A juice cleanse is a great way to reset your body and give it a break
from all the processed and refined food that is detrimental to your health. In
a juice cleanse, you replace solid food with liquids like juice, with a few
exceptions. However, drinks with caffeine or alcohol are not allowed so that
your body can eliminate all the accumulated toxic materials and restore optimal
health.
If you are considering a juice cleanse, avoiding your favorite food and
drinks may feel overwhelming. However, abstinence will be worth the effort once
you do a juice cleanse and experience the health benefits. But before doing a
juice cleanse, it is important to prepare your body; this article has got you
covered. Read on for some helpful tips.
Prepare yourself mentally
A juice cleanse can be challenging, particularly if you have not done
it before or are not used to diet restrictions. One of the first questions you
may ask is “Can I eat on a juice cleanse?” Usually,
individuals are advised to avoid their regular diet and take raw vegetables and
fruits only, and this may seem difficult to many, causing apprehension and
anxiety.
Hence, before you start a juice cleanse, prepare yourself mentally and
have a positive mindset by reminding yourself of the purpose of the juice
cleanse and the health benefits you will enjoy.
Hydrate well
Water is important for cleansing, so before you start your juice
cleanse, ensure to drink an adequate amount of water. The recommended intake is
eight glasses daily, which may seem like a lot if you do not drink enough
otherwise. If you cannot drink plain water that much, add a bit of lemon or
mint to refresh the flavor.
Improve your sleep routine
During a juice cleanse, your body will work overtime to compensate for
the absence of a normal diet from your routine. Hence, you must take measures
to ensure your body is in optimal health. For this, you must get a good night's sleep daily so that your body
gets the time to restore itself, repair the cells, and maintain your organ
functions. Start sleeping early before starting your juice cleanse so that by
the time you start, your body is adjusted to getting sufficient sleep and rest.
Drink juice every day
If you are new to juicing, add juice to your daily routine before you
commit to a proper juice cleanse. This way, your body will get accustomed to
drinking juices; before you know it, you will find yourself craving healthy
food.
You can try many kinds of juices; for instance, green juices with kale
and cucumber with a dash of honey, lemon, or mint can improve digestion, boost
your immunity, and reduce inflammation.
Wean off coffee
Alcohol can caffeine serve as stimulants for the body, and it is
advised to avoid these for a juice cleanse as you want to bring the body to an
alkaline state. Eliminating coffee abruptly from your routine for juice may not
work well, especially if you are used to drinking three or four cups daily.
To make it easier, start weaning off coffee slowly a few days before
starting the cleanse. It will help you cope better with withdrawal symptoms
like headache, irritability, or fatigue, and you will also be able to overcome
your cravings. You can also initially swap your regular coffee with black
coffee or tea before eliminating it altogether.
Remove junk food from your diet
Besides coffee and alcohol, it is also time to part ways with processed
or fried food and elements that cause inflammation. This includes refined
carbohydrates, processed meats, seed oils, sugar, etc. Intake of these foods
prevents the body from reaching autophagy, a process whereby the body optimizes
its energy reserves and nutrient supply.
Depending on your routine diet, start with reducing the amount of
processed food you eat in a day so as not to shock your digestive system and
eliminate it eventually.
Adjust your regular diet
In addition to removing junk or processed food from your diet, you must
also adjust your diet. Avoid overly cooked, preserved, or processed food and
add healthier options like gluten-free grains like millet or quinoa, steamed
vegetables, salads, fruits, fresh juices, smoothies, etc. Reducing your calorie
intake is also a good idea to help your body get accustomed to taking juices,
mostly during cleansing.
Prepare your body physically
Besides getting a positive mindset, improving water intake, and making
diet adjustments, you must also change other lifestyle elements like physical
activity. Begin with gentle, low-impact activities like walking or yoga, and
make it part of your routine even after the juice cleanse. This will aid the
detoxification process and may also help in weight loss over time.
Final Thoughts
Planning properly for the days when you will be doing the juice cleanse
is important. Your body will be working hard as is, so don't overexert yourself
and try to plan it for the days when your schedule won’t be too hectic or busy.
Take some time to clear out your refrigerator of the foods you want to
avoid during the juice cleanse and stock it up with items you will need during
that period. With the eight simple tips suggested in this article, you can
easily prepare your body for a successful juice cleanse and enjoy its health
benefits. Hence, being prepared for a juice cleanse will make your experience
comfortable and rewarding.