Cheating greens with wheatgrass

[modernmonkey]

If I have a wheatgrass shot everyday can I justify not eating my greens? Discuss.

[EZ rider]

I usually have a "double shot" (2 oz) of WG juice at a juice bar in my neighborhood for breakfast. The rest of the day I eat fruit meals. The WG provides things my body needs so that I can avoid the cravings I get when I don't include greens in my diet. When I first started drinking the WG juice I had to chase it down with some orange juice because I didn't care for the taste all that much but gradually over time I came to appreciate the WG taste as a sweet and unique taste and I don't feel the need to chase it with anything any more. On days that I don't stop at the juice bar I try to eat some other greens like celery and that also works OK for quieting the cravings.

[snoops]

I eat probably 6-8 cups of greens a day. Can a small shot of wheat grass possible equal that?? I would not necessarily eat less greens but if wheat grass is so awesome I would consider adding it.

I've never tried wheat grass but would be interested to hear any other opinions. So bumping!!!

[snoops]

Been looking for info - found this...but its only Wiki so don't know how accurate...

Wheatgrass vs. common vegetables

Wheatgrass proponent Schnabel claimed in the 1940s that "fifteen pounds of wheatgrass is equal in overall nutritional value to 350 pounds of ordinary garden vegetables",[2] a ratio of 1:23.[13] Despite claims of vitamin and mineral content disproportional to other vegetables, the nutrient content of wheatgrass juice is roughly equivalent to that of common vegetables (see table 1).

Wheatgrass is also thought to be superior to other vegetables in its content of Vitamin B12, a vital nutrient. Contrary to popular belief, B12 is not contained within wheat grass or any vegetable, rather it is a byproduct of the microorganisms living on plants.[14] If plants are washed prior to consumption the water soluble B12 will be removed making most plants unreliable sources of B12.[15]
[edit] Detoxification

Another common claim for wheatgrass is that it promotes detoxification. The limited data in support of that claim applies to most green vegetables.[16]

[Mrs. Papaya]

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. I don't care how powerful wheatgrass is supposed to be; I want a variety of greens and a lot of them in my diet. Of course, you can do what you want...fruitarians don't eat any greens, after all. (Honestly I don't get that, but that's just me.)

I usually have a large green juice (spinach/chard/kale) every day, but I don't consider that enough alone. I like to juice to get the concentrated nutrients, but I also eat large green salads (romaine/red leaf/green leaf/bib) to get all the fiber. I think that's really important.

Personally, if I go a day without having a nice big salad, I feel a little uneasy.

Again, you have to do what's right for you -- but this sounds like the kind of shortcut that might not be the absolute best for your health.

[Stina]

Do it for three months and report back!

Seriously, maybe your intuition is onto something. Some intestines need a break from the harder fiber of greens and will heal with the softness of fruit.

[Dirkg]

You could also just take a green supplement if you feel that you don't get enough?

[modernmonkey]

Thanks for your contributions. I currently intentionally make sure I get a large portion of green veg every day. I don't always enjoy it but sometimes I do. Whilst I don't think I will simply replace them with wheatgrass, I do think I can allow it to take the pressure off on those days when I just don't feel like eating greens. And I will report back after 3 months!

[sport]

You can go for periods without any greens at all if that is what your body wants. After a while you will crave them and then they will be easy to take.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

If I have a wheatgrass shot everyday can I justify not eating my greens? Discuss.

You will get great increased vitamin and enzyme levels, but how about mineral levels and other important things. Remember that a wheatgrass shot is only a small handfull of wheat berries...it's not going to give you large quantities of the needed minerals.

Wheatgrass shots are just a small tonic, nothing else.

[Emiliana]

A different wheat grass question--if I just toss some in the blender with a green smoothie, would I get the same nutritional benefits?

It seems like a real pain to juice.