Fasting is a time-honored tradition among health gurus and credentialed physicians alike. By restricting your intake of fatty, sugary foods and fast foods laden with additives and chemicals, you allow your digestive system to rest and restore itself while reducing your calorie intake. A juice fast is a safer, milder and more nutritious way to fast than traditional water fasts. Fresh vegetable juice provides all the nutrients you need for energy, while safely limiting your caloric intake and detoxifying your digestive system. Fasting can have serious consequences if not properly executed. Consult your physician before beginning a fast.
Step 1
Purchase a vegetable juicer so you don't have to rely on store-bought vegetable juice, which is often more expensive than making it yourself. Also, such juices are also rarely pure vegetable juice and may contain unwanted ingredients like sugar, salt or preservatives. Choose a juicer model that fits your budget; even a low-end model will meet your needs.
Step 2
Buy your vegetables. Many different varieties are good for juicing, including cabbage, celery, cucumber, beets, carrots, spinach, kale, tomatoes and dandelion greens. Buy organic if it fits your budget. Organic vegetables are grown without the use of chemicals and pesticides that may be toxic to your body.
Step 3
Wash and cut your vegetables into chunks small enough to fit through the feeder of your juicer. Make your juice fresh whenever possible, juicing one 4- to 8-oz serving at a time. Certain vegetables, such as cabbage, lose nutrient value very quickly after juicing and cannot be juiced ahead and stored. You can store carrots and others in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours in an airtight container.
Step 4
Drink fresh vegetable juice for breakfast, lunch and dinner and as a snack. A true fast means that you go without solid food for up to several weeks; however, that is not recommended. You may choose to include healthy, whole foods and replace one meal a day with fresh vegetable juice. You should consult your doctor prior to beginning your juice fast and determine a finite period of time for your fast that will allow you to achieve your weight loss goals in a safe and healthy manner.
Step 5
Combine the juice of different vegetables to keep it interesting. Find your favorite combination of colors, flavors and nutritional components. Add fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro for extra flavor. You can also add dried herbs, such as cayenne pepper.
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