Fibromyalgia nutrition is enhanced by both Juicing and Blending; but, the two are different and both serve their individual purpose in assimilation of essential nutrients; juicing merely facilitates fibromyalgia nutrition more quickly into cells, and is great for healing when people are very nutrient deficient.
Also, there are some nutritious substances that are not always tolerated through blending or eating raw, yet can be more easily tolerated when juiced instead.
I recommend BOTH juicing and blending and use the ‘Original Plantfusion‘ protein to create low glycemic, allergen free blender drinks with various ingredients (as shown in the second half of this page)
That said, blending and/or juicing do not need to be done every day to be effective and for some people that is not feasible. Although, as we become more efficient, we will want to make this a daily practice which is a lifestyle that supports our well-being and energy levels.
Consider the following suggestions and make juicing / blending part of your weekly schedule.
Juicing For Fibromyalgia Nutrition
As an avid juicer for over 25 years now, I still sing the praises of “heal-thy” juices made at home.
If you don’t have or cannot afford a juicer at this time and you want/need to be juicing, make it a priority.
Juicing for fibromyalgia is the optimal way to get raw, live nutrients, minerals and enzymes into the body and bloodstream. This is the BEST infusion for fibromyalgia nutrition we can give ourselves.
Focus on organic vegetables and greens when juicing. Fruit is not the best option, especially with hypoglycemia or any blood sugar issues.
An exception to the rule is green apple which mixes well with vegetables and is low glycemic. I share some very good vegetable juice recipes so you won’t miss the fruit. Some are so good, you would think there is fruit of some kind in there!!
Now, because some greens contain goitrogens or oxalates, it is good to go slow if you have any endocrine imbalance or kidney issues. Yet, please understand that there is a lot of mis-information out there and juicing organic vegetables is still one of the best things we can do for a healthy body and fibromyalgia nutrition. This is especially true considering the world we live in and the toxins we are exposed to every day.
Cilantro and parsley are great chelators for heavy metal accumulation in the body; however, parsley should be taken in small amounts as it is high in oxalates. Use organic vegetables when possible; however, if using conventional, at least wash with vinegar and baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. Using a large bowl in the sink is helpful.
You may not be able to juice every day and for some that is not practical. Just incorporate juicing for fibromyalgia nutrition into your weekly schedule.
To create better assimilation of nutrients, I always chew some of whatever I am juicing while making the juice. For example, set aside some greens, pieces of carrot, fennel ,etc. and chew well to activate digestion; just a small amount is fine. Taking in juice needs to be done slowly as well, even ‘chewing’ the juice to further activate digestive fire and assimilate fibromyalgia nutrition. Avoid drinking juice too fast.
In addition, having a small amount of raw fat (a teaspoon is fine) such as olive oil, coconut oil, flax oil or avocado before OR with your juice will help to better assimilate juice nutrients.
Juicing for fibromyalgia nutrition can be done anytime, however, ‘fasting with juice’ is another idea only for those who are practiced in juicing. Juice fasting is good starting in small increments. We don’t want to set ourselves up to fail by trying to juice fast for too long at one time. Start with 4 hours, then 8 hours, then a full day or weekend. And also eat raw foods during that time if needed, to avoid detoxing too fast or losing resolve or motivation.
NOTE: JUICE FASTING FOR PERIODS OF TIME MAY NEED TO BE DONE UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR EVERYONE.
Watermelon juice by itself is a great kidney/bladder cleanser, yet only when taken alone and candida symptoms are not present. (Juice the seeds as well for greater cleansing action)
Remember that the very best way for ongoing detox is through daily lifestyle. A juice fast or other means of cleansing can fall short if we have not created a lifestyle to support our efforts. Eliminating food allergens, reducing stress and residing in a nontoxic environment are all essential.
Get juicing for fibromyalgia nutrition today; just be sure to make it count.
My favorite juicer is shown under Fibro kitchen tools. The Omega stainless steel juices everything well, has a 10 yr. warranty, and is an excellent choice in juicers. However, there are a few other good ones which are lower cost and which I also show on the Fibro Kitchen Tools page.
