Juice Fast....
Well, I am planning on starting my juice fast next Saturday. Just a mini one. Eight or nine days.
Needless to say, I can't find my juice fast book but as I have done them before, I am not worried. For my birthday last Monday, my sister gave me an amazing book. I started reading it today.
Called The Big Book Of Juices And Smoothies.
Has wonderful tips, knowledge and recipes. This is the book: http://www.amazon.ca/Big-Book-Juices-Smoothies-Vitality/dp/184483266X/ref=sr_1_1/702-2781766-5508022?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186345546&sr=1-1
After each recipe, the author give a five star rating on: Energy, Detox, Immunity, Digestion and Skin.
I have got all sorts of new ideas for juices and am making my grocery list now. As I am allergic to carrots, I needed alternatives. I mentioned sweet potatoes in a previous post. She thinks sweet potatoes are wonderful in juices as are parnips so now I have my alternatives.
Just thought I would share. Of course, juice fasting means I have no choice but to stop smoking. Same goes for drinking for the total fast.
If attempting a juice fast for the first time, I still strongly recommend this book: http://www.amazon.ca/Juice-Fasting-Detoxification-Healing-Power/dp/1878736655/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/702-2781766-5508022?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186346499&sr=8-1
It is very important how you start and end a fast. As well, exercise should be limited. Walking is about it as your body needs it strength to detox.
Di
Check out the book if you are into juicing or making smoothies.
I'd like to do a detox mainly because I was on so many prescription meds for the last 5 years. I've recently titrated off everything ~ no more prescriptions! Yayyy!! :) When doing a detox or juice fast do you get sick at all? Would I still be able to work or should I do it while I have some time off? Thanks
I guess that all depends on your system. When I've done juice fasts in the past it hasn't been a good idea to be very far from a bathroom the first day or two, if you know what I mean! :o
I'd like to do a detox mainly because I was on so many prescription meds for the last 5 years. I've recently titrated off everything ~ no more prescriptions! Yayyy!! :) When doing a detox or juice fast do you get sick at all? Would I still be able to work or should I do it while I have some time off? Thanks
If you get weekends off work, I would eat lightly on Thursday and Friday. Then start the fast on Saturday so that you are home for two days. Everyone is different. I never felt sick on either fast but my tongue was disgustingly gross. I felt truly energized.
The teaspoon of Epsom salt in water is good to take the morning you start the fast. It does clean you out though so stay close to the bathroom. As well, during a juice fast you still have some BM's but they are really insignificant. After the first day with the Epsom salt, I never had to run to the bathroom.
I'd like to do a detox mainly because I was on so many prescription meds for the last 5 years. I've recently titrated off everything ~ no more prescriptions! Yayyy!! :) When doing a detox or juice fast do you get sick at all? Would I still be able to work or should I do it while I have some time off? Thanks
Would I have to stop taking my birth control pills if I did a fast?
A juice fast sounds like a good idea, but what happens after your finish? Are you starving? I've heard little about this, but sounds like a really good way to clean you out!
I'd like to do a detox mainly because I was on so many prescription meds for the last 5 years. I've recently titrated off everything ~ no more prescriptions! Yayyy!! :) When doing a detox or juice fast do you get sick at all? Would I still be able to work or should I do it while I have some time off? Thanks
Would I have to stop taking my birth control pills if I did a fast?
Absolutely NOT!
A juice fast sounds like a good idea, but what happens after your finish? Are you starving? I've heard little about this, but sounds like a really good way to clean you out!
Try to check out this book. Maybe your library has it.
http://www.amazon.ca/Juice-Fasting-Detoxification-Healing-Power/dp/1878736655/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/702-2781766-5508022?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186421730&sr=8-1
When you stop the fast, you are not starving because your digestive juices haven't been used. You have to break a fast slowly. An apple, a couple of grapes, some broth. You slowly add food back to your diet. Depending on the length of your fast, you will lose weight but you apparently do not lose muscle mass. The only exercise you should do is walking. Your body is fighting to rid itself of toxins. It should not have to work at building muscle or handling cardio stuff.
Unfortunately, I gained the weight back because eventually went back to my bad eating habits. On the 32 day fast I think I lost at least 15 or 18 pounds. Not a healthy way to lose weight on a fad diet but can be quite normal during a fast and not unhealthy.
As Steve M says in the book, your body will not lose more weight than it needs to. In other words, you will not become anorexic. Boy, and if you want to know how to lose stomach bloat, a juice fast!
I have lost a lot of my stomach bloat in the last two weeks by just getting Diet Coke out of my life. If I can't find one of my 3 or 4 tape measures tonight, I will buy a new one tomorrow. Bummer though, I wish I had measured before giving up the Diet Coke.
I will measure before the fast and get weighed.
The difference for me this time is I actually plan on exercising at the end of the fast. Not the first couple of days other than walking but will then add in some cardio and weights and build up to longer sessions. I don't what this fast to go to waste. As well, I will have to quit smoking because you can't smoke or drink while fasting.
