The Benefits of Juicing With IBD

As I've gotten older, I've become more health-conscious. Don't get me wrong. I was always interested in cutting out trigger foods and averting environmental toxins.

The difference is I've tried to upgrade my health focus. If I was on Mac OS X Yosemite, I'm now on Mac OS 12 Monterey. That’s right. Just like a computer gains enhanced capability with a new operating system, so can the human body.

Juicing with Crohn's or colitis

A big part of my new healing protocol is juicing on a daily basis. While I juiced in the past with a cheap blender, it never had many benefits. I'd also occasionally go to Jamba Juice or buy a premade smoothie. Again, it didn’t really help.

I believe part of the reason is I wasn't using fresh organic produce. Another part is to get the maximum nutritional benefit you have to drink a juice you just made, hence, something like a Naked Juice is not equivalent. Additionally, when using a blender and digesting large quantities of pulp, I was aggravating my sensitive digestive tract.

All of this changed when I bought a terrific, slow-masticating juicer, Omega Juicer J8006HDS. I highly recommend this product as it is quick to assemble, efficient, and all the parts are dishwasher safe. Further, this juicer extracts all pulp, leaving you with a dense, nutrient-rich beverage that tastes great.

I noticed many Crohn's sufferers do not juice. This makes sense. Provided they are juicing with a blender that does not remove fiber, juicing can exacerbate symptoms. If they have strictures too much roughage might even lead to a blockage.

Using a slow-masticating juicer for easier digestion

Using a slow-masticating juicer that removes all pulp is different, though. In terms of its effect on my digestive system, the final product is in no way bulky or difficult to digest. Additionally, the vitamins and nutrients in freshly-made juice are numerous. Finally, it enables me to add a wider variety of fruits and vegetables to my diet, which is very beneficial for overall wellness.

I start every morning with a glass of lemon and celery juice and frequently throw in other fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, lime, grapefruit, orange, carrot, and garlic or ginger. Once or twice a week I make a separate fruit-based juice in the evening, often with things such as blueberries, orange, apple, lime, and pear.

One downside of juicing is that it is time-consuming – washing the vegetables to remove dirt and pesticides, cutting it to fit into the juicer, then washing the juicer and reassembling the parts all takes time. Still, as you make it a regular habit, it all becomes a happy part of your routine (at least it did for me!).

Healthy habits with Crohn's and UC

There are many dietary temptations out there that are unhealthy: cakes, cookies, sodas, chips, burgers, and pizza. I'm not saying never indulge in these offerings. All I'm suggesting is sticking to a regular pattern of juicing can have tremendous health benefits. In many cases, juicing can increase bodily energy, improve digestion, and help you absorb vital nutrients and minerals you might not obtain otherwise.

Do you juice? If not, would you consider it? Thanks for reading. I look forward to your comments below.