My Favorite Ingredients/Juicing For Fibromyalgia Nutrition
My favorite organic juice combination: lacinato kale, celery, carrot, green apple, ginger root. The chlorophyll, minerals, calcium, and ginger root are great for healing inflammation in the body and so essential for fibromyalgia nutrition.
A basic combination of juice ingredients looks like this:
25% greens
25% celery
25 % carrot
25% green apple, ginger root, garlic, parsley …
5 from 1 reviews
Cleansing with chlorophyll juice :
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Ingredients
2 cucumbers (always have a neutral base), 4 ribs of celery, 2 leaves lacinato kale OR 1 cup spinach.
1 small handful of wheatgrass, a few
sprigs of cilantro, 1 green apple, ½ inch pc. ginger root.
Instructions
Prepare all the ingredients.
Juice them.
Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Use organic when possible.
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Got Fennel?
Yes, fennel is an excellent addition for better digestion.
It’s a great digestive herb. I make a tea from bulk herbs with extra fennel and have this during my travels.
It supports digestion, relieves that gassy feeling you can get especially while traveling and has a pleasant taste. Mix with anise, rosemary, etc…any other herbs for your specific needs.
The plant can also be juiced, and is an excellent addition to any vegetable juice. Look for it next time you are at the market.
Juicing For Fibromyalgia Nutrition With Celery
While on the subject of juicing, organic celery is an essential addition to vegetable juices. Celery helps to remove excess androgens from the body as well as giving a great supply of minerals.
I was at a juice bar many years ago while traveling and the lady in front of me said ” no celery, it’s too high in sodium” regarding her juice selection. She had no clue that celery may have been exactly what she needed to balance hormones and help the body to RELEASE excess water and toxins.
My juice today: All organic celery, spinach, romaine hearts, carrot, green apple and ginger root. Lacinato kale is another favorite of mine.
Got Granny’s ?
Excellent fruit choice. High in malic acid and lower glycemic than other fruit making them great for us.
They are also better combined than any other fruit, when making vegetable juice for example.
Generally use 1-2 green apples per 16 oz. of vegetable combination juice.
Choose organic when possible.
Juicing Bile Mover
Raw vegetable juices made at home are essential to healing, detoxing, and getting life-giving fibromyalgia nutrition into the cells. Bile movers such as beets are great for the liver/gallbladder because when the liver and bile ducts are congested, this can cause pain in the body.
50% celery/carrots
25% apple
25% beet
(When juicing beets for the first time, I recommend using less than 25% and working up to tolerance. Again, beets are great for moving and cleaning bile ducts, yet we want to go slow to avoid intolerance or GI symptoms)
5 from 1 reviews
A cleansing neutral juice recipe without fruit sugars.
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Author: Drew Canole
Ingredients
8-10 ribs of celery.
3 medium carrots.
1 medium or two small cucumbers.
1 clove garlic.
1 inch piece ginger root.
Juice of 1 lime.
1 tsp. Unrefined Apple Cider Vinegar.
Optional: A few strands of cilantro for heavy metal detoxing.
Instructions
Juice and enjoy anytime of day.
Notes
Please use organic when possible.
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Fibromyalgia Nutrition Thru Blending
I like to have blended foods almost daily, I use the Original Plantfusion for safe protein that I often talk about. (See my Fibromyalgia Supplements page for a discussion.)
I mix in low glycemic fruit such as green apple, flax meal, greens for cleansing chlorophyll, etc. When blending, always start with less liquid or water, then add more after blending, to avoid it becoming frothy which can affect digestion.
Be sure to get enough protein if going vegetarian, as protein is so very essential to fibromyalgia nutrition and to the healing of one’s body. Just be sure to follow the essential guidelines on the Nutrition Tips page for the best time to ingest protein as well as the optimal time for ‘rest inducing’ whole food carbohydrates.
Blending foods/drinks for optimal digestion
There is a time and place for both juicing and blending.
Above, I give many suggestions for juicing and how to make it more beneficial.
For this article, let’s focus on blended foods and the best combinations for both synergy and health. I eat a blender drink most days; it’s a great choice for fibromyalgia nutrition.
Blending foods and drinks for your fibromyalgia nutrition is the optimal way to start the process of nutrient breakdown and absorption. It can take time to experiment and find what works best, what is both healthy and palatable, and how to make blending more time efficient.
