I have been given an amazing opportunity to try a 3 day juice cleanse from the awesome The Healthy Juice Company. For three days, each morning they will deliver directly to my doorstep (before 6 am!) a box with a whole day supply of cold pressed, organic, raw, fresh and tasty juices. This means that I get to experience the advantages of a juice fast without having to do all the hard work of buying the fruit/veggies, juicing and washing up! Yes, being a nutritional therapist has some advantages sometimes! I also like to try different diets and products before I recommend them to clients. Although we are all unique and we might react differently to various things, I think it is important for me to experience potential challenges that clients might come across while embarking on a new eating plan, so I can fully support them.
This time my challenge is a juice cleanse which means that I will be consuming only juices for 3 days. Obviously I can also drink unlimited amounts of water and herbal teas but no chewing foods! I have tried water only fasts and juice fasts before but only for a maximum of 2 days so I am curious to see if I can push myself a little further this time. Thanks to the extreme generosity of The Healthy Juice Company I also get to offer this amazing 3 day cleanse to one of my clients. I choose a lady in good health who just wants to increase her energy levels and who loves a challenge! I will be reporting on her experience too as we are doing the cleanse at the same time.
Before I tell you about how my first day went, let’s see why and if you should consider a juice fast.
The main reason for doing a juice cleanse is not weight loss like many people might think, (yes, you will lose some weight but this can easily be put back on when you start eating normally again) but for detoxing, increasing energy levels and vitality. During a juice fast your digestive system gets a rest but you are still introducing lots of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids) and live enzymes for optimal health. The high water content of the juices helps to hydrate the body and clear waste too. Toxins which have built up over time will also be released. The results? You can expect increased energy levels, clearer/glowing skin, better resistance to infections (colds and flu), improved mental clarity/focus and better sleep. Isn’t this remarkable?
You are probably wondering about any side effects or if you are going to be starving at all! To help with any potential side effects or withdrawal symptoms it is better to start cutting down or removing the following foods 2 or 3 days (ideally a week) before starting on the cleanse:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Gluten (such as wheat, barley, rye and spelt)
- Trans and hydrogenated fats (found in most processed foods and cakes, biscuits, deep fried foods)
- Refined carbohydrates (sweets, pizza, pasta, white breads and processed meals)
- Red and processed meats
- Salt
- Dairy foods (especially milk and cheese. Yogurt is usually more easily tolerated)
- All fizzy sugary drinks
Regarding hunger, in actual fact with these nutrients packed delicious juices you are not starving your body at all. You are probably giving your body even more nutrients than usual. Also hunger can be more emotional than physical as sometimes we put food in our mouths just out of habit or boredom and not because we are really hungry. We should all be more mindful when it comes to eating and listen to our body before reaching for foods.
Please note that if you suffer from any chronic conditions you should not embark on any detoxification programme without being followed by a health professional like a registered nutritional therapist or a naturopath.
So, how did I get on?
DAY 1
I was up at 6.20 am and, as promised, the precious box was waiting for me on my doorstep. A lovely card to let me know that the juices arrived was put through my letter box. This was a lovely touch! The juices come in glass bottles which need to be rinsed and left outside at the end of the day to be picked up by the driver again. In the box you will also find some paper straws lined with beewax. These are provided so you remember to sip your juices slowly and also to protect your teeth enamel.
The first juice was not a real juice but a lovely mixture of lemon, ginger, turmeric, golden linseeds, coconut oil, Himalayan pink salt and black pepper which needs to be mixed to warm water before drinking. As stated by The Healthy Juice Company, this is simply ‘sunshine’ in a mug and a great way to start the day. Surprisingly I did not miss my usual morning coffee!
I drank the first juice of the day at around 10.00. This was a green wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll which is oxygen for the cells and highly detoxifying. It tasted very refreshing. The next juice (at around 12.00) was very fruity and simply delicious. I was busy during the morning and did not feel hungry at all.
My lunch was a fantastic and very filling nut milk. This was my favorite drink of the day as it tasted very indulgent. Around mid-afternoon I noticed my tongue was a bit coated and I was slightly lightheaded but this is very normal during the initial phases of any detox process. While writing right now (7.00 pm) I am sipping my last juice of the day. This is a very light drink with some aloe vera to calm and restore. I am feeling a bit tired and I am sure I will sleep well tonight.
Overall today has been a breeze and I can’t wait to see what juices will be waiting on my doorstep tomorrow morning!
I also would like to point out that this is not a sponsored post. I am not paid by anyone to test products or to express my ideas.
Wish me well and if you have any questions about juicing fell free to ask here on my FB page. Remember to like my page and keep following the blog for more updates on the next exciting days ahead.