Juice Fasting for Weight Loss

Juice fasting for weight loss is not only considered a weight loss plan, but also as a detoxification diet. An intake of raw vegetable and fruit juice and water is used instead of the normal solid diet. Juice fasting is advocated because of the juices being a good source of vitamins and antioxidants are helpful to the body. It is also considered as a detoxification diet, because the body is cleaned of toxins by this method.

Tips for Juice Fasting to Lose Weight

Juice fasting for weight loss is normally done for a period of one to three days. A longer juice fast needs medical supervision and monitoring, to ensure that nutrient deficiencies do not occur. Here, we have some of the common tips to help a person while opting for a juice fast.

• A juice fast should be carried out during the warmer months. It is most effective during the spring which is also regarded as the best time for this fasting.
• Juice fasting requires a person to reduce intake of some food for seven days prior to the fast. The food that needs to be avoided includes alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, and eggs. During the pre-fasting days a preparation diet of organic fruits, vegetables, and beans is considered the best.
• Regular intake of juices between 32 and 64 ounces per day is a necessary during the fast. The intake can be spread out and sipped throughout the day.
• The diet should be inclusive of typical fruits and vegetables like celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. It is advisable to avoid citric fruits from the fasting diet.
• A juice fast should be supplemented with approximately 6 glasses of water everyday. A similar quantity of warm filtered water is recommended in addition to the juice.
• A juice fast is more beneficial if organic fruits and vegetables are used instead of the regular stuff.
• Inorganic food used, should be used by peeling the skin off the fruits and vegetables after a through washing. The foods should be washed in a non-toxic cleaner, available in most of health food stores.
• If juices obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables are not available, then the juices from health food stores, or juice bar can be used.
• Juices from green vegetables and sprouts are recommended, as they have high chlorophyll pigments, beneficial for the body.
• A combination of fruits and vegetables juices is recommended as it gives a combination of nutrients.
• People who cannot go on a complete juice fast can have a single meal in a day, along with the juice.
• There are certain fruits and vegetables parts, which should be avoided. These include fruits with pits and seeds such as, peach, apricots, cherries and fruit peels from apple, citrus fruits, carrot and rhubarb tops.
• Fruits with tough skins such as kiwi, pineapple, mangoes, bananas and avocados should also be excluded from the diet.
• Grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice should not be used during a juice fast, especially by people taking certain prescription drugs.

Who Should Avoid Juice Fasting?

Juice fasting is not favorable for people having special conditions, as it deprives the body of nutrients that come from solid foods. A body going through a fasting period faces periods of weaknesses, that can be harmful for unfavorably indisposed people. Juice fasting or any sort of fasting is harmful for pregnant, nursing women or children. And those who will be undergoing or have undergone surgery, should not do a juice fast. People suffering from diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, kidney disease and liver disease can face problems with a juice diet.

People with conditions like malnutrition, addictions, underweight, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions should avoid a juice fast or do so under a strict medical supervision. People taking prescription drugs or medications should avoid juice, as it can affect the reaction of drugs to the body. It is advisable for a person planning to take a juice fast, to consult a health professional, who is an expert in detox diet.

Possible Side Effects of Juice Fasting

Juice fasting for weight loss is an effective way of losing weight, but it can also lead to side effects like headaches, tiredness, hypoglycemia, constipation, acne, increased body odor, and bad breath. A juice fast can also lead to fainting, dizziness, low blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, weight loss, hunger, vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney problems.

Though, there are side effects to this type weight loss, a person gains a lot more than the possible side effects. Juice fasting for weight loss not only helps in decreasing the weight but also acts as a detoxification diet for the body.