I'll try to look this book up in the library! But one more question. So when fasting, is it done with the intention of eating healthy after you fast? Say you already eat pretty healthy, what would be the point of a juice fast? Is there still a lot of food residue that is left in your system even if you are a fairly healthy eater?? Just curious, although I'm sure the book explains all of this :)
I'll try to look this book up in the library! But one more question. So when fasting, is it done with the intention of eating healthy after you fast? Say you already eat pretty healthy, what would be the point of a juice fast? Is there still a lot of food residue that is left in your system even if you are a fairly healthy eater?? Just curious, although I'm sure the book explains all of this :)
No, juice fasting or fasting of any type is to cleanse the body of toxins. Even if we eat fairly healthy, we still get pesticides, breathe bad air and generally need to give our organs a good cleansing. For those of us that don't necessarily eat well (me), it is a great opportunity to quit some bad habits and try harder after the fast. Even the healthiest eaters probably eat some processed foods or drink alcohol. This gives your liver a chance to take a break from that. I honestly think a fast every season is a good idea or at least twice a year. Although my last fast was probably 6 or 7 years ago so who am I to talk. I would like to start doing them 2 to 4 times a year but not 32 days like my last one. Maybe 7 to 10 days.
The book my sister gave me has such wonderful juice combinations. I just came in for a minute from sitting in the sun where I am going through all the recipes.
Now back to the sun and writing down my grocery list. I may need to go to a couple of stores next Thursday or Friday night because I want to buy as much organic as I can. Organic is better for a fast because we are really trying to get the pesticides etc., out of our bodies.
P.S. If you have headaches while fasting, don't take aspirin/Advil/Tylenol etc.
Hee hee hee. My last fast, I gave little quantities of my juice to Biko, my African Grey. He loved the juices. I would put a little in a small glass and he would have a drink. This time, I am going to include the budgies in this. Little dish with a very small amount. They will of course get more veggie juices than fruit juices. Just remember...birds and people alike, when you add beet to a juice, you may pee red! It is beet, not blood. I still remember the night I gave Biko juice with beet in it. The next morning he had red poops. I panicked and was about to call the vet and then I remembered!
Beet is very powerful. Do not use a whole beet in your juice. Start with 1/4 of a small beet. Huge liver detoxifier but very strong. Let your body build up to more beet. I know we can all eat more than one beet but juice is at his purest and strongest state. Don't shock your liver!
P.S. My birds are not going to go on a juice fast. I am just going to let them have a little juice each day for some bonus nutrients.
What do you use to juice stuff? I just have a regular old blender and it's dying.
The juice diet is fun, but watch out--- you may be on the toilet for awhile! :-[
What do you use to juice stuff? I just have a regular old blender and it's dying.
The juice diet is fun, but watch out--- you may be on the toilet for awhile! :-[
You need a juicer that extracts the pulp. You can't have the pulp. Oddly, enough, I was not in the bathroom more that I normally am. At work, I drink at least 10, 14ounce glasses of filtered water a day.
Make sure you all juice a lot of celery. When I did my first fast with the naturopathic nutritionist, she told me that celery helps keep the elasticity of your skin. So although there will be weight loss, your skin won't be hanging. It is the cellulose or something in it that is so very beneficial. Try to get celery in you every day of your fast.
Would I have to stop taking my birth control pills if I did a fast?
Probably not, unless you talk to your doctor first, or have concerns about the effects of it on you. However, when I do fasts, I always do then the week I'm getting my period, anyway. I find it helps the symptoms, and it seems like my body tries to detox at the same time, anyway. Needless to say, those are the days I'm not on the pill. If you were planning to fast for like, a month...that's a different story.
You mentioned being allergic to carrots... this is one of the least allergenic foods around. I'm wondering if perhaps you had a detox reaction with carrots previously. It's not uncommon during a juice fast to detox through the skin. This is especially true with chlorella but also in general with juice fasts. Some people develop a rash which is not an allergy but rather the chlorella chelating toxins and heavy metals.
I just wanted to let other people who haven't done a juice fast know that this can happen and it's a good thing- not something to worry about. These juice diets are powerful - and as I mentioned before can rid the body of cancer and other so-called terminal diseases. A good combination is carrots, beets, parsley, celery and a little apple if it's your first time juicing. If you have cancer make sure to have 10% cruciferous veggies such as kale, cabbage or broccoli. If you don't have cancer and have a low thyroid condition be aware that raw cruciferous vegetables can block thyroid- in general, I usually very lightly steam these vegetables rather than eat them raw. If you don't have low thyroid hormone then I wouldn't worry about juicing these vegetables. The stem of the broccoli is good to juice, too.
And for first time juicers it's good to eat raw foods for a couple of days on both ends of the juice diet before resuming a healthy vegetarian diet.
You mentioned being allergic to carrots... this is one of the least allergenic foods around. I'm wondering if perhaps you had a detox reaction with carrots previously. It's not uncommon during a juice fast to detox through the skin. This is especially true with chlorella but also in general with juice fasts. Some people develop a rash which is not an allergy but rather the chlorella chelating toxins and heavy metals.
