Juicing, Juice Cleanse & Refeeding

My clients often ask me what’s the difference between a juice cleanse, juice fast, and juice feast. Well, they all mean different things depending on who you ask.

Juice Cleanse, Juice Fast, Juice Feast

Typically these terms refer to consuming nothing but fresh fruit and vegetable juice and water for a period of time, anywhere from 1 day to a year. Yes, I recently read about a guy who juiced for an entire year. Very inspiring stuff!

The terms differ with regard to connotation:

• Juice fast brings up a mentality of scarcity, lack, deprivation, or giving something up. It may be associated with the desire to lose weight or practice a juice fast for spiritual reasons.
• Juice feast highlights the abundance of delicious fresh fruit and veggie juice. Juice feasting is appropriate for those who do not want to lose weight and want to feel fully satisfied with more than enough juice. It is a great option for men and those who are active and have greater energy needs.
• Juice cleanse focuses on cleansing the body, mind, and spirit of harmful substances and behaviors, while replacing those with feelings of contentment and peace, a lack of cravings, a desire for fresh fruits and veggies, and a number of physical health benefits. This is my preferred term.

I recommend that clients start where they are. For some, the idea of living on only juice and water is overwhelming. For these folks, I recommend including fresh fruit. Some people choose to include herbal tea and coconut water. It is really up to you and your goals for the experience.

The time and place for cleansing vs. juicing

Both are great and have a time and a place.

Juicing is safe for pretty much anyone in any walk of life. It doesn’t require an individual to give up anything at all. Having a juice or two a day is an INCREDIBLY healthy way to add in a lot more fresh fruits and veggies than you would normally consume. It’s an easy access point into eating in a healthier, more conscious manner.

Juicing will naturally help reduce cravings for processed and unnatural food-like substances. Regular juicing contributes to healthy weight loss and maintenance. It provides a healthy source of energy, and is a great substitute for morning coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages.

A juice cleanse is a great option for someone who wants to reset their taste buds and their habits to allow for deeper healing. It’s an opportunity to begin cleaning the system out.

Cleansing will relieve the digestive tract of its burden in digesting foods that were never meant to be consumed in the first place.

During the cleanse, people report:

• more energy
• mental clarity
• sense of well-being and calm
• decreased bloating
• relief from constipation
• clearer skin
• soft hair and skin
• clear eyes
• relief from congestion
• decreased joint pain and stiffness
• reduced inflammation
• increased hydration
• weight loss

Refeeding

The most important part of the cleanse is what happens afterwards. My cleansers have consistently reported a lack of cravings for unhealthy and processed foods. They’ve reported not enjoying candy and not reaching for unhealthy foods. They haven’t been enjoying rich foods as much when they do indulge and do not enjoy feeling bloated and terrible afterwards. Even those who weren’t really big fruit and veggie eaters find themselves really enjoying the taste of an apple or stalk of celery.

After the cleanse, you have a perfect opportunity to implement healthier, lasting dietary changes that will allow you to preserve the amazing results from your cleanse.

Health is created on the basis of what we do most of the time on a day-to-day basis. Transitioning to a plant-based diet is an excellent way to preserve your results and seek greater levels of health and happiness.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.