To Juice or Not to Juice?

That is the big question, right? 

Friends are constantly asking me what I think about juice cleanses. There's no denying that a green juice packed with spinach, kale, and beets is good for your health. But should you be drinking them consistently and exclusively for several days on one of the popular juice cleanses celebs are so often promoting?

The majority of the trainers and nutritionists I have spoken with say no. While it may help you drop weight immediately, the results won't last. Just like any diet that restricts you to under 1000 calories a day, you will obviously lose a little weight... and a lot of water. But what juicing lacks is the complete nutrients you need on a daily basis including protein, fat, and fiber.  

While some people claim to feel more clear and focused, you'll most likely feel like this:

JUICE from SRSLY. on Vimeo.

And the results will not be long lasting unless you continue to stick to an extremely low-calorie diet.

So what should you be doing instead? If you're looking to try a less drastic means of quickly cleaning out your system, a lot of people I have spoken with recommend a smoothie cleanse. With smoothies you can pack in your protein by way of a clean Whey protein powder, fat by adding almond butter and avocado, and tons of fiber from using full pieces of fruit, and not just the juice.

Try my Pumpkin Pie smoothie >>

Or try Angela from Oh She Glow's Green Monster Smoothie >>

In Harley Pasternak's new book, The Body Reset Diet, he suggests a smoothie cleanse for the first week of his diet plan. Harley is responsible for hot bodies like Megan Fox, Rihanna, Eva Mendes, and many more. Check out Harley's fitness routine to get Fox's hot bod >>

The Doctor's Dr. Travis Stork, similarly suggests avoiding an all juice diet. He's kind of a stud, so I trust him. Watch our interview, the juicing info is around 6:45.

Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't drink juices at all. I love grabbing a low-sugar, antioxidant-packed juice during the day, just to add an extra boost of nutrients to my diet (especially when my meals for the day are lacking veggies). Just make sure when you pick a juice to choose one that doesn't have extra fruit juice added, and that is around 80 calories for 8 ounces. My personal favorite is Greens 1 from Pressed Juicery. 

Weigh in! What are your thoughts? Have you juiced before? How did it turn out? Shout-out below in the comments section.

And follow me on Twitter @WhitneyLEnglish for more nutrition, fitness, and celebrity news!