Whole Fruits in smoothies??

[thehat]

I have been making mostly green smoothies for breakfast. I start with two organic navel oranges. I peel one and the other I cut off the seed pouch and then toss in the Vita Mix, This is followed by chard, kale, leftover collar green veins, and more.

Anyway, is it bad to eat the whole orange? I have been doing this for a weeek and haven't had any negative effets yet.

What about whole apples, including the seeds? Are they edible.

Anything else that can be processed whole?

Thanks.

[Raw Faith]

Skins on citrus fruit are good for you.

[Shivananda]

>>I have been making mostly green smoothies for breakfast. I start with two organic navel oranges. I peel one and the other I cut off the seed pouch and then toss in the Vita Mix, This is followed by chard, kale, leftover collar green veins, and more.

First, my suggestion is to use Valencias for juicing rather than navels. With navels you are paying a big price premium (because of the thick skin) for the convenience of easy peeling, which you aren't taking advantage of. Valencias, with their thin skin are the primary ones juice bars use (and juice companies too, for that matter)

>>Anyway, is it bad to eat the whole orange? I have been doing this for a weeek and haven't had any negative effets yet.

Well, the white pith between the peel and orange is bitter, and the oil in the peel can upset your stomach in large quantities. But both are good for you in small amounts. That's why juice bars usually slice off the peels with a knife before putting them into a Ruby Juicer or blender, but aren't fanatic about it.

>>What about whole apples, including the seeds? Are they edible.

Remove stems (in everything) and avoid eating a lot of apple seeds. In quantity they can be toxic, so don't leave them in the finished juice, but the small amount that gets into a blended juice is usually good for you.

>>Anything else that can be processed whole?

Carrots, obviously, but trim off any green part. And chunk them up a bit before putting in the jar.

Tomatoes, cucumbers (but I peel them first) green peppers with the seed core removed, celery with the strings removed, beets and parsnips, what have you....

[Revvell]

Personally, if my cukes are organic and/or not waxed, I don't peel them. For carrots, I throw the greens in as well. Celery is cut into 1 inch pieces so the fiber is included. I do eliminate the seeds and stems from the apples. There's a "seed pouch" in navels? Hmmm. Not familiar with that.

Revvell

[Shivananda]

For carrots, I throw the greens in as well.
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There's a "seed pouch" in navels? Hmmm. Not familiar with that.


Sorry, I wasn't clear. Carrot greens are fine to juice, but if the top of the CARROT has turned green, that part is bitter and toxic and should be discarded. (It's the same chemical change that makes potatoes toxic when the skins turn green, and is related to the plant's defense mechanism against insects and nematodes.)

As to what she called the "seed pouch," I understood she was referring to the navel.

[JennaBoBenna]

What about whole apples, including the seeds? Are they edible.


Have you ever put apple in your smoothies? I did it once and hated the texture it had. I'm sure you could use the whole apple, though. The seeds are edible, the apple tree "wants" you to eat them :D

[Shivananda]

The seeds are edible, the apple tree "wants" you to eat them :D
Yes, but that only actually works for the tree if you eat the seeds whole and then... ummmm.... well.... drop them where they might grow into new trees. Because they WILL pass through you totally undigested. :D

When they go through a juicer, however, the seeds get nicked and cut and will no longer be viable as seeds. The little bit of "essence" of apple seed that thus makes it into your drink is a powerful anti-cancer agent, but too much of it at any one time will make you sick. That's why you shouldn't leave them sit in a juice for long.

Blended fruit juice? Sorry, I can't stand it. I juice first, then blend.

[JennaBoBenna]

When they go through a juicer, however, the seeds get nicked and cut and will no longer be viable as seeds. The little bit of "essence" of apple seed that thus makes it into your drink is a powerful anti-cancer agent, but too much of it at any one time will make you sick. That's why you shouldn't leave them sit in a juice for long.

Blended fruit juice? Sorry, I can't stand it. I juice first, then blend.


I didn't know that about apple seeds, thanks! :)

[rawfigure]

I eat the fruit whole, and juice the greens. I like the crunch in my diet and have never been a fruit juice smoothie fan. I will make an exception for raw ice cream though. ;)

[Revvell]

Carrot greens are fine to juice, but if the top of the CARROT has turned green, that part is bitter and toxic and should be discarded. (It's the same chemical change that makes potatoes toxic when the skins turn green, and is related to the plant's defense mechanism against insects and nematodes.)

Guess I should be dead by now then. Been eating carrots including the green rim for ... ohhhh, over 50 years and have not found that to be accurate. The bitter part, yeah; the toxic part ~ nupe!!! I'm still here!!!!

Revvell