What About the Sugar?

Juicing has become a popular method to improve and maintain overall health. However, the sugar content in juices, specifically fruit juices, raises concerns about its impact on well-being.

Natural Sugar vs. Processed Sugar

Pure fruit and vegetable juices contain sugar due to the sugar in their whole counterparts. However, the sugar in pure juice is different from the sugar in unhealthy “junk” food and beverages. Foods and drinks like candy and soda are made up of processed sugars, which offer little nutritional value, are high in unhealthy fats and calories, contribute to weight gain, and pose risks to overall health. In contrast, pure juices contain natural sugars, as well as nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Between the two, natural sugars are a healthier choice as they are digested more slowly, help maintain stable blood glucose levels, and support a balanced metabolism.

How To Make Low-Sugar Juice

While it is healthier to consume natural sugars over processed sugars, it’s still important to be mindful of your sugar intake and consume sugar in moderation. If you want to create pure juices that are low in sugar, try following these tips.

Use low-sugar fruits
Avoid using high-sugar fruits
Opt for vegetables over fruits

We encourage speaking to your doctor or practitioner before juicing if you have diabetes or any other minor or major health issues.

1. Use low-sugar fruits

The amount of natural sugar in fruit varies. To make a low-sugar juice with fruit, choose fruits with lower natural sugar content. The following are some low-sugar fruits that work for juicing:

Apple
Blackberries
Cantaloupe
Cucumber
Grapefruit
Honeydew melon
Kiwi
Lemon

Lime
Orange
Papaya
Peach
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon

2. Avoid using high-sugar fruits

Likewise, it is advisable to refrain from using fruits with high sugar content or incorporate them in small quantities when making juices. Be mindful of these high-sugar fruits:

Banana
Cherries
Grapes
Guava
Lychee

Mango
Pear
Pomegranate
Passionfruit

3. Opt for vegetables over fruits

Vegetables are a great choice for juicing as they contain lower amounts of natural sugars compared to fruits. To reduce sugar intake from juices, it is recommended to focus primarily on incorporating vegetables. Here is a comprehensive list of vegetables that are ideal for juicing:

Arugula
Beets
Carrot
Celeriac
Celery
Chards
Cilantro
Fennel
Ginger
Greens
Herbs
Kale
Kohlrabi

Lettuce
Onion
Parsley
Parsnip
Radishes
Rhubarb
Spinach
Squashes
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Turmeric
Turnip
Wheatgrass

For beginner juicers, transitioning to purely vegetable juices can be challenging initially due to taste preferences. A helpful tip is to begin by incorporating low-sugar fruits into your juices and gradually reducing or eliminating them as you acquire a taste for vegetable-based juices. With time, you'll find yourself enjoying 100% vegetable juice. In the meantime, here's an enticing super green juice recipe featuring a blend of vegetables and low-sugar fruits: