Protein shakes and packaged nutrition shakes are not generally something we endorse as part of the anti-inflammatory diet recommendations we make on the CleanCuisine.com website. But Juice Plus+ Complete nutrition No-Milk shakes are different. My husband, Andy Larson, M.D., and I were introduced to Juice Plus+ several years ago by one of his patients and we have since done a lot of research on the company and their phytonutrient-rich product line. Juice Plus+ as a company is unique in the nutritional supplement world because their fruit and vegetable based products are one of the most thoroughly and scientifically research nutritional supplements anywhere. And, because Andy and I know the statistics, we know the average person does not eat a “whole foods” diet much less come anywhere close to eating the 9 to 12 servings of fruits and vegetables that they should eat each day for optimal health. Thus, the average person is highly deficient in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich phytonutrients found in fruits, vegetables and other plant-based “whole foods”. This is where the Juice Plus+ product line and Juice Plus+ Complete shakes step in to fill the gap. Juice Plus+ products provide your body with a much needed nutrition “booster.” To jump right to the recipes just scroll right on down….but you might want to read more on what makes a protein shake healthy or not. 

When It Comes to Phytonutrients, More is Better:

As part of the “whole foods” based anti-inflammatory diet our family follows, we eat at least nine to twelve servings of phytonutrient-rich fruits and vegetables each day, but we also incorporate Juice Plus+ into our diets because we know you can’t overdo phytonutrients. When it comes to your phytonutrient intake, more is better. This is absolutely NOT the case with vitamins and minerals. If you over-consume vitamins and minerals there can be toxic consequences. In comparison, getting more phytonutrients from whole foods into your diet will have tremendous health benefits including reducing inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, slower aging and protection against a wide variety of degenerative diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

What is Juice Plus+ and Juice Plus+ Complete?

The Juice Plus+ product line is comprised of whole food-based phytonutrient-rich nutrition boosters. Juice Plus+ Orchard Blend and Juice Plus+ Garden Blend are concentrated fruit and vegetable juice powders in easy-to-swallow capsule form. Juice Plus+ Complete is a whole-foods based shake. All Juice Plus+ products are a great source of phytonutrients.

What Exactly Are Phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients are disease-fighting substances found only in plant-based foods. Phytonutrients not only help protect and support the health of the plant, but also support the health of YOU, the plant-eater. Plant-based foods contain literally hundreds of different phytonutrients that work synergistically on many different cellular levels to optimize health. The greater variety of phytonutrients you get the better protection you have. Phytonutrients are one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants; they work to prevent both visible and cellular aging. Scientific evidence supports the value of phytonutrients in preventing and treating at least three leading causes of premature death including cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In addition to offering powerful antioxidant benefits, phytonutrients are powerful anti-inflammatory substances that help reduce the systemic inflammation associated with many chronic inflammatory conditions. Phytonutrients also enable your body to burn fat faster by stimulating PPAR’s (peroxisome proliferator activated receptors). PPAR’s reduce fat-storing insulin levels and even lower cholesterol. Note: Animal foods do not contain phytonutrients so shakes made only with animal food sources of protein (such as milk or whey protein) do not contain phytonutrients.

Phytonutrients from Whole Foods are Best

It is important to note that taking isolated phytonutrients is not something we endorse. Juice Plus+ does not contain isolated phytonutrients but instead contains phytonutrients in “whole food” form. For optimal health you need lots and lots of phytonutrients from a mix of all sorts of different plant foods. There are scores of plant foods to eat and each plant food has its own unique phytonutrient makeup. In fact, scientists have identified over 10,000 different phytonutrients to date. Importantly, there is no such thing as a magic bullet single “best” phytonutrient because these powerful substances work synergistically as team players. Just like our favorite football team the Miami Dolphins couldn’t have enjoyed the only unbeaten, untied record in modern sports history through the isolated efforts of one star player, one single phytonutrient can’t get the job done either. You need to have the whole team! You can learn more about the standard Juice Plus+ “whole food” based phytonutrient boosters in the form of Juice Plus+ Orchard Blend and Juice Plus+ Garden Blend HERE.

What is Juice Plus+ Complete?

I hesitate to call Juice Plus+ Complete a “protein shake” because while it does contain protein (13 grams per serving) that’s not the reason our family likes it so much. Assuming you get enough calories to eat you most likely do not need to supplement your diet with extra protein. Instead, Juice Plus+ Complete is a highly convenient “whole foods” based vegan powder blend that not only provides plenty of vitamins and minerals but also a phytonutrient boost.

