Nargis Fakhri’s ‘one glass at a time’ wellness ritual: ‘Easy way to get more greens’

Celebrity Nargis Fakhri has made keeping her health a top priority this year, and part of her wellness routine includes a morning glass of fresh vegetable juice. Sharing her go-to recipe on Instagram, the actress emphasized that this easy way to incorporate more greens into her day has been energizing and refreshing. Edwina Raj, Head of Services - Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, explained that vegetable juice can be a beneficial addition to the diet, providing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant compounds that support the immune system, skin health, hydration, digestion, heart health, and overall well-being.

However, Raj cautioned against replacing whole vegetables with juice, as the juicing process removes much of the fiber, which is crucial for gut health, blood sugar control, healthy digestion, and sustained fullness. She advised that freshly prepared juice without added sugar or salt is the healthiest choice, but it should be considered a nutritional supplement to a balanced diet rather than a miracle solution or detox drink.

When creating vegetable juice, Raj stressed the importance of washing vegetables thoroughly to minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses. She also warned that people with certain health conditions or those taking specific medications should be cautious when consuming vegetable juice. For instance, beetroot is high in oxalates and may increase the risk of kidney stones, while leafy greens contain vitamin K, which could interact with blood-thinning medications if consumed without consistency.

Raj emphasized that while vegetable juice is generally safe for healthy adults, people with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, kidney stones, digestive disorders, or those on blood-thinning medications should consult their healthcare provider before incorporating it into their routine. Pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immunity should also ensure that the juice is freshly prepared under hygienic conditions to minimize infection risks.

Ultimately, Raj recommended that for most healthy individuals, moderate consumption of fresh vegetable juice alongside whole vegetables, adequate protein, healthy fats, and regular exercise would be the safest and most beneficial approach.