If it becomes a hassle, or we dislike the taste, then we won’t be consistent.
Also remember that like with anything, the more we do it, the better we become at making it work for us, so keep working at it..
What follows are just a few of my tips for better blender drinks.
1. Always use variety and continue to try new ingredients. This will keep it fun and interesting. I have personally gotten into ‘blending ruts’ before where I had to change things up and expand my fruit and vegetable variety. This also renews our motivation.
2. When blending, always start with a smaller amount of liquid to avoid the ‘frothy’ effect and add more liquid AFTER blending.
(The frothiness can occur when too much liquid is used initially and can affect optimal digestion)
3. Always blend protein powders with enough ‘bulk’ items and fiber such as seed meal. This will create a smoother texture and better palatability. (If you’ve been to any gym, you often see people toting a shaker bottle with protein powder and water only. This might be fine for some people, but I have found that people with sensitive GI tracts really need some bulk in their blended drinks). By bulk, I mean enough fruit and vegetable matter to blend well.
Please note that some people with IBS or digestive inflammation may need to focus MORE on vegetable juicing instead of blending until there is no inflammation present.
Also be aware of using excess fruit. Vegetables, greens, spinach are excellent additions and should be used in greater amounts to avoid blood sugar spikes. A small amount of fruit goes a long way. Generally, ½-1 cup of fruit is adequate.
(One of my tricks is to add about ½ cup frozen green beans to my protein blender drinks. This is a great low calorie addition without lending any vegetable taste; the taste is very neutral and you won’t know they are there!!).
(Note: See my Nutrition Tips page for my favorite allergen free protein powder and other meal suggestions)
4. Adding just a scant amount (a tsp.) of coconut flour is another way to bulken the drinks due to the high fiber content in coconut flour. Other fiber additions include seed meal of any kind including pumpkin, chia, flax or hemp seed.
The fiber additions make for a more evenly blended drink and smoother texture.
5. If starting with ingredients that are not frozen, it helps to add ½-1 cup crushed ice or cubes. I have sometimes forgotten this when using no frozen ingredients, and find that it really affects the taste and enjoyment. Keep it a little cool and refreshing!
6. Using enough healthy raw fat also gives a better texture. Using half an avocado per drink is adequate and will lend a smoother consistency. Soaked almonds or walnuts also work great and create a nice taste.
“Heal-thy”, raw (unheated) fats are essential for the entire fibro body. They create energy, balance blood sugar and are essential for brain health. The BEST way to start the day, and the best way to fibromyalgia nutrition.
(The avocado pit may also be blended but ONLY WITH A VITAMIX OR ABLENDTEC . A regular blender cannot sufficiently break down the avocado pit and will damage your blender. However, if you do have a Vitamix or Blendtec, know that the avocado pit is an excellent form of soluble fiber, vitamin C and is good for the entire GI tract.)
7. It’s important that we adjust our palate when creating blender drinks. We want to focus on low glycemic ingredients. Over time, our taste and craving will adjust, and we will start to prefer less of a sweet taste. Even excessive use of stevia, zylitol or other more natural low calorie sweeteners can keep us ‘needing’ that sweet taste. These are also best used in moderation .
I prefer to take mine with a spoon and glass. I’ve done this for years and it creates a more satisfying ‘meal’ this way.8. How do you take YOUR blender drink?
Be careful if using a straw which can cause gas or bloating if too much air is taken in.
9. Which blender is best? I prefer a high powered blender that will blend anything well. Also with a little more investment up front, we can get an extended warranty. Some brands give warranties up to 7-10 years.
This gives us reassurance and greater commitment to our healthy lifestyle as well.
If your inexpensive juicer or blender breaks down after just a couple years, you may not be invested in buying a new one. Vitamix and Blendtec are my two favorite quality blenders. (See Fibro Kitchen Tools)
That said, any blender is better than no blender.
10. See below for more options when using fruit in a blender drink.
Get blending today. It’s a smart investment for your healthier fibro body and lifestyle.
