How to do a Juice Fast

A juice fast is a good way to allow the digestive system to rest for a bit, while the rest of the body rids itself from accumulated toxins. The fast can last anywhere from a day to 40 days depending on how well the body responds to it. If the body is toxic or malnourished, it will not be able to endure 40 days. Instead it might only be a day or so until the detox symptoms become intolerable.

Fasting for a day or even half a day, however, is beneficial as it will begin the cleansing process that will enable the body to fast for longer at the second attempt. Therefore, you might want to start off with a one-day fast and work up to a three-day fast and so on. It is important to listen to the body and fast accordingly.

A juice fast is a safe, yet effective cleanse that purges toxins from the body. The more toxins that are present, the worse one will feel during the fast. Therefore, it is important to somewhat prepare the body prior to the fast in order to make it easier on the mind and body during the fast. The best way to do this is to start eliminating toxic foods several weeks prior to the juice fast.

Toxic foods include processed and refined foods, fast foods, most baked goods and desserts. Basically anything that contains any kind of artificial ingredients should be avoided. Meat and other animal products should also be avoided or reduced as they take a long time to digest.

Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are encouraged prior to the fast in order to get the cleaning process started. They are not only easy to digest, but they are also high in fiber, which naturally cleans the digestive tract. The cleaner the digestive tract, the easier it is to do the fast.

It is very important to consume plenty of fresh juice during the fast. Fresh juice can be made from just about any fruits and vegetables by using an inexpensive juicer. The produce can also be blended up in a blender and strained through a nut milk bag in order to obtain the juice.

The fresh juice is loaded with many nutrients that are easily absorbed into the body. It will help to minimize the hunger that is often associated with fasting. If you have never fasted before, hunger will be inevitable. However, you should still consume plenty of juice in order to restore nutrients and cleanse the body at a deeper level.

In regards to juice, you should try and stay away from the stuff available at the grocery store because those juices usually contain high amounts of sugar or other unnatural ingredients that you do not want to put into your body at a time of cleansing.

In addition to the juice, you can also take a natural fiber, such as psyllium, which will increase the amount of waste that is eliminated during the fast.

The first few days of the juice fast are generally the most difficult. This is the time when the stomach has to readjust to not receiving any solid food. It is also the time when the most toxins are released from the body, and the detox symptoms, such as headaches and changes in the mood are the worst. After the first 3 days it gets noticeably easier as the hunger is not as severe, thus allowing most individuals to carry on a normal life.

After the fast, it is very important to stick to a clean diet and introduce the foods gradually as the stomach readjusts to the foods again. It is important to avoid heavily processed foods or at least keep them at a minimum as they will defeat the purpose of the fast. Eating foods in large quantities will also destroy the benefits of the fast because it puts a lot of strain on the digestive system. It is important to listen to the body and eat accordingly in order for the benefits of the juice fast to last.

Fasting can interfere with the action of certain medications and health conditions. Therefore, it is vital that all individuals who are on medications speak with a trusted health care provider before engaging in a juice fast.

It is definitely not recommended for the pregnant and nursing mothers, or for those suffering from diabetes and anemia.