If you’ve ever thought about doing a total body cleanse, you probably know a thing or two about green juice. This trendy drink made of liquefied veggies like spinach and kale is reportedly filled with vitamins and minerals, and has purported weight-loss and detoxifying effects.

But just what does green juice taste like? Is it better to buy it or make your own? And is it more than just a salad in a bottle? To find out, we chatted with Katarina Arneric, a health coach and an alumna of New York’s Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

Let’s just take care of this right out of the gate: Does green juice ever taste good?

It depends what you put in it. Generally, Katarina notes, sugars and fat make food tasty to humans—so green juices generally taste better with sugar. And that added sugar won’t necessarily ruin your cleanse, diet plan, or detox either. For example, throwing a healthy food like a banana in your green juice can counteract the bitterness of the veggies, as can a little protein-packed peanut butter.

What tools do I need to make green juice?

If you want to make green juice in your house, you'll need a juicer that may cost hundreds of dollars—but pays itself off over time. If you doubt your commitment to the liquid lifestyle, though, you can start off with store-bought juices or make smoothies. Smoothies require a blender, an appliance which is typically cheaper and more versatile than a juicer.

Check Goods for kitchen appliances like juicers and blenders.

I’m thinking about a juice cleanse. How filling is green juice?

It depends on how you drink it. “Anytime you are using [juice] as a meal replacement, you want to have it like you would a meal—where you’re chewing it, you’re swishing it around in your mouth," Katarina said. "You slowly enjoy and ingest it.” This will make you feel fuller during your natural cleanse.

How does green juice stack up, health-wise, against a salad?

For this question, please enjoy some pros and cons.

Salad

• Pros: Dressing, croutons, and cheese, if you're being daring. Accessible, too—let’s face it, ordering kale juice at a restaurant doesn’t always work.

• Cons: Some of the veggies’ nutrients are lost in the imperfect digestive process. Salads can also irritate finicky stomachs.

Green Juice

• Pros: Your system receives an immediate jolt of vitamins and minerals, and one that’s easy on the digestive system.

• Cons: Some healthy fiber and protein gets lost in the juicing process, making juices less filling than salad—they’re roughly 80% water, Katarina said.