Juicing is a growing food trend, and for a good reason. With more and more people seeking ways to incorporate healthful, natural foods into their busy lifestyles, juicing satisfies multiple needs.

Whether you're looking to refuel after your a workout, or just need a quick and healthy meal you can enjoy on the run, blending homemade juice lets you pack several servings of fruits and veggies into one glass.

The Difference Between a Juice and Blender

Your Vitamix machine can blend as well as perform whole-food juicing easily, but if you're really in a time crunch, blending is an easier and cleaner option.

For blending, add your smoothie ingredients — roughly chopped is fine — to your Vitamix machine. Turn it on and gradually work up to the highest speed, blending until the drink takes on a smooth, creamy texture. Play around with adding more liquid for a thinner smoothie, or more fruit for a thicker smoothie, until you get the right consistency.

Juicing starts the same way but requires some additional time and makes a little extra mess. After you've blended your juicing ingredients using the directions above, run the mixture through a filtration bag, cheesecloth or mesh strainer to separate the juice from the pulp. Squeeze the bag gently to extract as much juice as possible. If choosing to juice, try a refreshing Apple Juice, or sip on a medley of flavors in the Carrot Juice Plus. To maintain the highest nutritional value, leave the juice unstrained.

Blend for More Fiber

While juice is still a source of vitamins and minerals, straining out the pulp removes most or all of the dietary fiber, leaving it with a major nutritional disadvantage. Most people need more fiber in their diet. The average American downs only 14 grams of fiber per day, which is just over half the daily need for women and one-third of what men require.

Choosing fiber-free juice over fiber-filled smoothies also means your beverage won't be as satisfying as it could be. Fiber naturally regulates your blood sugar levels and absorbs water in your digestive tract, which means you feel fuller longer. If you opt for juice over a smoothie, the lack of fiber combined with the blood sugar spike might leave you ravenous in an hour or two.

Fiber is essential for long-term health, too. It absorbs cholesterol in your digestive tract and flushes it out of your body, which is helpful for reducing risk factors for heart disease. Meals high in fiber also keep your digestive system moving, preventing constipation.

Blend to Reduce Food Waste

Fruits and veggies are the most wasted food, according to an Environmental Protection Agency report, accounting for almost half of the total food waste in America in 2010.

Opting to blend ensures you keep all the goodness of the produce in your smoothie, virtually eliminating waste. When you juice, you increase food waste as you end up throwing out the pulp. And because you can't separate all the juice from the pulp, you're also wasting some fresh, nutrient-rich juice.

Vitamix Juice Recipes

Try these three homemade juice recipes for a burst of flavor and nutrients.

Orange Juice Plus

Give fresh orange juice an unexpected twist with a splash of vanilla extract.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) water
  • 2 oranges, peeled
  • ¾ cup (95 g) ice cubes
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately.

    Nutritional facts and reviews

    Ginger Greens Juice

    A delicate mix of cucumbers, celery, apples, and kale will give you a little extra pick-up that will keep you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup (120 ml) water
    • 1 cucumber, quartered
    • 1½ stalks celery, diced
    • 2 apples, seeded, cored, quartered
    • 2 cups (60 g) kale, chopped
    • 1 inch (3 cm) fresh ginger root

    Directions

    1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
    2. Select Variable 1.
    3. Turn machine on and slowly increase to the highest speed.
    4. Blend for 30-45 seconds, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.
    5. Strain through a filtration bag.
    6. Store in refrigerator. Use within 2 days.

    Nutritional facts and reviews

    Whole Food Juice Drink

    This refreshing carrot juice is enhanced with the complementary flavor of natural lemon juice.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup (240 ml) water
    • 1½ cup (180 g) carrots, halved
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 1 cup (130 g) ice cubes

    Directions

    1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
    2. Select Variable 1.
    3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
    4. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

    Nutritional facts and reviews

    Try these other juicing recipes in your Vitamix.