Do you really need to prep for a juice cleanse?
The simple answer is YES... Failing to plan is planning to fail. Read that again. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
While it may be tempting to indulge in pizza, wine, and ice cream as a “last hoorah” before you cleanse, as a holistic nutritionist with two decades of experience in the wellness space, I can assure you this is not the way to success.
If you want to maximize your results, then preparing your body for a cleanse is key.
Find a Cleanse That Fits Your Needs
Why Should I Prepare for a Cleanse?
I am not going to lie to you; cleansing can be challenging. And it can be even more challenging for those who are used to eating the Standard American Diet (SAD... the irony), which is most people.
The SAD diet includes a diet full of processed foods and junk food such as breakfast cereals, cold cuts, chips, cookies, crackers, sugary drinks, and so on. This diet was introduced in the early 1950s and has been going strong despite the negative impact on the health of Americans nationwide [1].
What makes them so bad? These “foods” are riddled with toxic ingredients, like refined added sugars, refined carbohydrates, seed oils, gums, emulsifiers, additives, coloring agents, and chemical preservatives. They are high in calories but have very few nutrients, which is why you never feel satisfied and always need “just one more.” Think about this the next time you indulge in a bag of chips.
These foods cause health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, inability to lose weight, and obesity, to name a few [2]. These foods cause our bodies to suffer from intense cravings and irritability and can also alter our taste buds, making the taste of natural foods far less appealing. They can even make us addicted ... Eek.[3].
This is not to shame anyone’s eating habits (I have had my fair share of sugary cereals for breakfast in my lifetime) but is rather meant to shed light on how these foods can impact our bodies. In the same way, taking these foods away from our diet can make immense improvements in overall health, energy, and weight loss efforts.
When you remove these problematic foods gradually, rather than “cold turkey,” you allow your body to easily transition into a cleanse. This can mitigate any withdrawal symptoms or intense cravings and can allow for a gentle detoxing experience.
How Do You Prepare For a Raw Juice Cleanse?
A little prepping goes a long way. All it takes is a few extra steps. Here are some tips to properly prepare for a cold-pressed juice cleanse:
1. Cleanse Your Palate Pre-Cleanse
It may be tempting to overstuff yourself before you start a cleanse but don’t do it. Give yourself a friendly reminder of why you started this cleanse in the first place— to lose weight, kickstart better habits, promote detoxification... Whatever the reason may be, start this endeavor off on the right foot. And remember, there will be plenty of other times to indulge in the foods you love.
Cut out meat, dairy, animal products, gluten, and refined sugar about 3-4 days before a cleanse (a week is ideal, but not necessary). Refrain from drinking alcohol and eating processed or fried foods. Avoid energy drinks, soda, pasteurized juices, protein shakes, flavored coffee creamers, and sweetened iced tea.
If you are a coffee drinker, that’s fine. You don’t have to give up caffeine. However, I recommend you find a clean oat or nut milk, like almond milk (Elmhurst, Three Trees, & Malk are great milk alternatives). If you take your coffee sweet, use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.
You want to adhere to a plant-based diet, but not a processed one full of mock meats and more processed junk. Think whole foods, like raw fruits, vegetables, and potatoes. Eat this way leading up to the first day of your juice fast. This period of healthy eating will help to maximize your cleansing results.
2. Purge Your Pantry
That pint of ice cream or bag of pretzels looks much more appetizing than usual, especially when you can’t have them. We always want what we can’t have, right? And it’s not a matter of if you want these foods or not; it’s when.
Get rid of anything that can be a potential temptation or setback. I am not necessarily advising you to throw away food. They can be donated, shared with others, or simply stored in a place where they won’t be so available to you — out of sight, out of mind.
3. Stock Up on Healthy Options
A common misconception about juice cleansing is that you can’t eat solid foods. You can eat. You just need to eat the right things.
While you cleanse, feel free to have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you’re busy like me, here are some great grab n’ go options that take little to no effort:
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Celery sticks
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Carrots
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Sliced cucumber sprinkled with sea salt
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Berries
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Bananas
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Apples
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Peaches
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Pears
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Grapes
Nutritionist Tip: These are just suggestions. You can have any fruit or veggie of your choice! No fruit or vegetable is off-limits.
If you feel like you need a little something extra, have some steamed sweet potato or baked potatoes ready to go. Another great option is a salad with a lemon wedge for dressing. You can make it fun by adding berries or oranges for extra bursts of flavor. Herbs or spices are another way to spice things up. No pun intended.
4. Hydrate
Believe it or not, a huge cleansing challenge is hydration. It’s the very reason why many people who cleanse suffer from side effects like headaches, low energy levels, or intense cravings.
Drink plenty of water, caffeine-free herbal teas, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies.
One “cleansing hack” I swear by is coconut water. If you want supreme hydration, electrolytes, and an energy boost while you cleanse, check out our Truly Raw Coconut Water.
This will elevate your cleansing experience like no other. And will give you more hydration than a plain old glass of water. They call it nature’s energy drink for a good reason.
Hydrate and Replenish With Coconut Water
5. Enhance Weight Loss and Support Your Digestive System
Many people cleanse with the goal of wanting to lose weight. But you can’t lose weight if you don’t have a healthy gut. The two go hand-in-hand.
Here is my secret to killing two birds with one stone...The Skinny Boost Shot.
This little shot contains two very big ingredients for both weight loss AND gut health.
Hibiscus naturally burns fat and enhances weight loss. Pineapple contains bromelain, a natural digestive enzyme that helps decrease bloating and sheds belly fat—no need for diet pills or fat-loss stimulants here.
This is a no-brainer for cleansing and can even be used post-cleanse before you eat heavier meals.
Enhance Weight loss and Support Digestion While You Cleanse
6. Mentally Prepare Yourself
One element that is often overlooked is the mental component of a cleanse.
It takes a strong body and mind to try a cleanse. Mentally prepare yourself for the challenge that lies ahead. Whether it’s a 3-day juice cleanse or a 10-day juice cleanse, both are equally challenging and require a level of discipline. You can do it!
Find ways to stay positive through the difficulties. Go for a walk. Journal. Get adequate sleep. And most importantly, listen to your body.
This is key when it comes to a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being.
Ready, Prep, Cleanse
Prepping is the key to success.
If you want to maximize your results and reap the many health benefits of fresh juice, be sure to follow these key suggestions.
Break bad habits, introduce new ones, and cleanse like a pro.
What’s your next step? Find the cleanse that suits your wellness needs.
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