Last week I did a 3-day
Pressed Juices cleanse, my 3rd to date, so I thought it was time to share my thoughts on it, and answer some FAQ's .
My biggest concern when I first tried a juice cleanse was being hungry. To say I love to eat is an understatement. Some people eat to live, I live to eat. My first ever juice cleanse (by a company different to Pressed Juices) did not go that well, because by 10am I was obsessing over food and what I was going to eat. Admittedly, I was just getting over a really bad flu, and it was in the middle of Winter. Because of that, when I did my first PJ cleanse, I may have overcompensated, and tried choosing all the most nutrient-rich and filling juices and smoothies from the choices I was given (I love that we can choose our own juices/mylks/smoothies with Pressed Juices). I needn't have worried about being hungry, quiet the opposite in fact, I was playing 'catch-ups' with all the juices I was meant to drink every 2-3 hours and was more full/satiated than on an ordinary day, seriously.
Therefore, the second time I did a Pressed Juices cleanse, I chose less-filling juices, but was still full. This third time I did the same, but it was the first Pressed Juices cleanse I did in cold weather. Still, I was not hungry once *whew*.
I believe the reason for that is the amount of nutrients/fruits/vegetables that go into each bottle of Pressed Juices, I recently found out that 1.5 kgs of vegetables and/or fruits goes into each one of them, I didn't realize it was that much! I love how great I feel at the end of a 3-day cleanse, I end up feeling purified, energized, mentally alert, and motivated to 'get back on track' and aim for healthier food choices (I still love my pizza and desserts, but I say it's all a matter of balance).
After 3 days I always wish I had chosen to do the 5-day cleanse (maybe next time). You can choose between basic, advanced and master, but I've only tried both advanced and master (master has one more green juice in place of an 'Earth' juice, and is for that extra inner cleanse). My sister repeatedly told me how she could never go without 'eating',
but consuming 6 kgs of natural produce in one day, even if in liquid
form, provided me with more nutrients than I would get on any 'eating'
day.
photo: mine.
What is a juice cleanse?
PJ cleanses have been formulated by Nutritionists to include a wide
variety of fresh produce, focusing specifically on those plants
traditionally praised for their ‘cleansing’ properties. Rich in
essential plant micronutrients, each juice contains a different nutrient
profile that nourishes your body and supports detoxification and
healing. In a PJ cleanse you drink 8 bottles per day (470ml each), consisting of over 6kg of fresh natural produce. The
juices act as a meal replacement across each day, thereby giving your
digestive system a rest whilst flooding your body with bioavailable
nutrients. You don't consume any solid food, and also avoid caffeine,
alcohol, sugary drinks and anything processed.
Why do a cleanse?
Whilst
our body is designed to naturally and constantly detoxify, modern life
has increased the load of toxins immensely. We are surrounded by
pollution, chemicals, plastics, as well as alcohol, caffeine,
medications and food preservatives. Our livers simply cannot keep up.
Our sensitive organs and immune systems were never designed to put up
with this assault, and thus we are left feeling sluggish, tired and
stressed, having skin break outs, carrying excess weight, and having
weakened immune system.
Benefits of undergoing a juice cleanse:
- Gives
your digestive system a rest.
- Floods your system with nutrition.
- Clears
out stored toxins.
- Increased energy.
- Rebooted immune system - I am hoping this is the reason I haven't fallen sick with the flu Lil' Brigs #1 has been battling the last week, am crossing my fingers my immune system holds strong.
- Improved
digestion.
- Mental clarity & motivation - feeling good makes me motivated to continue feeling good and strive to eat better.
- Glowing Complexion - seriously, after my first PJ cleanse, I was staring at my skin in awe (I don't usually spend time looking at my skin, but I couldn't believe how smooth and glowing it was! I wish I had done a juice cleanse before my wedding all those years ago, I have never seen my skin as good as it is after a cleanse)
- Ingrain
long-term health habit - I think it also helps re-set our taste buds, with our sodium-laden foods, and taste for sugar
Tip:
One
would think that drinking 8 x 470 ml of fluid a day would be plenty,
but do drink lots of water throughout the day too. I was surprisingly
thirsty (even whilst drinking the extra water), which I took as a good
sign as the toxins are being flushed from the body. This time round I
made sure to have some herbal teas to warm my body (as drinking cold
juices does tend to make you cold - even in summer).
Who shouldn't undergo a juice cleanse?
Due to restriction of protein and fat, as well as the fact that Pressed Juices have no added preservatives and are unpasteurized, a PJ Cleanse
may not be suitable for everyone. Pregnant and breastfeeding women,
individuals with compromised immune systems, some medical conditions or
medications, as well as children and the elderly, are not advised to do a
Cleanse. It is always best to check with a Nutritionist (including the helpful staff at Pressed Juices) if you are not sure.
I think I have included the answers to many questions I am frequently asked whenever I mention (on Instagram or to my friends & family) that I am on a Juice Cleanse. But if you have any further questions, please feel free to drop a line, and I will try my best to answer it.
Happy Friday everyone!
xx
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