Juicing Preparation and Tips for Detox

Juice cleansing/detox is one of the most effective alternative therapeutic methods to improve your overall health or help your body prevent or fight diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer, obesity, and other similar systemic diseases.  

Juice cleansing/detox can also be used to help fight and overcome addictions to fast food, caffeine, soda, and other similar processed foods and beverages that contain harmful chemicals that create cravings and addictions.

If possible, only use vegetables, fruits and herbs that are organic or purchased locally to limit your exposure to excess pesticides and other chemicals.

The juice of organic vegetables will not only speed up the process of detoxification, it will flood your body with enzymes, vitamins and minerals for quick absorption....and greatly benefit the immune system.

The juice of organic vegetables is rich in nutrients. As the cells of your body are bathed in these fresh, alkaline vegetable juices, they begin to release acids, which are toxins that can then be removed through the elimination systems of the body i.e. the lungs, kidneys, skin, liver, etc.

Since one of the goals of a cleanse/detox is to help remove chemicals and toxins from your body, you should try to limit your intake of chemicals and toxins from various "dead" processed foods, including wheat, dairy, animal meat, flour, hydrogenated oils, caffeine, and sugar.

To ensure your cleanse/detox program is effective and meets your health needs, use combinations of various vegetables, fruits and herbs.

These include: apples, beets, cabbage, collard greens, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion greens, endive, garlic, ginger, kale, lemons, lettuce, parsley, spinach; cilantro, chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, cayenne pepper., and red clay All are excellent for cleansing/detox.

Note: If you just want to detox but you don't need to lose any weight, make sure that you are eating macronutrient-balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Macronutrient-balanced meals (such as those described by the DTD Super Meal Diet) will also help tremendously with the detox process.

Note: For juice recipes that define specific combinations of vegetables and fruits for specific diseases and ailments, get the author's Power of Juicing ebook.

Also, use organic herbal tinctures to add to your juice to help with the cleanse/detox; and, fiber to help with bowel regularity.

Note: If you’re not able to buy all produce organic, get a fruit and vegetable wash to help rid your produce of pesticide residues, waxes, and other undesirable chemicals.

Juicing Detox Tips

Although it can be tempting to jump into a juice detox (or juice fast), preparation is essential because it affects how you respond to the cleanse.

Some foods can interfere with the liver's ability to detoxify your body, which could impair your detox efforts. Consequently, certain foods, such as coffee, sugar, flour, meat, dairy, alcohol, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and wheat should be phased out to reduce headaches, cravings, and other withdrawal symptoms. It’s also important to increase your intake of fresh vegetables during the pre-fast.

At least a week before starting a juice cleanse/detox, change your diet to as many raw vegetables and fruits as possible. Ideally, you should be following a plant-based diet such as the Death to Diabetes Super Meal Nutritional Program (refer to Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the Death to Diabetes book).

First thing in the morning, drink a cup of room temperature or lukewarm filtered water with lemon. Lemon water flushes out body toxins and is extremely beneficial for the body.  

Warm lemon water serves as the perfect ‘good morning drink’, as it aids the digestive system and makes the process of eliminating the waste products from the body easier.  

Warm lemon water prevents the problem of constipation and diarrhea, by ensuring smooth bowel functions. Lemon water also paves the way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy.

During the cleanse/detox, drink 48-64 ounces of freshly squeezed juice per day plus 4 to 8 cups of filtered water to flush out toxins from your body. If you If you would like less juice, just dilute the juice with water. However, you must avoid all other beverages (e.g. soda, coffee, milk or tea) and solid foods.

Avoid fried foods and animal products, including dairy. A healthy balanced diet is achievable without these things, and the key to eating clean.

Drink a glass of room temperature or lukewarm water in between each juice to promote elimination.

To optimize the absorption of nutrients, drink each juice slowly rather than gulping it down. Juices should be consumed approximately two to three hours apart. The final beverage of the day should be at least three hours before bedtime.

Get moving! Take walks, jog, do yoga get moving in order to get oxygen into your cells.

Detox involves your whole being: Body: Mind and Spirit. So, take this time to relax, de-stress and reflect on the positives in your life.

Stress can have negative effects on health and can impair detoxification. Allow the mind to rest by incorporating mind/body practices such as diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation. 

Try to get plenty of rest. Go to bed as early as you can and take naps if possible. Try to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.

If possible, take a mini-vacation while detox juicing -- it will give your body much needed rest and rejuvenation, allowing your body to cleanse internally with ease.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is associated with anger, the kidneys with fear, and the gallbladder holds frustration. Proponents of juice fasting believe that old emotions may arise and be cleansed from the system as the corresponding organs are cleansed.

Note: If you feel a little sick, do not be alarmed. This is a sign that your body is cleansing. Make sure that your bowels are functioning regularly, and if they are not, be sure to take fiber and use fresh juices to cleanse the bowels. Just take it easy, as it will pass. If your bowels are not open when doing a detox, your body will get clogged and you will have some negative side effects.

Please Note: If you are diabetic, you should wait until your blood glucose has stabilized towards the normal range before starting a juice cleanse. Also, always consult with your doctor, especially if you are taking prescription medications.

If you aren't consuming any fiber during your juice cleanse, it is important to take something that will stimulate your colon and prevent the toxins from being reabsorbed back into the body. Psyllium husk and bentonite clay are excellent for drawing out toxins from the body; as is chlorella powder.

Easing off a juice cleanse is important. It is best to start with raw salads and fruit for a few days, plus maybe some lightly steamed vegetables with organic brown rice.