11 Things You Should Never Put in a Juicer

Broccoli

Believe it or not, some people may attempt to squeeze broccoli into their homemade "green juice" to reap its impressively high vitamin C content—but they shouldn't! "Broccoli can be difficult to digest, resulting in bloating, gas, or cramping. I wouldn't recommend juicing it, especially if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome," says Neda Varbanova, certified culinary nutritionist and holistic health coach who runs Healthy with Nedi. Avoid similar cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage for the same reasons.

Avocado

Save this creamy green fruit for a smoothie, instead. "Avocados don't really contain a lot of juice, so they're better suited to the blender rather than a juicer," says Chante Wiegand, ND, director of education at Pure Synergy. 

Whole apples 

You can juice an apple, but be careful to remove the seeds first. "Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can be poisonous when metabolized in the digestive system," says Varbanova. In fact, the R&D team at popular juicer brand HUROM's nutrition center has conducted research that backs up that notion that apple seeds may, indeed, be toxic. Better safe than sorry!

Coconut 

Coconut milk and coconut water can be fun additions to a juice or smoothie, but you can't harvest extra from the meat itself—it's just not juicy enough! You're better off buying both products at the grocery store. 

Kale 

Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach provide a dose of calcium and vitamins A and C, but skip running them through a juicer if you're prone to kidney stones. "Some people have issues with too many oxalates, which are found in dark leafy greens, because they may cause kidney stones," Wiegand says.  

Pears 

Not everyone should avoid juicing pears, but if you're sensitive to fructose, you should consider steering clear. "Pears contain sorbitol, a non-digestible form of sugar that can create a quick bowel movement. That's why many people drink pear juice to treat constipation," Varbanova says.

Pineapple 

This tropical fruit is a hearty source of vitamins and fiber when eaten whole, but juicing it strips all those benefits away, leaving you with a whole lot of sugar, says Varbanova. "This can cause your blood sugar and insulin levels to spike," she adds.

Whole citrus segments 

Take the time to peel oranges, grapefruits, lemons, or limes. "Citrus rinds contain compounds that can irritate the digestive system," says Wiegand. Plus, they don't have any juice, anyhow.  

Rhubarb 

Unfortunately, you can't re-create the summery strawberry rhubarb pie as a juice. Rhubarb is too fibrous to yield much liquid. Plus, it's hard on your juicer, Wiegand says.

Bananas 

This smoothie staple doesn't have enough juice to make it worth your time. If you really like its flavor, add your juice and banana to a blender and turn it into a smoothie.  

Ice 

Juicers aren't interchangeable with blenders, no matter how similar they may seem. Running hard items like ice through your juicer could do some serious damage to your machine, says Erica Chang, brand marketing manager at HUROM.