (as I recall) of carrots to get a glass of juice.But you get all the nutrients.You'd be overstuffed if you ate 3 pounds of vitamixed carrots.So, for nutrient density, juicing would win.Depends on what you need.Imagine the amount of veggies it takes to make a jug of V-8...ChuckI wear my heart on my sleeve. I wear my liver on my pant leg. -- On 11/23/2010 7:21:23 PM, Buddy A. Touchinsky, D.C.

(dr.touchinsky@...) wrote:> I guess what I'm saying is that with something like the Vitamix, you're> getting juice and fiber. The fiber present is not going to prevent you> from absorbing the nutrients. In theory I guess you can say it may reduce> absorption somewhat, but> I'm not so sure its significant. Also as mentioned, even the best juicer will produce juice that has fiber in it. It doesn't> get rid of it all. > > But yeah, I understand what you're saying. I just don't think> there's that much of a practical difference. > -----------> Buddy A

[Guest guest]

I have had my Champion Juicer for 32 years now and it still works great; it has

however, lost a few " feet " and since I am cheap, I now sit it on a few rubber

pads intended to be put under chair legs when I use it.

, sounds like a great combo for juice, how much ginger do you put in and do

you put Vit C or anything in the juice to help keep it from oxidizing since it

sounds like you make enough for a week?

thanks,

Joyce

> >

> > Ah, the old debate!

> > I've been juicing and Vita-blending since 1988 and I'm here t'tell ya that

the Vitamix is NOT a juicer, period. You can grind in the Vitamix and then

strain through something to get juice (which, by definition is liquid, i.e.,

pulp-free) but it won't give you juice. There are benefits to both whole foods

and fresh juices and they're different sides of the same coin and are based on

the same thing: fiber. With whole foods, you get the benefit of the fiber

(roughage and soluble if the produce in question contains both); our bodies need

it to move food through our (long, unlike our carnivorous friends) gut and it's

also suggested that it helps to absorb fats. It also helps us to feel full and

it often contains nutrients as well (e.g., commercial B Vitamins are often made

from rice polishings). Our bodies cannot digest roughage and BTW, enzymes have

nothing to do with whether or not something is juiced. They're proteins that

catalyze chemical and bio-chemical reactions and are affected by heat, not

grinding. They're by no stretch of the imagination " alive. "

> > Fresh juice, on the other hand, is almost immediately absorbed by the body

because the body isn't working hard at trying to digest the undigestable. This

makes juice especially useful if the body is in a stress situation because more

nutrients can be absorbed without feeling full. There are people who refuse to

consume juice because the roughage isn't there (the soluble fiber, on the other

hand, is if the produce contains it). It's a toss-up and I personally think you

can benefit from consuming both. I'd also mention that Max Gerson, the founder

of the Gerson Diet for cancer which involves the consumption of enormous amounts

of pressed juice, felt initially that there was no reason why fresh, whole

produce would produce the same effects as juice and then determined that it

wasn't working. That diet also stresses the need for whole produce IN ADDITION

TO enormous amounts of fresh, pressed fruit and vegetable juices. Mind you, I

make no claims for this diet--I'm just reporting what I've read. And yes, fruit

juices will give you more of a sugar rush than a piece of fruit will which is

why diabetics experiencing an insulin reaction grab for OJ rather than an

orange.

> > Vitamix " total juice " isn't juice at all--it's diluted puree, which is why

real carrot juice and Vitamix " total juice " taste nothing alike (and why it's

often disappointing to those who like carrot juice). Personally, I think

whatever makes one happy is fine--people get into very heated discussions over

this issue and I can't figure out why. There's room for both in a healthful

diet. I would recommend, though, that those wanting to juice try to borrow a

juicer first to see if it's something they want to do--juicing is work and

people lose interest in their appliances. Also, I think the best home juicer

(that won't break the bank) for versatility, durability, and quality of juice is

a commercial Champion. I bought mine in 1988 and it's still running. If you're

serious about making juice, avoid most centrifugal juicers and virtually all of

the Korean single- and twin-gear models (especially the latter).

> > I'm now off to juice 6 lbs. of carrots with some Fuji apples, beets, and

ginger for a week's worth of deliciousness.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lea Ann,

How do I know that I have run my Vitamix long enough to have popped the maximum

number of cells walls possible in my smoothies?

thanks,

Joyce

> > I guess what I'm saying is that with something like the Vitamix, you're

> > getting juice and fiber. The fiber present is not going to prevent you

> > from absorbing the nutrients. In theory I guess you can say it may

reduce

> > absorption somewhat, but

> > I'm not so sure its significant. Also as mentioned, even the best

juicer will produce juice that has fiber in it. It doesn't

> > get rid of it all.

> >

> > But yeah, I understand what you're saying. I just don't think

> > there's that much of a practical difference.

> > -----------

> > Buddy A

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Joyce,

I run my Vitamix surprisingly longer than most people. That is why in my juice instructions I spend so much time explaining how to keep it COLD (to allow as much blending time as possible).

I make smoothies with triple berry mix A LOT and it takes a LOT of blending to get those berry seeds tiny. I never get them completely liquefied, but I get them ground down pretty dern well ;-)

That being said, I don't know how to tell when the MAXIMUM cells have been popped, I just run it until the mixture is good and smooth. Depending on how much fiber or seeds were in my concoction, it can often be up to two full minutes - with triple berries, sometimes a tad longer. But remember, I start with plenty of frozen stuff (my triple berries are always frozen) and often I keep chucking ice cubes (or other frozen ingredients such as frozen banana) to give me more blending time.

A pumpkin smoothie would not take as long to blend as triple berry or a smoothie with cantaloupe seeds because everything is pretty soft to start with. That was just a for example. For the people who like their smoothies warm - remember, you can start out with frozen and end up with hot fruit syrup :-) So to if you want your juice smooth and the maximum cells popped, start off with ice instead of water or plenty of frozen fruit and blend until it is the temperature you like!

Hope this is helpful!

Blessings,Lea Ann SavageSatellite Beach, FL(321) 773-7088 (home)(321-961-9219 (cell)))><'>www.VitamixLady.comwww..com<))><

Re: Juicing

Hi Lea Ann,How do I know that I have run my Vitamix long enough to have popped the maximum number of cells walls possible in my smoothies?thanks,Joyce

> > I guess what I'm saying is that with something like the Vitamix, you're> > getting juice and fiber. The fiber present is not going to prevent you> > from absorbing the nutrients. In theory I guess you can say it may reduce> > absorption somewhat, but> > I'm not so sure its significant. Also as mentioned, even the best juicer will produce juice that has fiber in it. It doesn't> > get rid of it all. > > > > But yeah, I understand what you're saying. I just don't think> > there's that much of a practical difference. > > -----------> > Buddy A>

[Guest guest]

I also blend a long time, several minutes at least. I always add flax seed to any smoothie and they are always purred well. I use frozen fruit and like Lea Ann I add ice cubes if i need to. I use a lot of blueberries. They get added to any smoothie. Not much in the way of seeds in blueberries but when I add raspberries or blackberries it really needs a longer time.TerrySent from my iPadOn Nov 27, 2010, at 2:56 PM, "Lea Ann Savage" <lsavage@...> wrote:

Hey Joyce,

I run my Vitamix surprisingly longer than most people. That is why in my juice instructions I spend so much time explaining how to keep it COLD (to allow as much blending time as possible).

I make smoothies with triple berry mix A LOT and it takes a LOT of blending to get those berry seeds tiny. I never get them completely liquefied, but I get them ground down pretty dern well ;-)

That being said, I don't know how to tell when the MAXIMUM cells have been popped, I just run it until the mixture is good and smooth. Depending on how much fiber or seeds were in my concoction, it can often be up to two full minutes - with triple berries, sometimes a tad longer. But remember, I start with plenty of frozen stuff (my triple berries are always frozen) and often I keep chucking ice cubes (or other frozen ingredients such as frozen banana) to give me more blending time.

A pumpkin smoothie would not take as long to blend as triple berry or a smoothie with cantaloupe seeds because everything is pretty soft to start with. That was just a for example. For the people who like their smoothies warm - remember, you can start out with frozen and end up with hot fruit syrup :-) So to if you want your juice smooth and the maximum cells popped, start off with ice instead of water or plenty of frozen fruit and blend until it is the temperature you like!

Hope this is helpful!

Blessings,Lea Ann SavageSatellite Beach, FL(321) 773-7088 (home)(321-961-9219 (cell)))><'>www.VitamixLady.comwww..com<))><

Re: Juicing

Hi Lea Ann,How do I know that I have run my Vitamix long enough to have popped the maximum number of cells walls possible in my smoothies?thanks,Joyce

> > I guess what I'm saying is that with something like the Vitamix, you're> > getting juice and fiber. The fiber present is not going to prevent you> > from absorbing the nutrients. In theory I guess you can say it may reduce> > absorption somewhat, but> > I'm not so sure its significant. Also as mentioned, even the best juicer will produce juice that has fiber in it. It doesn't> > get rid of it all. > > > > But yeah, I understand what you're saying. I just don't think> > there's that much of a practical difference. > > -----------> > Buddy A>

[Guest guest]

You don't need much ginger--just maybe a piece half the size of the first digit of your thumb for 5 lbs. of carrots. I juice with a Norwalk, though, so my juice holds quite a long time (I don't add anything). I DO suggest, though, that you peel your carrots, beets, and parsnips and remove the tops and tails--this will help maintain the quality of your juice for longer periods. Make sure, also, that your containers have as little air as possible. And you might want to squeeze your pulp through a nut milk bag, too.

Always nice to run into a fellow Champion fan!

Re: Juicing

I have had my Champion Juicer for 32 years now and it still works great; it has however, lost a few "feet" and since I am cheap, I now sit it on a few rubber pads intended to be put under chair legs when I use it.

, sounds like a great combo for juice, how much ginger do you put in and do you put Vit C or anything in the juice to help keep it from oxidizing since it sounds like you make enough for a week?

thanks,

Joyce

> >

> > Ah, the old debate!

> > I've been juicing and Vita-blending since 1988 and I'm here t'tell ya that the Vitamix is NOT a juicer, period. You can grind in the Vitamix and then strain through something to get juice (which, by definition is liquid, i.e., pulp-free) but it won't give you juice. There are benefits to both whole foods and fresh juices and they're different sides of the same coin and are based on the same thing: fiber. With whole foods, you get the benefit of the fiber (roughage and soluble if the produce in question contains both); our bodies need it to move food through our (long, unlike our carnivorous friends) gut and it's also suggested that it helps to absorb fats. It also helps us to feel full and it often contains nutrients as well (e.g., commercial B Vitamins are often made from rice polishings). Our bodies cannot digest roughage and BTW, enzymes have nothing to do with whether or not something is juiced. They're proteins that catalyze chemical and bio-chemical reactions and are affected by heat, not grinding. They're by no stretch of the imagination "alive."

> > Fresh juice, on the other hand, is almost immediately absorbed by the body because the body isn't working hard at trying to digest the undigestable. This makes juice especially useful if the body is in a stress situation because more nutrients can be absorbed without feeling full. There are people who refuse to consume juice because the roughage isn't there (the soluble fiber, on the other hand, is if the produce contains it). It's a toss-up and I personally think you can benefit from consuming both. I'd also mention that Max Gerson, the founder of the Gerson Diet for cancer which involves the consumption of enormous amounts of pressed juice, felt initially that there was no reason why fresh, whole produce would produce the same effects as juice and then determined that it wasn't working. That diet also stresses the need for whole produce IN ADDITION TO enormous amounts of fresh, pressed fruit and vegetable juices. Mind you, I make no claims for this diet--I'm just reporting what I've read. And yes, fruit juices will give you more of a sugar rush than a piece of fruit will which is why diabetics experiencing an insulin reaction grab for OJ rather than an orange.

> > Vitamix "total juice" isn't juice at all--it's diluted puree, which is why real carrot juice and Vitamix "total juice" taste nothing alike (and why it's often disappointing to those who like carrot juice). Personally, I think whatever makes one happy is fine--people get into very heated discussions over this issue and I can't figure out why. There's room for both in a healthful diet. I would recommend, though, that those wanting to juice try to borrow a juicer first to see if it's something they want to do--juicing is work and people lose interest in their appliances. Also, I think the best home juicer (that won't break the bank) for versatility, durability, and quality of juice is a commercial Champion. I bought mine in 1988 and it's still running. If you're serious about making juice, avoid most centrifugal juicers and virtually all of the Korean single- and twin-gear models (especially the latter).

> > I'm now off to juice 6 lbs. of carrots with some Fuji apples, beets, and ginger for a week's worth of deliciousness.

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi,

After many years of not juicing I began again about 2 weeks ago because my dog's ultrasound showed up as a possible ulcer in her tummy. Since I was juicing cabbage and apples for her, I decided to start juicing for myself.

-Which are the best green leafy veggies to get the most amount of juice out of?

-The base of my Acme juicer has been extremely hot..is this normal? I can't recall.

-Should I have to get another juicer, which is considered the best within a reasonable price point.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

, I wrote that I use the Omega, and have since '99. It is centrifugal, but my juice is never hot, even when the veggies are room temp. :)Judi

[Guest guest]

I was referring to the juice being warm b/c some people feel centrifugal juicers make the juice warm where masticating juicers do not. Mine is centrifugal, but the juice is never warm. I wasn't talking about the base getting warm, although I did see your post on that. :)Judi