It usually starts out a little something like this, “Hey Tommie, what do you think about juice cleanses?”  My first response is always, “Why do you want to do a juice cleanse?”  Almost always the answer is, “Well, I thought it might help me get a jump start on my weight loss goals.  I just want to get a little bit ahead of the game, and then I’ll start eating healthy.”

It might seem like a good idea and even one we could stick to, but there is usually a good amount of restriction and the ALL or NOTHING approach to these types of detoxes and juice cleanses.  We restrict and cleanse for 3-5 days, and then all we can think about is all the food we aren’t able to eat, so after the cleanse or detox is over, we usually end up binging on our favorite foods.

Watch the Video Below for Further Clarification

Quick Break Down of the Video:

I think doing cleanses, detoxes, and juice/liquid diets are not the best way to jump start weight loss.  All it’s going to do is jump start a Yo-Yo cycle.  You may lose weight initially, but these extreme conditions are not sustainable, and the extremes will either cause you to binge on junk food, or you will gain the weight back just by eating your normal diet again.

Also, the Yo-Yo cycle is not good for us to do long term.  It damages the metabolism, making weight and fat loss even harder, especially as we age.

When Might I use Detoxes, Cleanses, and Green Drinks or Juices:

1.  To cure a Medical Issue:  People with Cancer, Candida, &/or Digestion Issues may benefit and become healthier by doing cleanses or detoxes.  However, cleanses and detoxes are best overseen by a Homeopathic, Naturopathic, or Medical Doctor for the best results.  Please don’t start taking weird supplements or drinks that you don’t understand.

2.  Food Elimination Diet:  There are people who have major digestive issues, chronic pain, &/or major bloating after or between meals.  This is a situation where it may be appropriate to do a cleanse or detox before certain food groups are eliminated to find the food allergen or cause of the previous mentioned symptoms.  Again, this is best overseen by a medical professional.

3.  Drinking Green Drinks or Smoothies CAN make you healthier!  Drinking Greens/smoothies are a great way to balance the PH of the body and make it easier for you to burn fat and build muscle.  There are tons of vitamins and minerals in these types of drinks.  However, watch the SUGAR content.  A drink composed of mainly fruits will make the sugar content way too high and will be detrimental to fat loss.  Look for a drink that is under 10 grams of sugar.  I would use this drink as a snack or a quick meal on the go.

Ask yourself, this ONE Question…

Before you start your next cleanse, detox, or juice diet, ask yourself,  “Can I eat this way or do this plan FOREVER?”  If the answer is, “NO,” then most likely the RESULTS that you’ll receive from this restrictive approach will be temporary and not sustainable!

In my opinion, the best way to jump start your fat or weight loss, would be to start incorporating a source of lean protein and veggies at most meals.

Click HERE to Start Building Healthier Meals with my FREE Lean Eating Guide!

There is a psychological satisfaction of chewing food, so drinking liquid meals will leave us feeling deprived, searching for more food, and we won’t be able to keep this up for the long term.

If you want to add a Green Drink or Smoothie to improve your health, I suggest using it as a snack, or replace breakfast with it, as it’s easy to to do when we are on the go!

What has been your experience with green drinks, juices, &/or cleanses?  I’d love to hear your thoughts or suggestions in the comments below!

Thanks for Stopping By,
Tommie