Homemade V8 Plus Juice, nourishing and healthy serving of your favorite veggies in one delicious glass full! Along with 8 delicious wholesome veggies, this juice has fresh herbs and an apple to make it a V8 Plus juice.
Vegetable juice is probably the best way to have required serving of veggies for whole day, right at the start of day! With homemade version you can control the amount of salt and sugar. I don't add sugar in juices/smoothies. The natural sweetness of apple and tiny bit salt balances the acidity of tomatoes and makes this juice enjoyable for everyone - kids, adults or grands!
A raw diet is beautiful way to replenish your body with antioxidants, vitamins and lots of minerals in it's purest form. If I start sharing with your benefits of eating raw vegetables and fruits.. possibly this post will be longest post I will ever write. But, today, I'm here to share a homemade healthier V8 Juice recipe which is low-sodium, adjustable to your taste, and far more healthier.
First, confession time! I love V8 juices, specially vegetables and tomato juice. Even though the base ingredients in V8 series of juices i.e. tomato is made from concentrate but they taste really good. Almost like a chilled gazpacho! Actually, I may not enjoy a bottled orange juice as much as I will a bottled V8 tomato juice. I don't say orange juice is bad.. It is just my palate that likes everything savory. :)
V8 Juice Plus is my homemade version of V8 Juice that has that savory tomato-y flavor but far less sodium and really nothing from concentrate. Honestly, homemade version of V8 does need a 10 minutes effort to pick veggies from refrigerator, slice, juice and strain (if preferred)... but it's taste and healthy benefits are far more superior.
Why V8 Plus?
I call it V8 Plus for two reasons. One because I add a small bunch of herbs in juice such as parsley and basil. Original V8 juice recipe may not call for herbs but when I'm juicing a healthy concoction.. I like to keep benefits of herbs in mind.
Second reason for V8 Plus is an apple. I mean, a fruit in all vegetable juice.
Why Apple?
Well, because - an Apple a day keeps doctor away! Also, because sweetness of apple balances the acidity of lime and tomatoes which helps me keep this juice low-sodium. You know, salt balances the sour ingredients. Less sour means less salt needed.
The lush red color of original V8 juice is mainly because of tomatoes juice from concentrate. The homemade fresh vegetable juice cannot have that same color. Just so you know, I have used one pound tomatoes in 4 cups of juice. And still there was no deep dark red color anywhere. Only two things I can suggest if you are after thick slurp-y red tomato-y color juice is a) to skip all green veggies b) to not strain the juice.
Where option (a) is not my favorite, so my homemade version of V8 is rather orange in color. Option (b) is totally okay for thick juice. I usually don't strain it.. But for pictures, a glass of juice with sediments was very difficult to shoot. So,I did strain it.
Friends, summers are so hot this year. When you feel like open can of soda... opt for a healthier juice! If it can be homemade.. that is even better! Just so you know, this glass of veggie juice is paleo, gluten free, vegan, and also low sodium.
Please don't underestimate the power of a homemade juice. Since it is healthy, it does not mean it is boring! In-fact it is more versatile than you think. Like,
a) add some Worcestershire (not vegan) in it for Virgin Bloody Marry!
b) Add any leftover juice in a soup to enhance it's flavor.
c) Or add some sugar and freeze ice pops for a savory summer surprise!
I was all cozy with summer tomatoes from past few days! So a tomato juice with big punch of raw vegetable nutrients was must to hit the blog! I hope you will enjoy this V8 Juice Plus version as much as my family enjoyed it!
So, friends, hunt veggies from refrigerator and juice one V8 today!Don't worry if you have different veggies or not all 9 ingredients. It is totally okay to try a variation! Now, this makes me ask you, what is your favorite one-glass wonder for breakfast?! Love to hear some ideas!!
Wish a you happy week ahead!
Cheers! -Savita
Here are few more summer drinks with fresh fruits/veggies from my recipe collections:
FAQs
Why Drink Homemade V8 Juice? High in potassium: A diet high in potassium can help reduce blood pressure, protect against stroke, and prevent cell degradation, keeping skin healthy and glowing. High in Vitamin A: Vitamin A is important in the healthy maintenance of teeth, bones, white blood cells and your body's organs.
