How a New Year’s Juice Cleanse Changed My Life
Ditching the diet for a juice detox helped me lose more than just weight.
The holidays are all about enjoying time with family and friends, and while it’s okay to indulge a little, all those homemade cookies and glasses of wine have a way of adding up.
One morning, you wake up tired and bloated. Your pants pinch as you reach for the baggy sweater you’ve been wearing all week, just as those cravings for carbs and sugar hit.
We’ve all been there.
In December of 2019, I began learning more about the power of fruit to both cleanse and heal the body. After reading about the benefits of a juice cleanse, I decided to give it a try.
I lost weight, yes, but what I didn't expect was how much better I’d feel. So much so, that it inspired my shift to a whole new lifestyle.
If you’re considering yet another traditional let’s-lose-weight after the New Year, why not try a juice cleanse instead? Below are a few guidelines to get you started.
The basics of a juice cleanse.
During a juice cleanse, we drink raw fresh juice alternating with distilled water. A juice detox typically last 2 to 10 days. If you’re new to juicing, however, I’d recommend starting with a 3- to 5-day cleanse.
Fresh juice provides a steady supply of nutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that are easily absorbed by your body. Because of this, it’s important to drink juice made with organic fruits and vegetables when possible.
Fresh raw juice helps our bodies in two ways. First, the liquid juice gives your digestive system a break and the energy saved can be redirected toward detoxing and cellular repair. Secondly, the juice’s bio-available nutrition supports your body’s healing process as it clears sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and other toxins from your body.
What to eat during a juice cleanse.
Begin your day with distilled water followed by 12–32 oz of fresh juice. Slowly sip (don’t chug) your juice to allow the enzymes time to support maximum nutrient absorption. Sipping also helps you feel full longer.
Drink 16–32 oz of juice every 2 hours, alternating with 16 oz of fresh distilled water to keep your body hydrated. Any hunger can be managed by increasing both your water or juice intake, up 64 oz every 2 hours.
Before and after a juice cleanse.
A week before your cleanse, omit all animal products from your diet. Instead, consume fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts to prepare your body for the transition to juice and help to minimize the discomfort of detoxing and withdrawal that people typically experience in the first few days of a cleanse.
Yes, you might experience headaches, bloating, or diarrhea at the start of your cleanse, but don’t worry, these are all good signs. By day 3, most people begin to feel better and enjoy a boost in energy.
Finally, it’s important to transition back to solid food with small portions of fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts for half the length of your cleanse. For example, after a 4-day juice detox, eat fresh raw foods for at least 2 days.
The real benefits of a juice cleanse.
A juice cleanse is a quick way to reset after a season of overindulging, but it’s also an opportunity to kickstart healthier habits. And who knows where those habits might take you?
Decide where you want to go, then take that first step. I did it, and I know you can too!
Ready to juice? Download your free copy of Evie’s Enlivening Juice List featuring my enlightened list of juicing essentials plus some of my favorite recipes.