On a visit to a supermarket, it isn’t hard to spot plastic/glass bottles of pre-made smoothies and juices tempting you to pick ‘em up. Who doesn’t get attracted to these fancy labels and attractive varieties of juices anyway!
Although there is this guilty conscious inside that tells you that fresh juice is way better than these juices lying in the refrigerators for prolonged times, but are these a good alternative for preparing a glass of fresh juice using a slow masticating juicer or a high-speed blender. So in this situation, you end up feeling good about your purchase of cold-pressed green juices.
But, is there really anything to be happy about a purchase of overpriced juice that has been refrigerated for long?? Well, there are many factors that one has to consider while answering this question. Some of the important things that you must consider are-
- Brands - BluePrint, Naked Juice, Evolution Fresh, Suja…and the list goes on! There are numerous brands that are offering smoothies and juices for you to grab off the shelves. You must make a study about the brand and its ethics before you consume its products. For example, Naked Juice got over a class-action lawsuit because of false advertising. We are not filling terror in your minds against a brand, nor are we suggesting anything. But it is just that you need to be conscious of what you are consuming.
- Pasteurization - It is the best option if you could drink the juice just after it is made. So, whether your juice is pasteurized or not, is something to be considered as well. Many times it is not possible to consume fresh juice, at such times you may go for cold-pressed juices as the nutrients stay almost intact and the juice made has a shelf-life of 2 to 3 days.
- Check the sugar - You may think that it is an extremely healthy option that you are choosing when you buy these juices. But, these juices have already lost the fiber! No doubt it may contain super foods, but it would anyways spike the levels of blood sugar. Though, if you don’t as well eat the veggies, better drink them.
- Cost factor - 16-ounce juice of apple or kale can easily cost you a small fortune, and at this price it is better to consume the apple/kale itself, especially if kale constitutes a very low percentage of the juice. Or, if you want to have juice only, you may make it by yourself at a fraction of the price per serving.
- In addition, home-made juice would certainly be fresh and healthier. But again, if you want to indulge in an exotic juice which is reasonably priced, and cold-pressed, you may! Why? Because juices are really delicious!
- Think of the environment! - Buying bottled juice is easy, but have you ever given a thought that what happens to all those bottles? Buying up a ton of commercial green juice may be quick and easy, but what happens with all those bottles?
- If you are concerned about the environment, it is highly recommended to purchase green juices only in glass containers. It plays far less havoc than plastic and moreover, it won’t leach out the chemicals into the products (green juices) it contains. When you make it at home, the waste can be further reduced by composting the pulp. Who knows whether the pulp of bottled green juices is composted or not?
There’s no clear verdict as to bottled green juice is healthy or not, because it primarily depends on the combination of the above factors. Juices definitely boost your health, so, if you are not willing to buy a juicer, you may buy bottled juices.