I’ve recently started juicing and I have to say it’s quite an experience. I got the idea from the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, about a man named Joe Cross and his journey to go on a 60 day juicing fast. It helped him lose weight and decrease his amount of medication he was taking for an autoimmune disease. A juice fast is an interesting diet concept, but certainly not a new one. Your diet is strictly juiced fruits and vegetables, along with water and tea if you so choose. While you don’t have to go to the extreme like Joe Cross, a typical juicing fast lasts between 3 and 30 days. So how do you prepare for such a health regime?
- Do your research: Before you jump right into a juice fast, be sure to do your research. There’s plenty of blogs written by people who have gone through a juice fast before. Joe Cross’s site, Reboot Your Life, gives great information regarding how to have a successful fast, before, during and after. See if this is something you think you can do, and mentally prepare for what’s ahead.
- Check with your doctor: Before you get into any new diet, exercise or health program, you should always consult your physician. Juice fasts aren’t for everybody, and they can affect how you feel and how your medication responds. Ask your doctor if you’re healthy enough to participate in a juice fast. If you want to see certain numbers improve like your blood pressure or cholesterol, have labs done to have numbers to compare your results to.
- Buy a juicer: I did some research regarding different juicers, but many of them were too expensive for my budget. I found a nice juicer on Amazon with great ratings for $30. I used a $25 Amazon gift card to get it for $5. It certainly gets the job done! One juicer that gets a lot of props is the Jack LaLanne juicer, which runs about $100. Find a juicer that fits your lifestyle.
- Gather your produce: Remember, in a juicing fast, you’ll be working strictly with fruits and vegetables. It’d be best to stick with organic produce, but you can also opt for fruits and vegetables you grow in your garden or your local market. Be sure to keep your produce washed thoroughly, to remove dirt, pesticides, and any other harmful chemicals on your food.
- Buy a BPA Free bottle: If you’re juicing on the go, you’ll want to put your juice in a BPA free bottle. This will keep you safe from Bisphenol A, a compound found in plastic that can cause health issues. I have 2 different bottles: 1 for my water that holds 32 ounces, and another specifically for my juice that holds 24 ounces. I like bottles with the ounces marked on them for extra motivation.
- Get plenty of rest: Before and during your fast, you’ll want to make sure you get plenty of rest. Having an adequate amount of sleep will ensure that you have plenty of energy and keeps you healthy in general. Aim for at least 7 hours.
- Stock up: You’ll need a few more supplies like filtered water, tea, and toilet paper (since you’ll be making frequent trips to the bathroom).
You don’t have to go on a juice fast to get the benefits. Incorporating fresh fruit and vegetable juice even once a day will give you great benefits like a cleaner colon and liver, clearer skin, stronger immune system, and weight loss. Again, the most important thing to do is consult with your physician before making any drastic lifestyle change.
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