Is Juice Healthy?

I recently read an article that suggested that people should drink 100% fruit juice as an alternative to soda pop. I have also read articles that have said that juice isn’t all that good for you. Who should I believe?

I start my research on the matter by looking up the nutrition information for one of my favorite “healthy” restaurants to visit—Jamba Juice. Turns out the Razzmatazz, my personal favorite, has lots of healthy fruit. It also contains 480 calories! That’s a huge chunk of my daily calories. Yet, after I drink it, I usually don’t feel like I’ve had a full meal.

In addition to the calories, the Razzmatazz contains 112 grams of carbohydrates. That is about one half of my recommended daily allowance, somewhat squandered in liquid form.

I open my refrigerator and find a container of apple juice. One cup contains 120 calories and 28 grams of carbs. Biting into an apple, on the other hand, will cost me 60 calories and 17 grams of carbs. Add to that the fact that an apple actually contains more nutrients and fiber than the juice, and when I’m done with the apple, I have the satisfaction of having eaten something.

I think I can figure out for myself whether juice is good for me or not. If it adds more calories and carbs than I should have, then it will sabotage my health. And if I want to run down to Jamba Juice, it will be a treat that I will enjoy. Hey, it’s better than chocolate mousse cake! But you can be sure that it’s not on my daily list of healthy foods. I don’t need an expert nutrition doctor to tell me that.