Juice Plus+ Complete – Copyright of NSA Juice Plus+®

Juice Plus+ is a 100% natural plant-based and fiber-rich “clean and green” whole foods shake that is free of animal products, dairy, gluten, wheat, yeast and artificial sweeteners. Best of all, Juice Plus+ Complete fuses whole food nutrition with fast food convenience. And let’s face it; the fact that Juice Plus+ is convenient is important. Our family is on the go a lot and Andy often finds it difficult to interrupt his busy surgical schedule to take the time to eat a full meal; Juice Plus+ complete helps keep his energy up during the busy workday. The shakes also keep our super active 11-year old son fueled up before or after his lacrosse and football practice. We just love the idea that Juice Plus+ Complete is a convenient way to get whole foods nutrition and additional phytonutrients. And finally, unlike some of the other “whole foods” shakes we have tried Juice Plus+ Complete truly tastes good too. In our book, taste is almost every bit as important as convenience! I’ve included ten of our family’s favorite dairy-free Juice Plus+ Complete shake recipes below…just keep scrolling down toward the end of the page.

How To Buy Juice Plus+

Juice Plus+ is sold through independent distributors.  In addition the products are often available by searching Amazon or you can try to buy from Amazon by clicking HERE.  You can learn more by visiting the Juice Plus+ website HERE.

10 “Eat Clean Recipes”

Phytonutrient-Rich “No-Milk” Shakes Using Juice Plus+ Complete

Before I get to the recipes I thought I’d answer 2 most frequently asked questions…..

Why “No Milk” in the Juice Plus+ Complete Recipes While we don’t completely avoid dairy, our family has substantially decreased our dairy consumption over the years. We now only use just a little cheese here and there for flavor, but no other dairy products at all. We prefer plant-based phytonutrient-rich almond milk and hemp milk to dairy milk (both are easy to find in any supermarket and come in soft box containers.) You could also use unsweetened soy milk if you prefer (such as Silk brand) but since Juice Plus+ Complete includes soy we think it’s a good idea to incorporate hemp milk or almond milk for diversification. Why Do You Use Hemp Seeds in Some of the Juice Plus+ Complete Recipes? We use hemp seeds because they are incredibly nutrient-dense “super” foods. Hemp seeds are rich in essential omega-3 and omega-6 fats and contain about 25% protein and 10 to 15% fiber. Hemp seeds add a nutty, rich taste to shakes and also provide a rich array of minerals, particularly potassium, magnesium and calcium.

Hemp seeds can be purchased in nutrition stores or Whole Foods Market.  Another great place to shop for hemp seeds is THRIVE MARKET for a five dollar per month membership gives you discounts of 20 to 50 percent off what you would get from Whole Foods Market on all kinds of healthy and organic foods and products.  Click HERE for a free trial membership.  They are also available online at Nutiva.com (look for Nutiva “Organic Shelled Hempseed”) For more information on Hemp Seeds click HERE. **All recipes are vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free and dairy-free

Recipes for Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete:

1. Cinnamon-Blueberry Sensation

• 1 scoop Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup hemp milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, plus more to taste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————-

2. Lemon-Peach Pie Smoothie

• 1 scoop Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup hemp milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches
• 1/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————-

3. Raspberries and Cream Smoothie

• 1 scoop Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup hemp milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————

4. Coconut-Mango Delight

• 1 scoop Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup hemp milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened, un-sulfured raw shredded coconut

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————-

5. Orange Vanilla “Dreamsicle”

• 1 scoop Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup hemp milk  or almond milk
• 1 whole orange, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————-

6. Coconut-Pineapple Lime Slushy

• 1 scoop Vanilla Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup hemp milk or almond milk
• 3/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened, un-sulfured raw shredded coconut
• Juice from 1/4 of a lime

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————-

Recipes for Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete

7. To Die for Chocolaty Peanut Butter Banana Shake

• 1 scoop Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 frozen banana, cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup hemp milk or almond milk
• 2 teaspoons all-natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Ghirardelli brand), optional

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————-

8. German Chocolate Cherry Cake

• 1 scoop Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup frozen cherries
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 teaspoons almond butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Ghirardelli brand), optional

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————-

9. Next Best Thing to an “Almond Joy”

• 1 scoop Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened, un-sulfured raw shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.

———————————————————————————–

10. Chocolate-Almond Raspberry Decadence

• 1 scoop Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds

Blend ingredients for 30-40 seconds in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix.