It’s not just about your home.
A cleanse can also be good for your stomach. Juice cleanses have been around for some time. They are popular with models and influencers, but also with people who want to detoxify and include more fruits and vegetables in their diet.
Also, we know there are pros and cons to cleansing, especially if done wrongly or for too long, as well as for the wrong reasons like extreme weight loss.
We spoke with Mia Sy, MS, and RDN to learn more about cleansing and how to detox responsibly.
We then listed our top picks to help you cleanse your body or add some nutrients to your diet.
You can read the entire article or jump to a specific section.
What is a juice cleanse?
Juice cleanses can be either all-in or gradual. The base is usually a blend of fruit and vegetable juices. It’s packed with leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and other nutrients like carrots, beets green apples, and lemons.
Many people believe that detoxing the body means removing processed foods from the body and allowing only fresh and organic fruits and vegetables to be consumed for the duration. You are allowed to eat certain foods in non-juice forms if you feel hungry. This also makes it easier to chew.
A cleanse should not be used to lose weight. This is because a calorie deficit is not sustainable, and can cause poor nutrition and unhealthy eating habits. This is why a cleanse should only be done for a few days, and you follow the appropriate before-and-after-care.
Juice cleansing can be done in a more gradual fashion, where juices are consumed with small meals throughout the day. This kind of eating gives your body a boost of fruits, and vegetables and doesn’t deprive you. Other nutrients such as protein, carbs, and healthy fats are also available. This method of drinking juices is less restrictive and easier to keep, making it an excellent option for trying out the waters.
What should I do to prepare my body for a cleanse?
It’s not a good idea to eat a large meal before you cleanse, even though you might miss cheeseburgers.
You can begin to ease into a cleanse by making it less stressful for your body.
your diet accordingly. Reduce or eliminate stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and foods high in sugar, fat, and refined carbohydrates,” Syn said.
What do I do when the cleanse is done?
If you want to feel good, ending a cleanse won’t mean the end of your health journey. Syn shared some tips to help you get out of the cleanse.
“After cleansing, you can focus on healthy whole foods like the same fruits or vegetables.
Syn. Avoid foods high in fat and added sugar. Continue to stay hydrated as you introduce new foods.
Is there any safety concern when doing a juice cleanse
Like any diet change or restriction, it is important to make sure you are mentally and physically healthy enough to participate. Juice cleansing is not recommended for anyone who wants to quickly lose weight or replace all food. It can lead to disordered eating. A visit to a doctor or nutritionist is recommended for anyone who is pregnant, nursing or has any other health issues.
Syn warned that juices with low calories and high protein can cause dizziness and headaches. “It is also important to remember that when calories are restricted, the body will regain them, so a juice fast is not an option for anyone looking to lose weight.
The duration of the treatment is another concern. Syn recommends no longer than three days. It is important to listen to your body, and eat whole foods whenever you feel the need.
Review: The best juice cleanses and companies to try in 2023
1. Raw Generation
Raw Generation offers a wide range of delicious juices and cleanses. It only uses 100% natural, plant-based ingredients that you can see on the label. They also offer green juices, carrots, and other goodies. You can also choose the flavors and ingredients that you like to make your own box. The boxes are shipped right to your home.
Flavors Sweet Greens (apple and kale), Cool Greens [pineapple and cucumber], Tart Greens (“apple, spinach”), Citrus Carrot (“orange, carrot”), Sweet Roots (“an apple, beet”)
Our review: You can find a detailed breakdown of the service right here. But, for a quick taste, here’s what you need to know. Personally, I liked the non-green flavor the best. They were fresher and sweeter than the greens. It provided a refreshing break from the monotony of the day. The Sweet Greens drink made from apple and kale was my favorite of all three greens flavors. It is also the one I started and finished the day with.
I liked how the labels included the ingredients in an easy-to-read way. I was able to see the nutritional information and compare it to other diets.
2. Suja Organic
Suja Organic is a specialist in cold-pressed organic juices that you can take with you wherever you go. They sell both shots and juices on Amazon. These are smaller and more convenient to add to any diet for extra nutrients.
Flavors – Vibrant Probiotic, strawberry, raspberry, Uber Greens, cucumber, celery, Mighty Dozen, apple, celery), Celery Juice, Fuel (carrot and orange). Also available are digestion shots (ginger and pineapple).
Our review: These juices taste just like juice and are not meant to be consumed as a health beverage or forced consumption. Each cold-pressed juice has a different juice percentage, calories, and sugars, depending on its flavor. These were added to my regular diet as an alternative to drinking only juice. I found it a delicious addition to my meals and a quick pick-me-up after work when my blood sugar was dropping.
It is very appealing because it clearly identifies what you will find inside and the percentage of each juice. The juices are chilled and can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Pros:
- There are many flavors to choose from and immunity shots available.
- It has a delicious flavor, similar to regular fruit juice in some flavors
- It’s easy to include in your diet
- Get cleanses and juices that will improve your quality of life
- Wellness messaging is more important than weight loss
- It is light and not as thick as a smoothie
- It’s fun to make immunity shots and they taste great.
Cons:
- Certain flavors may contain more sugar, juice, and calories than others, so be sure to read the labels.
3. Your Super
These drink mixes from Your Super are great alternatives to buying a lot of bottles. You get a month’s supply of each powder in the Detox Bundle, which includes five different flavors and combinations that will help you feel great.
Flavors –Gut Feeling: (celery. lemon. ginger), Golden Mellow. (turmeric. coconut milk), Super Green. (wheatgrass. spirulina), Forever Beautiful. (chia. acai), and Skinny Protein. (pea protein. hemp protein).
Our review: This is not a traditional juice cleanse. It’s a combination of protein powders, smoothie powders, and other healthy drinks that work together to detox. We decided to include them in the roundup because they provide similar benefits for adding nutrients to your diet via liquid.
Each formula was different, which I loved. I found it refreshing to not be restricted by just drinking juices or making smoothies. The Super Green and Gut Feeling can be mixed with water to make a shot or a juice, while the Golden Mellow acts as a latte protein. Skinny Protein and Forever Beautiful are both smoothie add-ins. The 5-Day-Detox Set also includes a pamphlet with detailed instructions and a list of ingredients for smoothies, salads, and other foods to enjoy over the course of the five days. )
Pros:
- This cleanse is not a “just-juice” one. It’s a combination of smoothies, lattes, and other drinks.
- Powders are easy to store and use in convenient containers that can be stored on a shelf.
- Instead of weight-focused messaging, wellness messaging
- Nutrients are more than just for digestion. They also have a positive effect on skin, hair, and hormone levels.
- Concentrated flavor. A little goes a very long way.
Cons:
- A blender is required to make smoothies and milk (optional).
- This is not a traditional juice cleanse
- Powdery when consumed by itself or with milk. It is best to use an electric mixer or shaker bottle.
