11 Things You Should Never put in a Juicer

If you thought that all fruits and vegetables are good for juicing, you’d better think again! Here’s the ones you should never try to juice, as it could save your juicer – and your body – a lot of stress and strain.

1. Broccoli

Broccoli has a high vitamin C content, so a lot of people think it will make a good addition to their green juices, but broccoli can be difficult to digest. It can cause bloating, gas, or cramping, and definitely avoid if you have irritable bowel syndrome. Other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage shouldn’t be juiced for the same reasons.

2. Avocado

Avocados don’t contain a lot of juice, so they’re better suited to being blended for a smoothie instead.

3. Whole Apples

Apples can be juiced, but you should remove the seeds first. Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can be poisonous when metabolized.

4. Coconut

You can use coconut milk and coconut water in your juice or smoothie, but you can’t use the white flesh of the coconut itself as it’s not juicy enough.

5. Kale

If you’re prone to kidney stones, avoid juicing dark, leafy greens like kale and spinach. Oxalates are found in these greens, and they can cause kidney stones.

6. Pears

Most people can juice pears, but if you’re sensitive to fructose, you should think about steering clear. Pears contain a substance called sorbitol, which is a non-digestible form of sugar that can cause a quick bowel movement. That’s why some people drink pear juice for constipation.

7. Pineapple

This fruit contains lots of vitamins and fiber when eaten whole, but juicing it strips all the good things away, leaving just a lot of sugar. This could cause your blood sugar and insulin levels to surge.

8. Whole Citrus Segments

Peel your oranges, grapefruits, lemons, or limes before you juice them. Citrus rinds contain substances that can irritate your digestive system.

9. Rhubarb

Rhubarb is too fibrous to give much liquid, and it can be harsh on your juicer. Did you know that rhubarb leaves are poisonous and should never be eaten?

10. Bananas

Bananas might be a staple smoothie ingredient, but they don’t have enough juice to make juicing them worthwhile.

11. Ice

Running hard items like ice through your juicer can do serious damage – leave the tough stuff for your blender, as it is better able to cope with hard foods.