Cold-pressed juices have been around awhile, and it seems they are still generating some buzz in yoga classes and the local gym. Cold-pressed juices are made with a hydraulic press that uses intense pressure to squeeze the juices out of that celery stalk, carrot, or apple slice. Having only a shelf life of about 4 days for the best nutrients (and safety before microbes begin to spoil it), true cold-pressed juices should be enjoyed soon after being made. Cold-pressed juices in the grocery store go through high pressure processing which extends the shelf life for another month (or more).

If you have a picky-eater in your life, it may make sense to introduce them to juicing. Fruits and veggies turned into a cold-pressed juice offers a lot of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants the body needs while tasting great. It’s truly a fast, easy way to include more fruits and vegetables into your diet. So, if you are debating whether to grab for a diet soda or a cold-pressed juice, it’s a no-brainer: juicing offers a much better option for your overall health.

Juicing alone, however, does not incorporate enough of the nutrients that our body needs to be healthy. Calories from juicing can also quickly add up and it does not offer us that “filled up feeling” we need by consuming healthy foods too. Are you still hungry after 12 ounces of juice? You may end up eating even more, even though you’ve just consumed juice (and calories) from two apples, 3 stalks of celery, and 5 carrots!

Cold-pressed juices simply offer another alternative to consuming our fruits and vegetables when our busy schedules make a balanced diet difficult. Many juice recipes are available online along with the most popular home juicers on the market today. Living a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard when there are options available, and enjoying a cold-pressed juice may be just what the doctor ordered!