Should we always blend whole foods and avoid juicing?

[Lisa Miller]

I own both a juicer and a high powered blender (similar to a vitamix). I've heard mixed reviews on whether we should juice at all based on the removal of fiber and some nutrient value. Is there ever a nutritional reason to juice over blending whole foods?

[Laura Knoff]

The fiber does contain minerals and even some vitamins in addition to fiber. Without the fiber the ratios are disturbed. Blending and juicing allow us to eat more vegetables and therefore provides more nutrients. A lot depends on the individual needs of the individual. If antioxidant are what is needed most, as in the case of cancer, then fresh vegetable juices can be very useful to provide larger amounts of raw vegetables and their vitamins.

[davidb016]

I asked this same question of my mentor just recently. I myself have been using a blender for many years for 2 basic reasons; one, the good juicers are very expensive and two, I know that fiber in my diet is important. In the morning sometimes I drink up to a  quart smoothie of vegetables, fruit and spices. Of course I must stay close the bathroom as the fiber helps move things through. This has helped me maintain an ideal weight; I'm 5' 10" @ 153. A number of holistic health friends that I know advocate juicing. Juicing gives us many more nutrients at one time. We could not possibly handle that much fiber at one time. Some will take the fiber later and mix it with a poached egg. The Gerson Therapy uses juicing, but that's primarily for cancer, although Max Gerson himself healed Albert Schweitzer and his wife from diabetes and tuberculosis, respectively with juicing.  if you're healing, juicing would probably be best. In the end it comes down to what your own personal needs are.