We’ve all heard about fad diets: Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers. While each method of dieting utilizes a different approach to a healthier lifestyle, we want to find what works for us as individuals. First, identify your health goal. Is it to lose 10-15 pounds? Is it to prepare for a race? Is it to cut out cravings?
After determining your goal, breakdown how to get there. A one-day cleanse, or even a three-day cleanse won’t get you to a weight loss goal of 15 pounds, nor will it guarantee a PR. Here’s what a juice cleanse can do, however:
Provides a sense of accomplishment: Let’s face it, consuming only 5-7 vegetable/fruit juices for 1-3 day is not for the faint of heart. Mental focus may be compromised during the cleanse as the brain is fueling off of less glucose than usual, but post-cleanse individuals typically experience mood improvement and a major confidence boost.
Shedding weight: It’s obvious weight loss is a result of eliminating solid food from your diet for 24-72 hours. However, a large percentage of weight lost is water weight and, if done too long, muscle mass. Most individuals gain the weight back after going back to a solid food diet.
Helps eliminate unhealthy cravings: This is purely a psychological and individual trend. There are alternatives to breaking cravings, but for some, juice cleansing is a motivating way to knock unhealthy habits.
The bottom line is this: adding juice to your diet is a great way to try new fruits and vegetables while increasing your nutrient intake. There is no scientific backing behind cleansing. For some, results are overwhelmingly positive. For others, primarily negative. Side affects include lack of energy, headaches, and dizziness. Homemade fruit and vegetable juices provide several health benefits, and are beneficial as part of a balanced and healthy diet.
Green Machine:
Apples – 3 medium
Celery – 4 stalk, large
Ginger Root – 1/4 thumb
Lemon (with rind) – 1/2 fruit
Orange (peeled) – 1 large
Spinach – 5 handful
Combing ingredients in juicer and enjoy!
– Becca DeVries