Which V8 is actually healthy for you? ›
Low-sodium V8 is also an excellent source of potassium, as potassium chloride is added. An 8-ounce glass has only 45 calories and 8 grams of carbohydrate (if you subtract the 1 gram of fiber).
Is V8 juice healthy to drink daily? ›
Any 100 percent vegetable juice counts toward a person's daily recommended vegetable intake. However, due to the importance of fiber, many nutritionists recommend eating whole vegetables and fruits. V8 may also contribute to a person's salt intake.
How do you make V8 vegetable juice taste better? ›
Try adding other vegetables, particularly greens or herbs. My two favorite add-ins (separately) were cayenne and mint. The cayenne adds the perfect kick, and mint put a fresh, light spin on traditional V8.
What is the healthiest juice to drink? ›
5 of the healthiest juices
- Açaí berry. While research is limited, Açaí juice has been found to offer some benefits. ...
- Beet. Also called beetroot juice, beet juice contains a significant amount of nitrates that help to improve blood flow, according to WebMD. ...
- Cranberry. ...
- Grapefruit. ...
- Tomato.
The antioxidant lycopene found in V8 100% vegetable juice affects inflammation as measured by CRP levels in a sample of female patients with heart failure. Lycopene is a natural phytochemical found in fruits and vegetables.
Which is better for you orange juice or V8? ›
Simple carbs, found in sodas and fruit juices, cause a blood sugar spike that peters out soon after consumption, resulting in a short-lived energy boost. V8 juice is also substantially lower in sugar compared to soda and fruit juice, making it the optimal choice if you are trying to limit sugar intake.
What can be substituted for V8 juice? ›
Stir together vegetable juices, water, lemon juice, 1 1/4 teaspoons sugar, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper in a large pot.
Is there any benefit to drinking V8? ›
Our Nutrients
Vitamin C – an antioxidant that's important for your skin, bones, collagen production and helps support your immune system. Lycopene – an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red coloring and may help protect cells from damage.
Does V8 really count as vegetable? ›
Vegetable Servings
According to V8's official website, an 8-oz. serving of original V8 juice counts as two servings of vegetables. However, juices should not be used as a replacement for fresh, whole vegetables.
It a good source of potassium and dietary fiber, and excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C. In addition it is loaded with a high bioavailable amount of antioxidants. For persons with high blood pressure issues, choosing the low sodium version provides 20% of your potassium needs to help with regulation.
Is V8 truly healthy? ›
With a short and mostly recognizable ingredient list, V8 juice is a healthy option, says Crumble Smith, but it doesn't come anywhere close to eating real whole fruits and vegetables. “Unless you're getting the low sodium (V8), there's a ton of sodium in that,” Crumble Smith says.
Is it better to drink V8 warm or cold? ›
V8 +ENERGY drinks do not need to be refrigerated before opening. However, we recommend enjoying V8 +ENERGY chilled.
Is V8 juice hard on your stomach? ›
Acidity May Cause Heartburn
Some people who are prone to heartburn find tomato products and citrus fruits and beverages trigger their symptoms. As such, some V8 drinks might stimulate heartburn, caused by reflux in which stomach contents escape into the esophagus.
What is the stuff at the bottom of V8 juice? ›
When a bottle sits for a period of time (for example, on a store shelf or in your kitchen cupboard), some small pieces of vegetable pulp naturally settle to the bottom of the container.
Is V8 better for you than orange juice? ›
Simple carbs, found in sodas and fruit juices, cause a blood sugar spike that peters out soon after consumption, resulting in a short-lived energy boost. V8 juice is also substantially lower in sugar compared to soda and fruit juice, making it the optimal choice if you are trying to limit sugar intake.
Is it good to drink vegetable juice everyday? ›
Drinking green juice in moderation can boost your intake of multiple nutrients, but too much may cause serious side effects. Green vegetables are a rich source of oxalic acid, or oxalate, which is considered an antinutrient because it binds to minerals in food and stops your digestive tract from absorbing them.
What are the side effects of V8 juice? ›
Acidity May Cause Heartburn
As such, some V8 drinks might stimulate heartburn, caused by reflux in which stomach contents escape into the esophagus. People with long-term reflux — gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — might be particularly susceptible to this effect.
