Do juice cleanses deliver on their promise?
- Feel energised
- Boost your immune system
- Strengthen your bones
- Make your skin glow
- Aid weight loss
These are just a few of the many benefits plugged by the vast number of juicing companies.
I totally understand why a juice cleanse appears a popular choice with our clients. These colourful bottles of juice hold the promise of instant weight loss, an easy body detox and a kickstart to the metabolism. But at what long term cost? Are juice cleanses doing more harm than good?
Juice for thought;
1. Are you drinking juice to replace real food?
If you are, you will be lacking vital nutrients your body needs;
Fibre – This is key. It keeps us fuller for longer and prevents over eating.
Protein – Another biggy for me. Again, fills us for longer and allows us to build and maintain lean muscle. As we know, lean muscle burns calories – even at rest
2. Most juice cleanses total 1000 – 1200 calories a day.
What do you think this will do to your metabolism? It will slow it down dramatically. Also, with such low calories your body is likely using muscle tissue for it’s energy source rather than fat. Another low point of low calorie regimes.
3. Have you given thought to your post-cleanse menu?
When you begin to eat solid foods again, any ‘weight’ that has been lost will simply be put back on in the form of fat cells. I have seen clients finish a juice cleanse and go for steak and chips that night at an event. Short term win as they may appear ‘skinnier’ for the event. Long term loss due to the damage to the metabolism.
4. Sugar.
Most juice cleanses are fruit based. In turn usually meaning high in natural sugar. Also, without the fibre, we tend to absorb fructose sugar more easily. Often overworking our livers and turning fructose into fat.
Summary
For me, a cleanse/detox is simply – put less rubbish in and there will be less rubbish to rid. Don’t get me wrong, I am big fan of my curry’s and boozy nights, but I also understand that I can’t expect my body & brain to perform at peak levels if I haven’t been fuelling it correctly.
So, when I want to cleanse, I slowly start to peel back my rubbish, one at a time, bit by bit. Never eliminating anything altogether just gaining control and making informed decisions about what I am putting into my body.
Let’s also remind ourselves that our bodies are pretty incredible things and they naturally do an amazing job of keeping things clean – Thank you Mr. Liver and Mr. Kidney!
I am often known to help these guys along with a boosting drink for a few days, every couple of months. Try it!
- Udo’s Oil – 2 Tbsp to 1/3 cup.
- Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice, 1/3 cup
- Fresh garlic, 3-5 cloves
- Fresh ginger, 1/2 inches
- Cayenne Pepper, dash to taste
- Freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 cups
Blend, savour and let us know how you get on!
