Junior Lori Stark started juicing her foods during the summer in an attempt to lose weight.

“I didn’t think exercising was the only thing that was going to help me lose weight,” Stark said.

Because juicing worked for her mother, Stark felt that she could try it too.

“I juiced for a whole month, and I noticed that I was losing weight in no time!” Stark said. “I had lost 15 pounds in one month.”

Stark continued juicing even after losing weight because her mother informed her that it could help her liver by getting rid of all the junk food she eats, while also giving her more protein which would help her exercise.

“My mom told me that juicing helps my body get healthier because of all the fruit we put in it, Stark said. “It gives me a lot of vitamins that I need.”

According to Stark, she prefers juicing not only due to the health benefits she gets, but also for the cheap cost.

“I prefer to make it at home, because it’s easier to make and less expensive,” Stark said.

Her favorite ingredients are almond milk, Greek yogurt, and a lot of fruit. According to Stark, the most important part about juicing her food is that it gives her more energy to keep exercising.

“I suggest juicing foods for those who want to lose weight,” Stark said. “It helped not only my mom, but me too. It should help others.”

Juicing Pros:

• It’s easier to drink juice than eat (and taste) a lot of veggies. Americans eat less than a fifth of the vegetables and fruit they’re supposed to be eating: five servings of vegetables and three fruits.
• Studies show people who drank juices were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, cancer or heart disease.

Juicing Cons:

• Raw food can contain pathogens that cause discomfort, including vomiting and diarrhea, and serious conditions like hepatitis and kidney failure.
• Without the fiber from the fruit and vegetables, the body takes in fructose sugar from fruit juice easier which can make blood sugar levels spike.
• Some health professionals believe that if the body isn’t taking in the fruit and vegetable fiber, it is not getting the full nutritional value.

Juicing pros and cons from Food Republic: http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/05/04/pros-and-cons-juicing