Juicer, smoothie maker, or blender?
In our work, we often find that many people don't know the difference between a juicer, a smoothie maker, or a blender. It isn't surprising, given how some companies market their blenders as a great juicer as well. Let's look at some of the differences...
What is juicing? Juicing is simply separating the juice from the fiber in fruits and vegetables. The result is concentrated nutrition that is more easily digested. In fact, the body can absorb up to 4 times more vitamins from juice than from whole produce, depending on the type of produce and the method of juicing. Juicing is great for a quick energy hit or to boost the immune system.
What is blending? Blending is taking fruits, vegtables, or other ingredients and mixing them with a liquid at high speeds. The result is a smoothie, which is a healthy snack or meal which will make you feel full. An advantage of blending is the flexibility of ingredients. You can add many things including nuts, seeds, milk, yogurt, or more to make an ideal meal replacement.
What does it mean? In the same way a juicer won't make juice from nuts or yogurt, a blender won't make juice from fruits and vegetables. But both fresh juice and smoothies have benefits. It really depends on what your body needs in a given situation.
View fresh juice as medicine, and a smoothie as a healthy meal
We already discussed the difference between juicing and blending. What about the differences between juice and a smoothie?
Fresh juice
- it gives a fast-acting boost of vitamins and nutrients
- it is effective against fatigue
- it strengthens the immune system
- it can improve mood
- it revitalizes the body at the cellular level
Smoothie
- a healthy snack that can replace a meal
- it makes a great breakfast on the go
- it supplies fiber
- it is ideal before or after a workout
So which one is best? Juicer, smoothie maker, or blender?
The "best" choice is the one which you will use the most. It depends on your goals and lifestyle.
#1 Juicer
Fresh juices are the best way to heal the body, fill it with quick nutrition, and boost the immune system. Just remember that juices are a supplement to regular meals. They don't take the place of a meal, unless you are on a cleansing juice fast. For best vitamin absorption, it is best to have juice at least 15 minutes before a meal, or 2 hours after. We have found cold-press auger juicers to be the most effective juicers at extracting both a high yield and also the highest level of nutrients. They are universal machines effective at everything from fruits to hard vegetables and leafy greens.
A smoothie maker, also known as a personal blender, is an inexpensive and convenient way to make a super healthy breakfast to go. The ability to mix so many ingredients gives you flexibility with flavors and recipes. And with quality brands like Tribest and Vidia offering a lot of power for a low price, it's easier than ever to make a positive change to your lifestyle
#3 Blender
A good blender is best for those who want to make smoothies for the whole family, or those who need the power and mixing ability that it offers. There is a big difference between a department store blender and a quality machine like a Blendtec or Vitamix. A quality blender will mix just about anything, from smoothies to nut butter to soup. And the new generation of vacuum blenders from Vidia and Kuvings are game changers for smoothies, dramatically reducing the loss of nutrients that take place through oxidation.
There isn't a wrong choice
No matter where you fall in the "juicing vs. blending" debate, the fact remains that both are positive choices that can improve your health and energy. If you use it regularly, you'll soon see and feel the changes. We wish you good health and happy juicing (or blending).