to think that juicing is nonsense?

[queenofthesheds]

My local naice supermarket now sells the nutribullet thingy and a huge selection of smoothie booster powders and potions, all of which look hugely expensive.

Is this the latest fad? Why can’t you just eat veg in the normal way, and maybe take vitamins now and then? What’s the deal with it all being whizzed up?

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Blending breaks down the fibres so you are getting pure sugar hit. Personally I wouldn't be blending fruit at all after I was advised on this by nutritionist friend. I used to love a smoothie but she put me off.

Nutritionists aren't qualified people 😛 It perhaps breaks down the fibre more than chewing it would, but there's definitely still a lot left in there because it always ends up stuck in my teeth!

It all seems so joyless, particularly protein powders. Isn't food to be enjoyed?

It all seems so joyless

I think the opposite ... I can drink a litre of blended fruit and veg in about 20 seconds then enjoy yummier (less healthy) food safe in the knowledge that I've had my 5 a day (at least!). I would find it pretty joyless to have to eat the amount of fruit/veg it takes to make that much smoothie ...

I have been having at least one big smoothie per day for just over 18 months now, and I've had only one cold in that time (a couple of weeks ago). Usually I would get a cold 2 or 3 times a year. Even the one I had recently wasn't that bad because I didn't have a really blocked nose. Not quite a scientific study, but I'm keeping on with it ...

I love my nutribullet! I usually have one for breakfast consisting of avocado, strawberry, banana, walnut and chai seeds. I'm not hungry till lunchtime because of the protein content. Much better than juicing imo

Me too rollmops ... I add porridge oats too to make it extra filling. I've experimented and found that I prefer cashews to other types of nut when blended.

I think it's nonsense too. I eat a variety of fruit or veg and leave it at that, I can't be asked to go beyond that and have never been convinced there's any point in doing so.

Will try some oats TidyLike

When I'm feeling a bit exotic I add in some coconut milk ( I probably need to get out more )

Eating fruit and vegetables like nature intended is joyful, not a chore. I don't even think about 5 a day.

I too had GD and had been merrily juicing up until that point. My first post diagnosis consultation was with the nutritionist who put me off fruit juice for life. Pure sugar hit, as others have said.

Sounds like blending plays a really useful role in helping some of us get 5 a day but that others just don’t need any help because they have no trouble eating enough fruit and veg ... different strokes for different folks

I read, I think on the NHS website, that there are three main health benefits to eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables: the mechanical effects of more bulk passing through the intestines; the displacement effects of fruit and veg replacing other more processed foods in terms of them taking longer/ more effort to eat, allowing the body to feel satiated; and the vitamins and minerals in them.

Juicing and blending only provide the last benefit - you can knock back a smoothie much faster than eating the equivalent amount of food, and they don't provide much if any bulk to the bowel, which is why they only count as one of give s day no matter how much you have.

I've never read it but I assume the same would go for a vegetable soup, blended vegetables so only one of the five.

It all seems so joyless, particularly protein powders. Isn't food to be enjoyed?

I've got no interest in food, eating is a chore for the most part - I'd happily take a pill rather than have to plough through food three times a frigging day. I often have no appetite due to stress, and have had friends recommend smoothies and juices to get some goodness in when I just can't face eating anything. Preparing and cooking and eating food is a massive faff I just can't be arsed with. So juicing would be a good way to get some protein in as well as fresh veg and fruit

Protein powders and shakes produce the most horrific farts known to woman, man or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This is one of the reasons I don't go to the gym that much now - other people's rotten-meat trumps.