I just wanted to let other people who haven't done a juice fast know that this can happen and it's a good thing- not something to worry about. These juice diets are powerful - and as I mentioned before can rid the body of cancer and other so-called terminal diseases. A good combination is carrots, beets, parsley, celery and a little apple if it's your first time juicing. If you have cancer make sure to have 10% cruciferous veggies such as kale, cabbage or broccoli. If you don't have cancer and have a low thyroid condition be aware that raw cruciferous vegetables can block thyroid- in general, I usually very lightly steam these vegetables rather than eat them raw. If you don't have low thyroid hormone then I wouldn't worry about juicing these vegetables. The stem of the broccoli is good to juice, too.
And for first time juicers it's good to eat raw foods for a couple of days on both ends of the juice diet before resuming a healthy vegetarian diet.
Oddly enough, I know a few people with carrot allergies and my holistic vet says it is not that uncommon. It is from the oil in carrots. She has also seen many pets with carrot allergies.
My throat closed while drinking the carrot juice (scared the crap out of me). Although, just to make sure I drank juice with carrots in it the next day. Stupid me! Since then I have been tested with the energy method used by naturopaths. Totally allergic to carrots. I can tolerate cooked ones. Just get totally congested. Probably because some of the oil in carrots burns or steams off. Raw carrots and I am in serious distress. Not willing to take that chance again.
The worst thing about it, I love carrots! My sister's friend is allergic to apples. We both developed these particular allergies in adulthood.
i am very interested in doing a detox (specifically juice) but am also extremely worried. i feel like it could be good to be getting almost no fiber + protein. and can you even get enough fat? how in the world can you sustain yourself on these for so long? i just ordered that book from the library so when it comes i will probably read up on it and start one. i am really looking into completely eliminating processed foods from my diet and i think this would be a good start.
i am mostly worried about the protein issue. and i think i would have freaked out about not being able to do much exercise but i just broke my toe so i think now would be a great time since i can't do much anyway :'(. also, is it mostly vegetable juices or about 50/50 veg and fruit? wouldn't you be getting A LOT of sugars (and with so little fiber wouldn't that be bad for blood sugar levels and in turn cholesterol( because increased insulin promotes creation of chol.)?)
clearly, i have a lot of questions about the nutrition of a longer sustained juice fast...
When you get the book, he will explain it all to you and it is such a little book, you will be able to read it in a day and then prepare for when you want to start. The reason I quit the 32 day fast is I could no longer drink carrots and I didn't know what to do. Veggie juice should probably be the staple of it. Although, you can always chuck an apple in it to sweeten it. I don't remember all the details about protein etc but people have done juice fasts way longer than my 32 day one.
The book will explain how and why it works.
I ended my second fast before I was ready because I worried about nearly all fruit, no veggies for the last week. The carrot allergy happened around the third week.
My first fast, the nutritionist told me I would know exactly when to end it. That I would want food. Sure enough, I was at work on day 16 and all I could think of is how much I wanted a apple. So that night I had one and that was the end of the fast.
The key to juice fasting is be prepared. Have a juicer. Have fruits and vegetables. Try not to cut the fruits or veggies until you are ready to juice. If you work or go to school, have a large thermos or a couple of them. Prepare your juice in the morning, not the night before. If you are at home, make it fresh and drink it. It starts to lose nutrients quickly.
Your body will not lose more fat than it needs to. The reason a fast works is because you aren't getting the fiber. Fiber is food and the idea is to shut down your digestive juices (your stomach). This allows your body to detox and heal. It allows your organs to work on healing and ridding your body of crap. You will not believe the energy and sense of well being you will have. It will totally amaze you. Hopefully you will get the book soon.
Sorry about your toe! I have broken my baby toe a few times and OW!
cool. well i am really excited about it, but that still doesn't leave me without worries. another nutrient i just thought about: Calcium? do you get enough from juicing greens, etc.?
and yes the toe is not fun... i also did my baby toe, right at the base. my foot it pretty swollen and discolored.
No need to worry about calcium when juicing. You will get plenty of nutrients provided you are drinking at least a quart of juice a day. You can add kale and broccoli to your carrot juice- they have plenty of calcium. Chlorella and spirulina give you alot of calcium and magnesium (in fact, more than milk!).
I was just reading a very intersting book about Magnesium. Apparently, the people who have the lowest incidence of osteoporosis actually have the lowest intake of calcium (500mg or less). The Japanese are an example of this. They have a very high intake of magnesium due to sea vegetables in proportion to calcium. The 3 countries that have the highest intake of calcium actually have the highest incidence of osteoporosis and heart disease (US, Australia and Sweden). So, you see, it's the balance of minerals, not any one mineral and studies are showing that Magnesium is actually needed in higher concentrations than Calcium.
I don't know if you have heard of Dr. Bernard Jensen (a well known herbalist and natural medicine healer) but he lived on carrot juice for a year when dealing with cancer at the age of 91. Oh, and he got rid of the cancer. I'm not sure he took vitamins but he did take large amounts of chlorella.
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