That One Time I Went On A Juice Cleanse…
I started Weekly Bite over five years ago. In the span of those years I’ve been offered by various company’s to try a three-day raw juice cleanse in exchange for a review on my website. As a Dietitian I have always advised my clients against going on any type of extreme cleanse, detox, fast, or gimmicky diet. Yes, weight loss will happen on these diets, but the weight immediately returns with normal eating. Lifestyle change is the key.
After years of being offered to try a juice cleanse and years of advising my clients against it, I finally caved and said yes. I figured it was time I put my money where my mouth is. The claim to the juice cleanse was that it would ‘reset my body’ and I would ‘feel energized and cleansed’. For the record my intentions were to not lose weight. I eat healthy and exercise. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
By the end of day 1 I was starving and I really missed eating. I drank a ton of water to fill the hunger void. Day 2 and 3 were the same as day 1 but the hunger was much worse. The hunger was so bad it kept me up half the night. I went online to look up the calories of the juices and they added up to roughly over 900 calories per day. That is 300 calories less then the minimum (1200) one should eat to lose weight. Especially for someone like me who is an avid runner. At the end of the juice cleanse I did not feel like it ‘reset my body’ and I definitely did not feel ‘energized’. I felt hungry, cranky, and exhausted from lack of sleep. The strange thing is, before I did this juice cleanse I loved drinking raw juices throughout the day, now I don’t drink them as often, or at all.
I did lose weight, most of which was water weight. After the juice cleanse I reintroduced regular foods in moderation and most definitely ate pizza the next day. I will continue to advise my clients against going on any type of extreme cleanse, detox, fast, or gimmicky diet. If one feels like a ‘cleanse type’ change is needed, start by making simple lifestyle changes.
- Incorporate more whole foods and less processed foods.
- Reduce intake of refine sugar (candy, sugared cereals, etc..)
- Include fruits and vegetable in every meal.
- Listen to your body and eat when you are physically hungry.
- Exercise because it makes your body feel good.
- Drink plenty of water
The key is to make it a lifestyle change. Always ask “Can I eat this way for the rest of my life?”
I have never been on a juice cleanse and I never will. I’m glad you tried and wrote about it honestly though. Just the confirmation I needed. 🙂
One time, years ago, I tried an apple cleanse. I was experiencing really bad skin breakouts and this cleanse was supposed to help clear my skin. Only apples for 3 days. I lasted until 11am on day 1. No joke.