What about coffee while fasting? Or nicotine and alcohol? These are all little indulgences we reach for all too easily. Especially in stressful phases, when we have no headspace for proper nutrition. Which things are most important to give up during your next juice cleanse, and which ones you can weigh up for yourself, is explained in the blog article below by our frank. nutritionist.
Why are there taboos during a juice cleanse?
The point of your juice cleanse is to step back from your everyday habits, question them and make healthier choices after your cleanse. During your cleanse, you take the load off your digestion with extra easy-to-digest juices made from fruit and vegetables, and thanks to the greatly reduced calorie intake you kick-start cell renewal processes. Interested in this process of autophagy? Then we have the right blog article for you here. The article "What does a juice cleanse do for me?" sums up all the effects of a juice cleanse for you.
To secure the effects of your cleanse or even intensify them, it is important to keep a few things in mind. That is why you get our detailed Cleanse Guide with your cleanse - everything you need to know is in there!
In today's article we focus on what you should definitely avoid.
Juice cleanse taboo no. 1: alcohol
When it comes to alcohol, there is no question about whether giving it up is really necessary. The answer is clear: during fasting, alcohol is an absolute no-go!
The reason alcohol in particular should be left out during juice fasting is that by going without it, you take the load off not only your gastrointestinal tract but also your liver, which is responsible, among other things, for breaking down alcohol. But for the mental side of the juice cleanse, too, giving up alcohol is only an advantage. Use the time to become aware of how much you actually drink.
If you keep going without alcohol beyond the fasting period, your sleep can improve in the long run, which leads to more energy, motivation and good mood during the day. Alcohol also contains lots of calories without being filling, quite the opposite: people often eat more when they drink. So it is quite possible that you lose weight on the side if you give up alcohol. On top of that, alcohol-related inflammation in the body can be eased. Further benefits of giving up alcohol are better concentration, a clearer complexion and lower blood pressure.
So you see: in the long run, alcohol is not good for your body! If you still fancy a cocktail, we recommend alcohol-free versions mixed with our juices. Ever tried it?
Juice cleanse taboo no. 2: nicotine
If you are a smoker, giving up cigarettes can be a particular challenge. But if you want to avoid any harmful substances during your juice cleanse, that also means the pack of cigarettes goes to the very back corner of your dresser. We tell you what giving up nicotine while fasting is all about.
Nicotine is a harmful substance that attacks the lungs and quickly becomes addictive. After just 20 minutes without nicotine, blood pressure and heart rate normalise. After 12 hours, the oxygen level in the blood rises, which has a positive effect on circulation!
After three days, not only do your senses of smell and taste improve, your lungs also start to recover and can breathe freely again.
If you manage to go without nicotine for two weeks, your fitness improves too and you can handle more physical strain than before.
So: going without nicotine during the juice cleanse means giving your lungs the chance to recover, and maybe also firing the starting gun for a smoke-free, healthier life.
Is coffee really a taboo during your juice cleanse?
Are you one of the coffee junkies of this world? Wake up, stumble sleepily into the kitchen, switch on the coffee machine and the day can begin. If you recognise yourself here and are thinking about starting a juice cleanse, you should definitely keep reading.
The question of whether you should give up coffee during your juice cleanse is not that easy to answer. In principle, coffee is not harmful and does not block the actual effects of fasting. Used correctly, caffeine can even support you during your cleanse! Caffeine can be stimulating and dampen your hunger a little.
If your body is used to regular amounts of caffeine, you may get side effects of coffee withdrawal during the cleanse, on top of the symptoms of your metabolism switching gears. Headaches are typical! Caffeine also drives the metabolism, boosts concentration and reduces tiredness.
If you want to fast not only for the effects on your digestive tract but also to challenge yourself mentally, going without caffeine can be part of it. What happens when you don't take in any caffeine? Are you still full of energy and fit? A fasting cleanse and the break from caffeine that comes with it can work wonders: if you drank 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day before your cleanse and felt no effect, after your abstinence you will notice the invigorating effect of caffeine after just one espresso. A milder option is to reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine also influences your stress level! Chronically elevated stress levels make you more prone to depression, colds and anxiety. On top of that, your oral hygiene improves when you give up coffee: coffee is acidic, so frequent consumption attacks your tooth enamel.
Sleeping badly? Ever thought it could be down to your caffeine intake? People metabolise caffeine at different speeds. So you may be one of those people who react very sensitively and only fall asleep slowly after a single coffee after 6 pm.
An important aspect is how you take your coffee. Do you like a cup of black coffee, or do you prefer milk and sugar? Even if it may not taste its best to you, black coffee is your choice during your cleanse. Milk, whether from a cow or made from oats, has no place in your juice cleanse, and neither does sugar!
Think only coffee in the morning wakes you up? Try our spicy Fast Lane shot instead of a coffee!
If you can't do without caffeine during your juice cleanse, we recommend reaching for a cup of green tea. Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee and can still trigger the positive effects of coffee. At frank juice you will find your portion of caffeine in our invigorating ReCharge Tea. Green Sencha tea is combined with white Mao Feng tea, and the freshness of lemongrass makes for an extraordinary taste experience.
Individual taboos during a juice cleanse
Besides nicotine, alcohol and coffee, there may be many other things you would like to cut back on and therefore give up during your juice cleanse.
Examples are social media, TV or other things that keep you from the tasks that really matter in everyday life and rob you of time without adding any value.
Before your cleanse, you can think about what you would like to change in your everyday life - you will see how good you can feel even without your "guilty pleasures"!
Avoiding taboos during a juice cleanse
You have motivatedly picked out and ordered the perfect cleanse for you? Congratulations, then you have already taken the first step in the right direction.
Now you are wondering how you will manage to go without your usual things during the cleanse? We have a few tricks that will surely help you too.
Taboos during a juice cleanse: preparation is everything
Giving up all indulgences overnight? That sounds like a real challenge, and we don't recommend it. Instead, you should spend the days before your juice cleanse preparing thoroughly. If you usually need 4 cups of coffee to get through the day, try two in the days before your juice cleanse and keep cutting back until you no longer drink coffee.
It is similar with cigarettes. Steadily reduce the number of smoking breaks until you can handle days without cigarettes. If you do your juice cleanse during the week, we also recommend skipping drinks the weekend before. Make yourself popular with your friends and offer to be the driver when they head into town in the evening. Did you know that cravings can also be traced back to nutrient deficiencies? With a multi-nutrient supplement like our Daily Complete you are fully covered.
How best to prepare for your juice cleanse and practise going without is explained in detail in our Cleanse Guide. We also include tasty recipes that make preparation even easier!
Getting through your juice cleanse without cheating
You have started your cleanse and the first cravings kick in? Then it's time for distraction! In weak moments we like to go for a walk, call friends and acquaintances or do a round of yoga. You will see: the craving goes away as quickly as it came. We also recommend drinking enough fluids on top of the juices. Our teas are the perfect addition - they are made from tasty herbs and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
