Juice Fasting

[maniacal-monkey.livejournal.com]

I have never posted to this community before, but I have enjoyed following it for quite some time. I have a health question related to juice fasting. I had a professor that used to do juice fasting for 2 weeks every year to "cleanse her body of toxins," et cetera. I thought that it was a bit strange at the time. Anyway, my eating habits have been horrible lately and I've had general malaise. So, I have been considering taking two weeks to do a juice fasting to see if I might feel revitalized. Does anyone here have any knowledge or experience with the advantages/disadvantages to doing this sort of thing? Thanks for your help.

Comments

[gezellig-girl.livejournal.com]

You'll probably have better luck asking here: fasting

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

aieee!! two weeks?? don't try 2 weeks for a start. try 48 hours at most. my dr recommends one day of fasting a week if you're going to fast. a hard fast out of the blue will flood your body with toxins and can make you really sick. definitely talk to people in the fasting community. i would NOT go with a hard fast, even a juice fast, if you have bad eating habits or have been on medication. the results can be really uncomfortable. there are other fasts that might be better for you, like a liquids only fast. nut milks and fresh juices and soy milk and miso broth can support the body while it cleanses itself. you're going to have consequences for eating badly and fasting will dump them all in your lap at once. one other note -- going cold turkey from caffiene can bring on terrible migraines. if you're a caffiene user like me, taper off, don't quit suddenly.

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

"aieee!! two weeks?? don't try 2 weeks for a start. try 48 hours at most"

I agree with Manhattan on this one, whenever I detox (which isn't often at all) I go one day without eating anything cooked or processed, just raw vegetables such as salad leaves, raw carrots, maybe an apple or banana, plenty of water and a cleansing herbal tea such as camomile and spearmint. Then over the next couple of days I gradually re-introduce cooked foods, but only something simple like oatmeal or some rice and vegetables. I've never done a fast, but I'd imagine that if you do a juice fast you should only do it for a day or two tops, fruit/veg juices are generally quite acidic so would probably irritate the stomach after a while.

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

"aieee!! two weeks?? don't try 2 weeks for a start. try 48 hours at most"

I agree with Manhattan on this one, whenever I detox (which isn't often at all) I go one day without eating anything cooked or processed, just raw vegetables such as salad leaves, raw carrots, maybe an apple or banana, plenty of water and a cleansing herbal tea such as camomile and spearmint. Then over the next couple of days I gradually re-introduce cooked foods, but only something simple like oatmeal or some rice and vegetables. I've never done a fast, but I'd imagine that if you do a juice fast you should only do it for a day or two tops, fruit/veg juices are generally quite acidic so would probably irritate the stomach after a while.

[maniacal-monkey.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your responses. I intend to gather as much reliable information as possible before actually pursuing this. I have always had a Benjamin Franklin attitude toward food -"Eat to live, not live to eat." I've just been super busy and some what lazy lately about preparing food, so I have resorted to eating quick and frankly more unhealthy foods.

I checked out the fasting community. Postings/followings seem scarce and most seem interested in fasting for the purpose of weight lose. I realize that this community is primarily for vaginal/reproductive health questions, but I thought that I'd give my inquiry a go here anyway.

Thanks again.

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

Juice Fasting and Detoxification by Steve Meyerowitz is one of the most thorough and responsible books on fasting i've ever read. i really recommend it. there must be a community out there for detoxing. i'm embarking on a major diet-change and detox myself, i'm just making up my list of herbs and supplements. i'd be happy to talk about this offlist. :)

*Shrug*

[linzbinz.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna be totally honest- I don't know a single thing about fasting... But just remember- juice is TOTALLY loaded with sugar...and that could throw off the pH of your vagina, which could lead to a yeast infection... Good luck! *hug*

[ex-trivial387.livejournal.com]

i wouldn't suggest a 2 week fast right away. start slow - a one day juice fast, or raw fruit only fast this month. next month try a 2 day juice/raw fruit fast. the most i've ever done with a total juice fast was 3 days.

usually when i fast, it goes like this:
1st day - cut out caffeine/alcohol/junk food/fried stuff (and meat, if i ate it)
2nd day - cut "heavy" carbs and dairy (rice and pasta)
3rd day - cut all carbs (bread, etc)
4th day - cut everything that isn't raw and fresh fruits or veggies
5th day - just juice/water
6th day - just water

and then i reverse, adding foods back in each day. and drink lots and lots of water througout. i try to do this once a year, and i generally feel great afterwards. but you may want to check with your doctor just in case.