Chef Nicks Kitchen

Juicing for Health

Have you ever heard someone speak about the
value of eating raw foods? There is an
unfortunate impression held by some that
raw foods are for vegans and vegetarians
only. We hope this article will open your
eyes to the value of juicing fresh fruit
and vegetables as a simple way of making
raw food a part of your daily diet.

It is no secret that we need to eat more
fresh vegetables and fruits. What isn't
as well known is that we stand to benefit
far more from a raw veggie than one that
has been cooked. The closer we come to
eating fresh produce straight from the
ground, vine or tree - the greater the
nutritional value.

Why is that? Vegetables and fruits
contain enzymes that help our bodies
with digestion. When we cook them,
these enzymes begin to break down and
they're no longer useful to our bodies
in that way and our bodies have to pick
up the slack, providing our own enzymes
for the digestion process. Cooked foods
take more time and more energy to digest.

If you consume more raw foods, your body
can benefit from the full nutritional
value and live enzymes. The food is
digested sooner, delivering more energy
and letting the body use its important
resources for needed repairs rather than
working so hard at the digestion process.

Our busy lifestyles resist a raw good diet.
It takes more time to prepare and consume
raw foods on a regular basis. Juicing can
become the hero in this situation. You
will still have to buy and clean fresh
fruits and vegetables, but beyond that
there is little need for further
preparation.

Get started. Buy a good juicer. It is
worth the cost to spend a little more
than the minimum as you'll be putting
this kitchen appliance through a daily
or even twice daily work out. Look for
a unit that cleans easily.

Find a good local farmer's market and
plan to pick up fresh ingredients a
couple of times a week. If you can,
choose organic produce. Always wash
all ingredients very well before juicing.

Look online for 'juicing recipes'. Start
out with some simple fruit and vegetable
combinations and slowly build up to
consuming more green combinations with
fewer fruits for the best results.

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Chef Nick Cavataio is the author of "Conquering
Healthier Recipes and Beyond," an cookbook
packed with more than 300 mouth-watering recipes
you can cook quickly at home.
http://www.conqueringhealthierrecipes.com
 

Nick Cavataio 99 Hall Road Owego NY, 607-687-5654 mailto:ncavataio@stny.rr.com