It’s almost time to make that New Year’s resolution. For many people, it is something similar to “new year, healthier me.” But, how do you know if you are making good choices? Start with the Nutrition Facts Label. Check out this one from Crush’d Garage’s Algae Bloom juice.
The first thing you’ll notice is that there are only 100 calories in the entire bottle which is 100% juice. There is nothing else added! These are also nutrient-packed calories which are essential for weight loss and weight maintenance efforts.
There’s little or no fat, cholesterol or sodium in this juice. Potassium, which is an important mineral in the body for many key functions, is plentiful in this juice. Potassium plays a role in building proteins, breaking down and using carbs, building muscle, controlling the electrical activity of the heart, and controlling the acid-base balance in the body.
Although some juices are very high in sugar, this one has only 6 grams. ( I tell my clients in my private practice, to keep sugars at 8 grams or less per serving). This certainly fits the bill. Some of the other delicious juices I’ve tasted from Crush’d Garage have higher grams of sugar per serving, but it’s due to the fact that they are fruit-based, not vegetable. Fruits are always higher in sugar than vegetables in their natural state. Also, because the skins are left on during the juicing process, the fiber in the Crush’d Garage juices helps to naturally counteract the body’s response to the sugar.
In addition to fiber, protein is key to staying fuller longer and feeling satisfied. These juices also have protein in each bottle. This one has 5 grams which is what I consider to be a good amount for a plant-based snack or drink. Other juice companies have much less protein in their juices and they have absolutely no fiber.
The last component to choosing a healthy food or drink is to look at the list of ingredients. As you can see, the ingredient list is short which is always a good thing. This is the indisputable “less is more” adage. You do not want a long list of ingredients in anything you put in your body. Chances are then more likely there will be additives, preservatives and all kinds of unnatural ingredients.
As a nutritionist with 22 years of experience behind me, I have seen the gamut of nutritional fads come and go. I am often asked to comment on them for media publications and so my opinions are well-documented. I have been asked countless times by clients in my private practice as well as editors for articles about my thoughts on juices. I have repeatedly said, “I don’t care for them since they offer limited, if any, nutritional benefit to the person who is consuming them.” That is, until now. I have finally found the juice that delivers both taste and nutrition to the consumer and is organic, non-GMO and comes from local produce. I am blown away!
These juices are from a company called Crush’d Garage and once you try them, you’ll never go back to any other juice. The first thing I noticed on the Nutrition Facts label is the short list of organic fruits and vegetables. That’s right, they don’t put stabilizers, preservatives or even juices into their juice. Believe it or not, some companies actually add those to their products and also add fruit juice to their own juice. It never made sense to me. Crush’d Garage uses only the actual fruits and vegetables so you truly are reaping the nutritional benefit.
What was even more impressive to me was that they have fiber in their juices. I have never seen that before, and it has been one of my biggest criticisms of the juice industry. Other companies get rid of the skin or peel of the fruit or vegetable and only use what’s on the inside. The problem is that by getting rid of the outside, you are throwing away important nutrients and a whole lot of fiber. Crush’d garage leaves the outside on during the juicing process. It’s brilliant! Now you really can drink your fruits and veggies!
The other really amazing aspect of these juices is that they contain protein, some of them as high as 8 grams a bottle. Considering that 2 or 3 grams per bottle is the norm for other juice companies, I was beyond thrilled to see a combination of fiber and protein all in one nutrient- packed bottle.
I am completely hooked! These juices are delicious, with something for everyone’s palate. They truly are all of nature’s goodness in a bottle. So, drink up and be healthy!