When you decide that it is time to attempt a juice cleanse, you will undoubtedly have several questions popping up in your mind. Juice cleansing is a practice that will benefit you and your body in many ways. As you know, the benefits of juicing are well documented. Juice cleansing will help your body start afresh by giving it rest from digesting food. As the internal organs have time to cleanse themselves, you’ll sleep better and have more energy.
What’s a Juice Cleanse
A juice cleanse involves consuming only juice for some time. You may also drink broth, herbal tea, or water, depending on which cleanse you choose. The goal is to rest your digestive system, give your liver and other detoxifying organs a break and get deep nutrition in easily digestible forms.
There are many different cleanses to choose from; some only drink green juices, while others add fresh fruit juices. Some take a day or two, while others last up to 10 days. Many people do a short cleanse once or twice a year, such as before the holidays, to kick-start healthy eating habits or drop a few pounds.
Juice Cleanse on a Sick Day
You might also consider doing a cleanse when you’re sick. Instead of taking medicine with side effects, you can make yourself fresh juices packed with healing nutrients and put your body’s energy into fighting the infection rather than digesting food. If you’re not feeling well or are run down, try a one-day cleanse with light vegetable juices to start.
Since all of your nutrients will come from raw fruits and vegetables during the cleanse, you’ll be getting lots of vitamins and minerals. This can help give your energy levels a boost right away. However, since most people on a juice cleanse eat far fewer calories than they usually would, you might feel tired or sluggish.
Juice Cleanse for Weight Loss
If juicing is replacing all of your meals for several days, it stands to reason that you’ll lose some weight during that time as part of the juice cleanse results. However, after the cleanse ends, it’s important to eat regular (healthy) meals to keep from gaining weight back again.
Try not to spend too much time on the couch during a cleanse because physical activity helps flush toxins out of your body quickly. Walking is a good option if you don’t feel like getting in an intense workout while you’re on a detox.
The Process of making a Juice Cleanse
A juice cleanser usually contains green juice, fruit juice, and vegetable juice. A good combination of ingredients is celery, spinach, and cucumber for the green juice; pineapple, apple, oranges for the fruit juice; carrot and beetroot for the vegetable juice. You will need to get a juicer and peel all your ingredients before juicing them.
For the best results, drink your fluids every couple of hours throughout the day. Adding lemon or ginger can enhance their taste, but avoid adding sugar since this will lessen the benefits of a detox. Other healthy snacks will help keep you alert throughout the day, so try snacking on carrots or celery sticks now and then. After your cleanse is over, gradually reintroduce solid foods into your diet. Start with small portions of soup or salad before progressing to larger meals like pasta.
More Benefits of a Juice Cleanse
Juice cleanses other benefits besides weight loss and better health. You’ll be helping the environment by buying locally grown organic produce. Local farms will benefit from your business and use fewer fossil fuels in transporting their products to market. You’ll be setting an excellent example for others by choosing natural, healthy ways to take care of yourself.
Juice cleansing has its benefits and will likely lead to weight loss for the person following it, but it requires the proper mindset to be truly effective. For example, if you are looking to go on a juice cleanse, you must have a goal in mind that you want to achieve through this process. In addition, you need to be fully aware of a juice cleanse to ensure successful juice cleanse results and prepare yourself mentally by setting goals.