Is juicing a good way to lose weight?
At Noom, we don’t believe that drinking your calories is the best approach to weight loss.
Yes, juices pack in plenty of nutrients, but they’re usually not as filling as whole fruits and veggies.
Why? Because juicing removes a lot of the fiber that’s normally present in the whole versions of these foods.
And according to the Cleveland Clinic, some types of fiber just might help you feel full for longer periods of time. That means you’re less likely to feel hungry between meals and overeat—making it easier to maintain the caloric deficit needed for weight loss.
Research also suggests a link between fiber intake and weight loss. One study found that “the most influential predictor” of weight loss was how much fiber participants were consuming.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should avoid juicing altogether. Juices can actually help you reach your recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables more easily.
And if you’re not typically a fan of munching on veggies, don’t worry! Just a little fruit goes a long way in masking the taste of some of those veggies you don’t typically enjoy.
But juicing shouldn’t be done in place of eating. Juice diets (a.k.a. juice cleanses or juice fasts) aren’t sustainable long term, and we don’t recommend them.
Instead, supplement your meal with a nutrient-dense juice.
Balance out that vitamin-rich breakfast juice with an egg-white scramble on whole-wheat toast. Or drink juice in place of a snack between lunch and dinner.
Noom’s best juicing recipes for weight loss
Looking for juicing recipes that can help you quickly ramp up your nutrient intake—and kick start weight loss that’s actually sustainable?
Take a look at our favorite juicing recipes for weight loss. No grassy concoctions here—these homemade juices taste so good you’ll actually look forward to them.
And if you’re looking to boost your fiber intake, feel free to add some of the pulp from the juicer back into your juice when it’s done.
1. Green flex juice
This delicious green juice recipe offers tart, sweet citrus flavors from your choice of oranges or lemons. (For a more adventurous option, you can even experiment with lime juice.)
A filling glass of this green juice makes a nice contribution to a meal or a stand-in for a snack.
And you can modify ingredients as needed. Swap out kale leaves for spinach, the ginger root for honey, green apples for red apples, or combine them all for a boost in flavor profile.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch chopped kale or spinach
- 1 large lemon or orange, peeled, deseeded, and quartered
- 1 inch fresh ginger (peeled) or 2 teaspoons raw honey
- 1 large cucumber, cut in four strips
- 2 large Granny Smith or red apples, deseeded and sliced
- 4 whole celery stalks
Instructions:
Wash and prepare all the produce. Juice each item in the order it’s listed and drain juice through a strainer (if you prefer less pulp). Chill or serve over ice cubes (if desired), and enjoy!
2. Energizer juice
This delicious and energizing weight loss juice is packed with earthy root vegetables.
It includes a carrot juice base, a little spice, and the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
This fresh juice is perfect when you need a morning or afternoon energy boost.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 medium beets, trimmed and halved
- 6 medium carrots, peeled
- 2 medium apples, cored and quartered
- 1/2 medium lemon, halved
- 1-2 inches fresh ginger, peeled
Instructions:
Wash and prepare all the ingredients. Juice each item in the order it’s listed. Strain the juice if you prefer less pulp. Chill or serve over ice (if desired), and enjoy!
3. Sunset citrus elixir juice
Wake up and improve your blood flow with this citrusy, nutrient-packed blend of fruit juices.
Beets can help lower blood pressure, while oranges and pineapple provide lots of vitamin C. So if you’re looking for a healthy juice recipe, this is it.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium grapefruits, peeled and separated
- 2 large green apples, cored and quartered
- 1 large orange, peeled and separated
- 2 cups of pineapple chunks
- 1/2 beet, trimmed and halved
- 1 sprig of mint (as garnish or juiced in)
Instructions:
Wash and prepare all the ingredients. Juice each item in the order it’s listed. Strain the juice if you prefer less pulp. Chill or serve over ice cubes (if desired), and enjoy!
4. Bright cucumber cabbage juice
It might sound weird to put cabbage in your juice, but trust us—this drink is delicious.
This juice is bright and refreshing thanks to the cucumber and apple, while the cabbage is barely noticeable (if at all).
Plus, the cabbage may have health benefits like aiding digestion.
Along with supporting healthy digestion, cabbage is also rich in minerals, such as calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, and magnesium.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium green cabbage, sliced
- 1 large cucumber, quartered lengthwise
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 large red apple, cored and quartered
Instructions:
Wash and prepare all the vegetables and fruits. Juice each item in the order it’s listed. Strain the juice if you prefer less pulp. Chill or serve over ice (if desired), and enjoy!
5. Bloody Mary juice
This healthy, non-alcoholic take on a Bloody Mary could almost serve as a meal substitute because it’s so savory and filling!
Try swapping out different veggies like sweet potatoes, celery stalks, cucumber, and herbs of your choosing. For a little kick, try adding finely ground black pepper or a pinch of powdered cayenne pepper, too.
Ingredients:
- 4 small tomatoes
- 2 regular red bell peppers
- 1 regular yellow bell pepper
- 1 large carrot
- 1 regular zucchini
- 1 handful fresh herbs (oregano, basil, and parsley)
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 1 dash Himalayan sea salt
Instructions:
Wash and prepare all the vegetables. Make sure to chop all ingredients to fit through your juicer. Juice the produce in the order listed. Add salt, oil, and pepper (if using), stir, and enjoy!
