Juice fasts are becoming more popular as a way to “cleanse” the body and reset physiological processes that have been riddled with pollutants, toxins, and food that’s laced with preservatives.
But of course they make a lot of people squeamish. Will I get hungry? Will I be glued to the toilet? What groceries should I buy?
Let this guide give you a brief rundown of all the major points you need to consider before trying one.Reasons To Do It
Many people go on a juice fast hoping that it will be a quick fix to their weight and health problems. This is not a good idea. Instead, it’s best to think of juicing as a “gateway drug” to better health and eating clean.
A juice fast all by itself is a bit of a challenge, and frankly, too expensive to make it a one-time event.
Instead think of it as a lifestyle “jolt” that will give you a quick glimpse to the benefits of eating green. Many people note how they have increased energy and vitality after juicing, and doing it consistently for 2-3 days will whet your appetite for the energized feeling that comes with better health and a good diet.
What You Eat
The “juice” you drink on a juice fast isn’t the kind you buy in the store. It’s made with a juicer that compresses fresh fruits and vegetables and extracts the pulp. Most juice fasts consist only of drinking this type of juice and nothing else.
Depending on the length of your fast and your activity levels an occasional meal may be necessary, but it’s important to keep these foods “clean” and unprocessed
How Long to Fast
The length of people’s juice fasts can vary widely, anywhere from 2-60 days. However, for a newcomer, it’s most definitely a good idea to start small. Juice fasts can be fairly intense, and lifestyle circumstances can make longer ones all but impossible. Completely breaking your fast is worse than going on a small one successfully, so as a rule of thumb a 2-3 day fast is a good stepping point.
Beyond 7 days isn’t a particularly good idea. While the benefits of a juice fast can be remarkable, they can have certain deficiencies when practiced for a prolonged amount of time.
For most people a Friday-Saturday-Sunday fast is a good place to start. The short period of time will allow you to “break in” to the diet, and the weekend will give you ample free time and a flexible schedule. Juicing is extremely healthy, but also a very labor intensive way of eating, so a flexible schedule is usually key.
Continue reading the original article here livinggreenmag.com
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Source: livinggreenmag.com
Beginners Guide on How to Do a Juice Cleanse at Home
