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Juicers - friend or foe?

Posted at 11:28AM, 29 December 2008 by Holly Jones - Former researcher, bbcgoodfood.com

I have just acquired my first juicer. I was umm-ing and ahh-ing, unsure whether it would end up being another gadget on the kitchen worktop, all shiny but sadly underused or whether it might just revolutionise my life. A colleague had one she wanted to sell so I thought it would be the perfect introduction. Time will tell.

It's currently sat under my desk but I have every intention of taking it home tonight, via the local fruit and veg store to see what delights I can create. But it got me wondering how much healthier it will make me? Can you add juices to your normal everyday diet? Or do you need to worry about all the extra fruit sugars? I am wondering whether the juicer and the nutrients it will bring me, will in fact be adding to my dentist's bill if I'm not careful?

I heard a rumour about the old saying,'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' - it also has the dentist rubbing his hands together in 'filling appointment' But the pros must outweigh the cons? I'm sure of it...so if you got one for Christmas, don't write it off just yet. glee.

A knowledgeable juicer once told me that you should juice your veg and eat your fruit for maximum absorption of nutrients. That's all well and good, but I love a good fruit juice, so I'll definitely be plunging some fruit into my shiny new gadget.

It's a whole new culinary world for me to explore so if you have any favourite combos please do let me know what they are. I'm a complete novice and up until an hour ago I had no idea what a crapple base was - you don't know either. Really, call yourself a foody! Ok, I'll let the secret out, apparently all good juices have a carrot and apple base, commonly known by the juicing elite as crapple.

Now, as I said I'm a novice, so feel free to correct me and fill me in on any juicing faux pas I have made. Maybe I'll go seasonal and do a nice cranberry and pear. Maybe with a touch of sherry or vodka - or does that defeat the purpose?!

Comments

James

30 December 2008, 12:30AM
James

I just used mine earlier tonight. Juiced beetroot, heat, then thicken with cornflour, add a little balsamic syrup, you have a great starter dressing. Or use in ice cream - beetroot ripple. Beetroot n crapple has a great earthy flavour - and beetroot's very good raw. Crapple n ginger is always a winner. We used to do a G5 juice - cucumber, celery, parsley, rocket, ginger. That gets you going in the morning. I kid you not though, we once had a request for cabbage juice - special diet apparently, that's not one I'd reccommend.....

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Ali S

31 December 2008, 8:37PM
Ali S

My hint and tip is to run a washing up bowl full of VERY hot water before you get started and get yourself a naibush you only use for cleaning the juicer as they are a NIGHTMARE to clean unless you do it the second you use it. I go through phases of using mine, but love it when I do.

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Terri

15 January, 8:01PM
Terri

Got mine on Saturday, less than half price in a sale - chucked in all the half-decent fruit left over from Christmas, and it was delicious. I always buy too much fruit, so this should save wasting it! Thanks for the tip about the crapple - will give it a try!

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Poss

21 January, 9:01PM
Poss

Got mine a couple of years ago, and got carried away as soon as I got it home. I juiced about 2lb of pears, plus whatever else was in the fruit bowl, and drunk the lot. I won't go into details as to what happened, but talk about a total clean out - colonic irrigation from the inside ! I use it now and again when I have over bought for the fruit bowl, like at Christmas, but it's a sod to clean.

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Poss

21 January, 9:01PM
Poss

Got mine a couple of years ago, and got carried away as soon as I got it home. I juiced about 2lb of pears, plus whatever else was in the fruit bowl, and drunk the lot. I won't go into details as to what happened, but talk about a total clean out - colonic irrigation from the inside ! I use it now and again when I have over bought for the fruit bowl, like at Christmas, but it's a sod to clean.

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