08.12 Juice Cleanses ~ Health or Hype?

Here to shed some light on all the juice fast hype is Valerie Orsoni, creator of the #1 online health coaching program in the world, www.LeBootcamp.com. Valerie and her team of over 35 experts, including leading doctors, nutritionists and fitness professionals researched this trend and want to let you know the truth. And the truth is that, overall, juice cleanses are simply not a good idea.

WHY?

Sugar overload ~ most of the juices are packed with sugar, which is not what your system needs, even if it is natural sugar.

Satisfaction ~ studies have shown that chewing food tells your brain that you are full (this is why many people say to chew gum when dieting). It’s difficult to feel full and satisfied on a juice cleanse.

Anti-social ~ a juice cleanse overtakes your life, which is not what a health program should do. It’s very awkward to go to lunch with friends or have people over for dinner on a cleanse. Therefore, you put your life on hold and feel deprived.

Habits ~ Like most fads, juice cleanses are a quick fix that don’t change behavior or habits, which experts know is the ONLY way to lose weight long-term. As soon as the cleanse is done, you will go back to your old ways.

Role model ~ if you have kids or younger siblings, you are setting a terrible example by living on juice, promoting unhealthy eating habits and sending the wrong message about health.

Detox ~ Juice cleanses promise major detox, but you can’t flush out toxins just by drinking juice.

Cost ~ The average person cannot afford these cleanses. It’s much cheaper to eat healthy food!

Valerie and her team reviewed some of the most popular cleanses (listed below) and came to the conclusion that for the most part, they are expensive, unappealing, and largely ineffective (if not dangerous):

➢   The Master Cleanse (aka Lemonade Diet  or Maple Syrup Diet
➢   The Blueprint Cleanse
➢   The Cooler Cleanse
➢   The Red Carpet Cleanse (aka “Signature Juice Cleanse”)
➢   The Clean Program
➢   Fat Flush / Smoothie Shakedown
➢   David Kirsch 48-hour Cleanse
➢   Apple Cider Vinegar cleanse
➢   Jill’s Cleanse

So forget all these fads and take a look instead at Valerie’s fact-based, cost-effective suggestions for healthy detox/cleansing and weight loss.

A CLEANSE-STARTER

If you want to give it a try, Valerie recommends you start your day with a raw smoothie (coconut milk + 1 banana + 2 tbs raw chocolate + vanilla extract + 1 tbs agave nectar). Add more greens to your meals and reduce all processed foods to a minimum, or even better, eliminate them all together.

TO FLUSH OUT TOXINS THAT ARE ALREADY PRESENT

Exercise: sweating is one of the easiest ways to detoxify your body (more powerful than any juice or supplement)

Sweat: go to a sauna or steam room (to achieve the same effect)

Eat: consume proven detoxifying foods on a regular basis. My top ten detox foods: apple, artichoke, banana, cress, avocado, beets, cruciferae, garlic, tofu, prunes. Rx: incorporate 5 detox foods per day.

Lemon: start your day with a freshly squeezed lemon in room-temperature water to support your liver functions.

Juices In Moderation: make your own juices using Valerie’s top ten detox foods. You will save your precious dollars (buying already-made juices is very expensive), you’ll know that your juice is totally fresh (not pasteurized and not made hours, if not days, ago), and you will learn how to experiment and create flavors that you like. An extra tip? Use cucumber as your basis for your detox juices; it’s very low in calories, very high in detoxifying elements. and highly alkalizing.

LONG-TERM DETOX

•   eliminate processed foods as much as possible
•   reduce stress with yoga, meditation, exercise
•   get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
•   quit smoking and curb your alcohol intake

DAILY DETOX

•   eat 5 detoxifying foods per day
•   have one day per week when you only eat the 10 detox foods
•   start your day with your very own Morning Boost (1 apple + 2 carrots + 1/2 cucumber + 1 slice of ginger ~ weekly cost? $7!)
•   drink alcalinizing water all day long: simply add lemon (o cucumber) slices to your water

To read more about Valerie, please visit www.LeBootcamp.com ~ and always consult your physician before starting any new diet plan!