5 from 1 reviews
Cherry, Beet and Goji, oh my !! (Triple Red Antioxidant power)
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Author: Drew Canole
Ingredients
½ serving Original Plantfusion Protein Powder
(unflavored or vanilla bean)
OR use your favorite non-allergen protein
12-15 tart red cherries (organic and frozen if possible)
¼ raw beet
1 oz, pure goji extract (Genesis Today is best)
10 blanched raw almonds
1 Tbsp. seed meal (flax, chia, pumpkin, etc.)
2 ribs organic celery
½ cup ice
Just enough water to cover ingredients in blender.
Instructions
Blend in high powered blender and enjoy your antioxidant ‘reds’ drink..
Notes
Add more water after blending if needed.
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Don’t throw away that pineapple core.
It’s a great addition to any blender protein drink, and is full of bromelain for anti-inflammatory factors.
I vary the ingredients in my morning blender drink to keep it interesting. My additions often include the pineapple core (also lower in sugars than the outer part) a handful of greens, seed meal, Genesis Today probiotic greens, water, ice and of course Original Plantfusion protein. All great fibromyalgia nutrition!
Allergen free and energy full!
What are you blending today?
5 from 1 reviews
Watermelon Seed Smoothie..
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Author: Drew Canole
Ingredients
2 cups watermelon with white inner rind and seeds (organic if possible).
• 4 ribs organic celery
• 3-4 ice cubes
• Squeeze of lime
Instructions
Mix in vitamix or high power blender about 30 seconds or until blended well.
Notes
It is best to avoid eating watermelon after meals or mixing with starch or proteins. That is not good food combining and will cause other food to ferment in the GI tract.
Be sure to include the seeds, which are an excellent kidney cleanser. Don’t worry, they blend well and give the drink a good texture.
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5 from 1 reviews
Chocolate Covered Banana
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Author: Drew Canole
Ingredients
½ serving Original Plantfusion protein powder
(Unflavored or vanilla bean)
1 organic banana
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
12-15 raw almonds (first, soak in water overnight and slip off jackets)
2 tsp. hemp seed
5-10 drops liquid stevia or 1 packet xylitol
½ cup ice
Add enough purified water to cover ingredients..
Instructions
Blend.. Drink…Smile!
Notes
Kids and adults alike love the taste of chocolate covered banana, and combined with the healthy protein source of Plantfusion, it makes a great low glycemic, higher protein drink to keep the body in balance.
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5 from 1 reviews
Cran-Berry Good
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Author: Drew Canole
Ingredients
- ¼ cup frozen organic plain unsweetened cranberries
- ½ banana
- ½ avocado (also include pit only when using a vitamix or blendtec)
- 2 ribs of organic celery, cut and peeled if needed
- 4-5 dark cherries (optional)
- 1 tsp. ground seed meal of choice
- ¼ cup water
- ½-1 serving of ‘Original’ Plantfusion OR Sun Warrior ‘Raw Natural’
Instructions
Blend all ingredients. Enjoy your smoothie!
Notes
Always remember to add LESS water before blending to avoid the ‘frothy’ effect, and then add more liquid AFTER blending if needed.
(Using half cranberry juice also lends a great taste here)
One serving ..Allergen and Sugar Free….low glycemic and high protein
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Make use of this information to hype up your very own detoxification! Start now!
The detoxification process can also take in the form of a juice fast. Here at FitLife.TV, we recommend people to try the Alpha Reset (AR). The Alpha Reset is a 5 Day Juice Fast. It is part of the Juice with Drew System. This is the first step in your detoxification process. If you are just starting out with juicing, do not jump right into a juice fast right away. Just try 1 juice per day along with the rest of your nutrition and see how your body responds. If your body responds well to juicing, then ramp up the number of juices per day. These healthy, nutrient-dense juices can replace that coffee you reach for in the morning or that soda in the afternoon. Here are some of our followers that have tried the Alpha Reset!
If you’re ready to take the first step, begin your transformation by clicking the transformations below!
Source: Living Smarter with Fibromyalgia
Image Credit: Owner’s Guide
Disclaimer: The techniques, strategies, and suggestions expressed here are intended to be used for educational purposes only. The author, Drew Canole, and the associated www.fitlife.tv are not rendering medical advice, nor to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury.
It is imperative that before beginning any nutrition or exercise program you receive full medical clearance from a licensed physician.
Drew Canole and Fitlife.tv claim no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented here.