If you want to drink your veggies (and actually enjoy doing it), a good green juice is the way to go.
You might not want to go for the store-bought stuff, though. “Most store-bought juices have either been made from a concentrate or processed with heat,” says nutritionist says Kelly Jones. The result: They contain fewer antioxidants in every sugary sip.
Instead, grab a juicer (or a blender!) and a good green juice recipe and DIY your own.
Even if you don’t have a juicer, a high-power blender — like a Vitamix or Nutibullet — can get your fibrous fruits and veggies fine enough to sip on like juice, too, Jones says. (Plus, the extra fibre you’ll get from making juice in the blender will keep your blood sugar more stable and nourish your good gut bacteria.)
However you whip up your green sips, make sure your green juice recipe incorporates some fruit — like apples and limes. Without the sweetness and acid, typically-bitter greens may leave your juice tasting like grass.
Whether you’re looking for Green Juice Lite or the equivalent of a kale salad in a cup, these are the best green juices (and green smoothies!) you can drink.
1. Easy Green Juice
Per serving: 114 calories, 0.9 g fat (0.2 g saturated), 113 mg sodium, 25.8 g carbs, 3.3 g fibre, 12.9 g sugar, 3.6 g protein
This juice’s ingredient list includes health-boosting spices like ginger and turmeric, plus apple and lemon for the sweetness and acidity a tasty green juice needs.
2. 10-Minute Green Juice
Per serving: 189 calories, 1 g fat, 38 g carbs, 0 g fibre, 16 g sugar, 7 g protein
Kale and romaine give this green juice a good dose of protein, while granny smith apple lends a lovely tartness.
3. Green Juice with Celery
Per serving: 83 calories, 0 g fat, 15 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 3 g fibre, 12 g sugar, 2 g protein
This celery- and cucumber-packed juice is super hydrating, low in carbs, and pretty much guaranteed to make you glow from the inside out.
4. Citrusy Green Juice
Per serving: 97 calories, 1 g fat, 16 mg sodium, 22 g carbs, 1 g fibre, 17 g sugar, 2 g protein
Oranges give this green juice a sweet, refreshing flavour that’s easy for green juice newbies to enjoy.
READ MORE: What Is Moringa And What Are The Health Benefits?
5. Fennel Green Juice
Per serving: 139 calories, 0.5 g fat, 41 mg sodium, 35.6 g carbs, 8 g fibre, 20.7 g sugar, 1.8 g protein
Fennel gives this quick-to-whip-up green juice unique flavour that has a particularly summery vibe.
6. Pineapple Green Smoothie
Per serving: 131 calories, 2 g fat (2 g saturated), 13 mg sodium, 28 g carbs, 3 g fibre, 18 g sugar, 1 g protein
Step your green juice up a notch with this smoothie, which contains tangy-sweet pineapple and electrolyte-packed coconut water.
7. Blender Green Juice
Per serving: 81 calories, 0g fat (0 g saturated), 40 mg sodium, 19 g carbs, 3 g fibre, 11 g sugar, 2 g protein
Blend up your morning green juice to keep as much fibre in as possible. If you want it to be pulp-free, simply strain out the liquid by using a cheesecloth. This recipe has notes of citrus and herbs, and it’s ready in just 10 minutes.
8. The Ultimate Green Smoothie
Per serving: 198 calories, 1 g fat (1 g saturated), 83 mg sodium, 47 g carbs, 5 g fibre, 40 g sugar, 5 g protein
Turn green juice into a meal by adding high-protein Greek yoghurt to the no-joke mix of green veggies — which includes romaine, kale, spinach, and broccoli (trust) — in this recipe.
READ MORE: This Creamy Kale Pasta Recipe Features Cottage Cheese As A Secret Ingredient
9. Simple Green Juice
Per serving: 92 calories, 0.8 g fat (0.2 g saturated), 149.4 mg sodium, 21 g carbs, 6.2 g fibre, 6.2 g sugar, 2.8 g protein
This six-ingredient green juice contains all the essentials — herbs, leafy greens, fruit, and spice. Mix it up by swapping parsley for coriander or basil, or opting for turmeric or cayenne instead of ginger.
10. Green Detox Smoothie
Per serving: 136 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 104 mg sodium, 28 g carbs, 4 g fibre, 17 g sugar, 1 g protein
Blended with chia seeds and leafy greens, this green machine provides healthy fat and fibre to fill you up. A little honey makes it perfectly sweet, too.
11. Ginger Celery Juice
Per serving: 154 calories, 0.8 g fat (0.2 g saturated), 7 mg sodium, 41 g carbs, 7 g fibre, 27 g sugar, 2 g protein
Get on the celery juice train with this gingery celery juice. It also contains cucumber to keep the beautifying hydration high.
12. Creamy Avocado Banana Green Smoothie
Per serving: 146 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated), 138 mg sodium, 18.2 g carbs, 5.3 g fibre, 7.4 g sugar, 6.9 g protein
A variety of mixed green gives this smoothie a beautiful hue, while avocado and banana make the texture just right and protein powder offers staying power.
This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
