Vegetable Juice Recipes

The importance and health benefit of fresh vegetables in the diet has always been stressed since time immemorial. In addition to the interesting vegetable recipes in various cuisines across the globe, there exists a simple and healthy way for consumption of fresh and healthy vegetables – vegetable juice. One common question is the consumption of vegetable juices synonymous with a raw diet? Well, of course not. Vegetable juices can be made from raw as well as boiled vegetables.

Vegetable Juice: Vegetable Nutrition Facts

Different vegetables contain varying amounts of nutritional contents. However, on an average, all the vegetables contain lesser proportions of protein and fat and relatively greater proportions of dietary fiber, vitamins, provitamins, dietary minerals and carbohydrates. Some vegetables also contain phytochemicals, which may have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and even anti-carcinogenic properties.

Vegetable Juice Recipes: Is it Safe to Consume Raw Vegetable Juice?

Although vegetable juices are relatively easy to prepare, there is a limited set of vegetables that can be made with raw vegetables. Commonly used vegetables in fresh vegetable juices are cucumbers, celery, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, other squashes and even fresh green vegetables like spinach, wheat grass or even lettuce. In addition to this, while consuming raw vegetable juices, it is very essential to clean the vegetables thoroughly in order to get rid of any chemicals or pesticides that have been applied to the vegetables.

In addition to this, several medical conditions might call for cooked vegetables and restrict the consumption of raw vegetables. You need to consult your physician and make sure your digestive system would have no trouble with consumption of raw vegetables. One more important issue to keep in mind if you are planning to consume raw vegetable juices regularly is that you must keep on including a variety of vegetables and not stick to one single type for a prolonged period.

Vegetable Juice Recipes

One of the first issues in the consumption of vegetable juices is the taste factor. Most of the vegetables don’t have an appetizing taste on their own and hence need to be enhances with some flavoring with sugar, salt, or some tang. Here are some exciting vegetable juice recipes that you can incorporate in your diet. However if you are suffering from any medical conditions that require you to follow a rigid diet, then you must consult your physician and dietitian before your start consuming these vegetable juices.

Tomato Mint Delight

Looking for a healthy accompaniment to your morning bread on the breakfast table? Try this fresh and healthy tomato juice preparation with a dash of fresh mint. The healthy energizer drink can be a great way to start your day.

Ingredients:

• Fresh Tomatoes – 2
• Sugar – 1 teaspoon
• Fresh Mint Sprigs
• Pinch of salt

Preparation:

Puree the tomato along with the mint sprigs, sugar and salt. Add water only if the juice seems very thick. Not straining the juice is a healthy option. You can serve it chilled with some fresh mint leaves as a garnish.

Tangy Cucumber Breezer

Looking for a healthy thirst-buster on a hot afternoon? Try to indulge in this healthy and refreshing concoction with the goodness of cool cucumbers and just a hint of lemony tang. A great variation of this vegetable juice can be adding watermelon juice to this mixture. Cucumber juice doe not have an overpowering taste as such and hence can be easily combined with several fruit juices as well.

Ingredients:

• Fresh Cucumbers – 2
• Fresh lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
• Fresh Ginger juice – ½ teaspoon
• Sea salt – ½ teaspoon

Preparation:

Extract the cucumber juice and blend it with the lemon juice, ginger juice and sea salt. Blend thoroughly and chill in the refrigerator. Serve chilled with a fresh lemon slice for garnish.