The Big Squeeze: To Juice Or Blend?

There's really nothing like starting your day with a homemade smoothie or a freshly squeezed juice. Show me a strawberry-banana blend, and I'll show you an ultra productive morning.

Smoothies and juices cram in upwards of five servings of fruits and veggies into a single nutrient-rich glass, but when it comes to their preparation, some methods are indeed better than others. Squeeze the most out of your next wholesome brew with these quick tips from Zeel nutrition experts.

Convenience is key. Buy a blender or juicer that's easy to clean, otherwise it may just end up sitting on the counter collecting dust and dirty looks. The simpler your nifty device is to handle, the more you'll be tempted to use it.

Go green. Once you get past the muddy color, green drinks are actually absolutely delicious. Mix in a combination of verdant fruits and veggies, such as spinach, green peppers, kale, chard, beet greens, lime, kiwi, apples, and figs. Garnish with chopped mint or basil and enjoy.

Brighter is better. When shopping for your ingredients, choose fruits and vegetables that are brighter in color. The more intense the hue, the higher their antioxidant content, explains Shari Portnoy, a registered dietitian and Zeel Expert who's frequently featured in the media.

Add in yogurt. When using a blender, toss a dollop of no- or low-fat yogurt into the mix. Yogurt is loaded with calcium and is a proven weight-loss ally. Most also contain healthy probiotics, the "friendly" bacteria that facilitates digestion.

Blend, blend baby. Both juicing and blending are great ways to consume extra nutrients throughout the day, but if you're someone who needs extra fiber, you may benefit from the latter. When juicing, explains Zeel Expert and RD Lisa Moskovitz, you end up neglecting fiber — one of the best parts of fresh, whole fruit. Fiber, a zero-calorie non-digestible carbohydrate, has been linked to health and longevity, and helps with weight management and disease prevention.

— StacyAtZeel, Zeel