Juice Fasting
We all know there are plenty of diet/nutrition regimes out there to choose from. Juice fasting is one of them and is used as a detoxification diet (i.e. a short term diet.) This type of fast involves the consumption of only water, raw vegetable and fruit juices for a certain period of time. The reason behind this diet is for the beneficial antioxidants and vitamins contained in fresh juices. This diet is considered one of extreme detox as there is no solid food consumed for the duration.
There are many reasons people may choose a juice fast diet over another type. Juice fasts can be used for losing weight, religious reasons, or to assist in weaning oneself from possible unhealthy habits. These could include overeating, caffeine addiction or smoking – to name a few. Then there are fasters who are a little more serious about their routines with juice fasting. They use it as an alternative healing technique to many conventional treatments. It may be used as a healing method for pain management, arthritis, infections resistant to antibiotics and other ailments as well.
There are certain people for whom juice diets aren’t recommended. This group of people includes pregnant or nursing women, children, diabetics, or people with anemia. Anyone with an impaired immune system, low blood pressure, terminal illness or epilepsy should also stay clear. People with any chronic illness or condition should steer clear of a juice fast unless they doing so under strict medical supervision. Never try a juice fast before or after surgery.
When considering how long your juice fast is going to last, there is an easy rule of thumb to follow. Continue with the juice fast until you have two days without any symptoms of detoxification. If you wish, you can also stick to a juice fast three or four days a week while eating a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables the other days. Along with sipping your juice during the day, it is recommended you also consume approximately six glasses of water at room temperature.
Some ingredients which can be used in juice fasts are:
Vegetables: celery, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes.
Greens: parsley, beet greens, chard, kale, dandelion leaf and spinach.
Herbs: fennel, spearmint, yucca root, basil, ginger, peppermint, green onion, chili pepper.
Fruits: grapes, apples, citrus, Acai berry.
Extras: wheatgrass juice, spirulina, complete vitamin & mineral supplement, psyllium husks.
Just ensure you have lots of vegetable juices, not just fruits! You don’t want a sugar overload. Try to follow a 80/20 split between vegetables and fruit on a daily basis.
Some side effects of a juice fast need mentioning here. Some common but temporary side effects include headaches, hypoglycemia, acne, tiredness, bad breath and an increase in body odor. Others could include dizziness or fainting, low blood pressure, weight loss, hunger, heart palpitations, vomiting and kidney problems. If you experience any of these side effects or any situation worsens stop the juice fasting immediately and contact a medical professional if necessary.
During a juice fast the stomach shrinks to its original size, about the size of your fist. After only three days of simply ingesting raw organic and fresh juices and water, you will lose those cravings for solid foods.
Your mind might try to tell you differently; however, your body doesn’t need more at this time. While just drinking your food, your stomach is able to get some well-deserved rest, allowing your colon to shed old compacted material which could be waiting there to cause future disease.
This would be a great diet to follow when you start working on following the acid/alkaline balanced diet or even once a year or so just to cleanse the body.
