Is it cheaper to buy a juice cleanse or make your own?
Introduction
Juice cleanses have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to detox, lose weight, and improve overall health. A juice cleanse typically involves drinking only freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices for a period of 3-10 days. While some people opt to purchase pre-made juices from companies specializing in juice cleanses, others choose to make their own juices at home. The choice ultimately comes down to convenience versus cost. In this article, we’ll analyze the costs associated with buying a pre-made juice cleanse versus making your own juices to determine which option is more budget-friendly.
Cost of pre-made juice cleanses
If you purchase a juice cleanse from a company that specializes in them, expect to pay a premium. Pre-made cleanses require minimal work on your end – the juices are delivered fresh daily, often with nut milks, soups, nut bites, and supplements. Here are some typical costs for popular juice cleanse companies:
| Company | Cleanse Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| BluePrint Cleanse | 3 days | $185 |
| Juice Press | 3 days | $180 |
| Liquid Diet | 5 days | $350 |
| Juice Generation | 3 days | $180 |
As you can see, a 3-day cleanse from popular companies ranges from $180-$185 while a 5-day cleanse is around $350. The more days of juice, the higher the cost. Some factors that contribute to the price are:
– Convenience of having juices delivered
– High-quality organic produce
– Specialized equipment for juicing
– Salaries of experienced juice pressers
– Packaging and shipping costs
So if convenience is key and you’d rather not spend time juicing yourself, a pre-made cleanse may be worth the investment. Expect to spend at least $60-70 per day.
Cost to make your own juices
If saving money is your top priority, making your own juice cleanse can slash the cost dramatically. The price depends largely on:
1. The types of produce you buy
2. Whether you already own a juicer
Let’s break down the typical costs:
Produce:
Organic produce from the farmer’s market or health food store will be more expensive than conventional produce from your regular grocery store. Here is a cost comparison:
| Item | Organic Price | Non-Organic Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apples (lb) | $3.99 | $1.99 |
| Carrots (lb) | $2.50 | $0.89 |
| Celery (head) | $2.99 | $1.99 |
| Spinach (5 oz) | $4.29 | $2.49 |
| Kale (bunch) | $2.99 | $1.29 |
| Beets (lb) | $3.99 | $1.99 |
| Ginger (oz) | $0.99 | $0.69 |
| Lemon (each) | $1.29 | $0.25 |
As you can see, choosing conventional instead of organic produce can almost cut costs in half. You’ll get the health benefits of juicing but save money upfront.
Based on typical juice cleanse recipes, expect to need roughly:
– 6 apples
– 5 large carrots
– 2 heads celery
– 10 oz spinach
– 1 bunch kale
– 1 large beet
– 2 inch piece ginger
– 2 lemons
That would cost:
– Organic: $29.93
– Non-organic: $15.53
To make a 3-day juice cleanse, you’d need triple that amount of produce which would be:
– Organic: $89.79
– Non-organic: $46.59
Juicer Cost:
You’ll need a heavy-duty juicer capable of extracting nutrients from leafy greens and breaking down fiber-rich root vegetables. Prices range from $50-$400+ depending on features.
| Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Centrifugal | $50-$100 |
| Masticating | $100-$200 |
| Triturating | $300-$400 |
Assuming you purchase a mid-range masticating juicer for $150, that’s an additional upfront cost. But a good juicer should last you for years of juice making.
Total cost:
Adding up produce for a 3-day cleanse plus a juicer, your total cost comes to:
– Organic produce: $89.79
– Juicer: $150
– Total: $239.79
– Non-organic produce: $46.59
– Juicer: $150
– Total: $196.59
Compared to $180-$350 for a pre-made 3-day cleanse, you can save $40 to $150 by making your own juices. And if you already own a juicer, then you’re just paying for affordable produce.
Making a juice cleanse on a $100 budget
If funds are tight, you can still complete a juice cleanse for around $100 if you:
– Shop sales and coupons for the cheapest conventional produce
– Use greens like cabbage, chard, or bok choy instead of kale, spinach, arugula
– Swap berries for cheaper apples and oranges
– Drink tap water between juices
– Skip extras like soups, nut milks, supplements
– Make enough juice for 1 big meal and 1 light snack rather than 6 juices per day.
You’d be getting the same nutrients from vegetable juicing while saving significantly on your grocery budget.
Pros and cons of pre-made vs. DIY juice cleanse
| Pre-made Cleanse | Make Your Own |
|---|---|
Pros:
Cons:
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Pros:
Cons:
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Conclusion
While pre-made juice cleanses are undeniably convenient, they come at a steep price. If you’re on a tight budget or simply want to know exactly what you’re putting into your body, making your own juice cleanse is vastly more affordable.
The upfront investment of a good juicer pays for itself quickly when you factor in the money saved on expensive prepared cleanses. And it allows you total control over your ingredients. While it’s more labor intensive, the cost savings of DIY juicing are worth it for most people.
Focus on buying bundles of produce on sale, mixing up flavor combos, and drinking water between juicing. And freeze any extra juice in silicon molds for easy grab-and-go options later. With a little planning, you can create healthy home juicing habits without sabotaging your grocery budget.