Community Corner
You Are What You Drink, Part 2: Juice
Store-bought juice often packs just as much sugar as soda or other popular drinks. Try these tips to get the most out of your juice and take a look at the nutritional value of your favorite drinks.
Does what you drink really matter for your health? Our choices are endless, but from baby to adult our choices of liquids can make a big difference to how we feel.
In general, we need to take in as much as we put out in respiration, perspiration, and other bodily functions. Some studies suggest that ingesting any fluid as long as it is enough to cover what you are expending is good enough.
Some scientists claim 75 percent of Americans are dehydrated, but those figures are argued greatly among MDs and nutritionists. Ultimately, it can be said that the fluids you ingest — and not just food — can make the difference in your health and well-being.
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Last week, I covered the benefits of nature's classic: water. This week, we're looking at all things juice.
Juice = Calories
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Most bottled juices are not the best choice in nutrition and certainly do not compare to eating a piece of fruit.
When eating a whole orange, for example, the amount of pure juice is offset by the fiber in the pith, adding to its nutritional value. The body will process the fructose and glucose differently because of the fiber content.
Bottled fruit juices are dehydrated, rehydrated, and pasteurized, with a sugar content as high as some soft drinks, and nutritionists are warning parents about the dangers of too many juice boxes during the day.
Dr Briffa.com, a doctor focused on nutrition and natural remedies, warns that children should be limited to 360mls of juice a day, and it should be half water at each serving.
According to Dr. Briffa:
“There is some concern that juices displace other more nutritious foods from the diet, increasing the risk of malnutrition. One study in the Journal of Pediatrics found that young children drinking more than the 360mls per day were prone to short stature and obesity.”
One option can be whole juicing — making a liquid out of whole fruit — or making smoothies from whole fruit. If that is not an option, look for whole fruit choices, such as TraderJoe’s organic carrot juice.
And if that proves a tough sell with the kids (or with you), try mixing it with apple cider or orange juice.
For an alternative to juice that provides all the hydrating qualities of Gatorade without the added refined sugars and coloring, try .
