Do you have a favorite juice combo or healthy snack? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Looking for a great way to jumpstart your day or an alternative to your typical sandwich for lunch? Why not head to a juice bar near you for a fresh-pressed juice combo, or a sweet and frothy fruit and veggie blended smoothie. According to healthine.com, fresh juices are packed with concentrated and easily absorbable vitamins and nutrients. You’ll also get a good punch of vitamins and nutrients in a blended smoothie drink, but the blending can make those nutrients less bioavailable. Although you’ll lose some nutrients, healthline.com also reports, with a smoothie you’ll benefit from fiber from the pulp, which is lost with juicing. Fiber is important for good digestion and keeps you full longer helping blood sugar levels.
Consider your dietary needs when ordering
You can sweeten your juice or smoothie combo with antioxidant-rich beets (they may support healthy blood pressure), berries or apple. Smoothie drinkers can try boosting the nutrient factor of their drink by adding sea moss. Sea moss is a red alga (some algae are edible) that may be a low-calorie way to add nutrients to your diet, according to Dr. Melinda Ring, executive director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University, told The New York Times.
Order carefully and get your health care provider’s advice. Juices may not be a good choice if you are watching your blood glucose levels. Smoothies might contain too much sugar and carbs if the person who is preparing your order adds honey or agave. Adding too much fruit will also spike glucose. Using sweetened plant-based milks or yogurts, or adding oats, or some protein powders add calories and sugars. Same goes for high calorie and fat smoothie add-ons such as nut butters and avocado.
Black-owned Juice Bars and Cafes
The Squeeze Juice Bar, North Miami Beach, FL
Owner: 30-year-old Warren Amar, a Paris-born, and Miami-raised entrepreneur.
Concept: A small quick service, take out restaurant
Specialties: Fresh made juices, smoothies, salads and healthy snacks
Website: squeeze305.com
IG: @TheSqueeze305
Smoothie Express, Miramar, FL
Owners: Lisa and Jermaine Smith own this family run business.
Concept: Take out or eat in, quick and casual cafe.
Specialties: Made to order fruit smoothies, raw pressed juices, boba tea, bowls, sandwiches, salads. Vegan and dairy-free options
Website: SmoothieExpressMiami.com
IG: @SmoothieExpressMiamiShores
Wadada Healthy Market & Juice Bar, Atlanta, Ga.
Owner: Jeanette "Nilajah" Sellers
Concept: Vegan market and cafe
Specialties: Freshly made juices, smoothies, and vegan hot food as well as groceries, teas, herbs, candles, bath products, supplements and more.
Website: wadadaatl.com
IG: @wadada_atl
Get Fruity Cafe, College Park, Ga.
Owner: Fred Fox owns and operates two locations in College Park
Style: Quick and casual pick up, eat in or take out cafe.
Specialties: Fresh made smoothies (dairy and non-dairy), gourmet wraps and salads. Known for their fresh fruit salads. Also serves patties.
Website: mygetfruity.com
IG: @getfruitycafe
Juice Heads, Buckhead area, Atlanta, Ga.
Owners: Former body builders James and Larissa Cato
Concept: Counter-style take out restaurant with a chic lounge vibe.
Specialties: All organic freshly made juices, smoothies and plant-based dishes like avocado toast, chili, burgers and açaí bowls.
Website: juiceheadsatl.com
IG: @juiceheadsatl
Vegan Flava Cafe, Chapel Hill, NC, at Blue Dogwood Market
Owners: Husband and wife team, Yah-I Ausar Tafari Amen and Ma’at em Maakheru Amen
Concept: Casual restaurant
Specialties: Vegan, live and raw foods, GMO- soy- and wheat-free organic dishes, made to order smoothies and wraps.
IG: @veganflavacafe_catering
M.A.D. Moss, Silver Spring, MD
Owner: Holistic Health and Wellness Coach Marcileno Brown
Concept: Small specialty store
Specialties: Pre-packaged organic cold pressed juices with freshly prepared sea moss, and flavored sea moss.
Website: madmoss.com
IG: @m.a.dmoss
Bani’s Beets, Chicago, IL
Owner: Auriel Banister, a community health advocate, is working to help ‘beet’ cancer and diabetes in the Black community through juicing.
Concept: Stylish juice bar and take out cafe
Specialties: Bottled grab-and-go juice combinations bottled fresh daily, as well as smoothies, salads, smoothie bowls, oatmeal and avocado toast.
Website: banisbeets.com
IG: @banisbeets
JuiceBae, Culver City and Downtown, Los Angeles, Calif.
Owner: Racquel Frazier. After juicing helped her resolve her health issues, Racquel wanted to bring the lifestyle to others.
Concept: Take out. Very limited seating.
Specialties: Packaged cold pressed exotic juices blends, meal replacement smoothies and hot and cold vegan meals pre-prepared daily.
Website: Juicebae.la
IG @juicebae.la
Simply Wholesome, View Park/Winsdor Hills, Calif
Owner: Percell Keeling, an avid runner and health food advocate saw a need for healthy options in his community
Concept: Health food store and health-focused casual restaurant.
Specialties: A wide variety of hot and cold healthy dishes, including vegan and vegetarian options, and more the 50 types of smoothies
Website: simplywholesomec.com
IG: @Simplywholesome
Fresh Rootz, Detroit, MidTown
Owners: Health and wellness enthusiasts and Co-owners Fatima Tekko, DeAndre Woodson and Norman Siddique
Concept: A raw juice and vegan cafe bringing healthy food alternatives to Wayne State University students and the surrounding community. The venue also serves as a meeting and study space.
Specialties: Fresh raw juice, smoothies, energizer drinks, raw tea, immunity & healthy shots, mushroom coffees, vegan food, and more
Website: freshrootzjuice.com
IG: @freshrootzdet
Juices for Life, The Bronx, NY (with another location in Yonkers)
Owners: Rapper Styles P, who opened a juice bar after turning to a vegan lifestyle for health reasons. His co-owners are radio personality Angela Yee and fellow rapper Jadakiss.
Concept: Small take-out spot with very limited seating
Specialties: Focusing on freshly made juice, protein and sea moss shakes. Wheatgrass, ginger, and vitamin shots available.
Website: juicesforlifeny.com
IG: @juicesforlife
Food For Negus, Brooklyn, NY
Owner: Shinela Cordis opened the business after adopting a vegan diet to aid in healing her body after a car accident
Concept: Market/restaurant that carries freshly made bottled juices, herbs and exotic seeded fruit. It also offers vegan cold and hot dishes.
Website: FoodforNegus.com
IG: @FoodforNegus
Do you have a favorite juice combo or healthy snack? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
