Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely that of the author and not meant to replace the advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor before beginning a cleanse.
It’s the beginning of a new year, which means a slew of fad diets are popping up, promising to help you lose weight. The only “diet” I’ve ever successfully attempted was Weight Watchers because it was straightforward, allowed me to eat the foods I wanted (in controlled amounts, of course) and most importantly, provided accountability. Along with diets comes a new trend promising to help you lose weight and rid your body of toxins…the cleanse.
What is a juice cleanse?
Simply put, a cleanse involves the attempt to rid the body of toxins through fasting, dieting, or consuming/excluding specific foods.
Do I need to cleanse?
If you speak to most physicians, the answer is no. The body has a fascinating way of eliminating toxins all on its own (think kidneys, liver). Many people who have attempted a cleanse report feeling increased amounts of energy along with weight loss. But are these results lasting? Let’s delve a bit deeper into “the cleanse.”
The Sambazon Purifying Cleanse
Last Fall, Sambazon sent me some samples of their Purifying Cleanse to try out. I’ll be honest…the thought of drinking juice for 3 days straight was less than appealing. But as I started reading, I realized that I could actually eat while doing this cleanse. Combine that with the fact that it was only 3 days and the ingredients in each stage of the cleanse were recognizable and organic and I was comfortable trying it out.
The Sambazon Purifying Cleanse was developed by Registered Dietitian Ashley Koff and includes 3 superfood beverages and a meal plan to prepare your body, eliminate toxins and recharge energy levels. Each day you’ll begin with a glass of one of Sambazon’s superfood beverages and end each day with a solid meal (liquid meal alternatives are also provided). Admittedly, this is a reduced calorie diet/cleanse so you’ll likely lose weight. The question begs…will the weight stay off?
How to prepare for a cleanse?
Admittedly, before I went on a cleanse, my first thought was to eat all of the chocolate and bread I could find in our house since I knew that I would be in deprivation mode for 3 full days. Fortunately, I read the booklet that came with this cleanse and realized that was the complete opposite of what I was supposed to do. Here are some tips for preparing for a cleanse from Koff:
- Get approval from your doctor
- Eliminate caffeine, alcohol, animal products, and anything artificial 2-3 days before beginning a cleanse
- Eat nutrient-rich foods every 3 hours, beginning within 45 minutes of waking up
- Drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water (split across 4-5 portions)
- Engage in 15-20 minutes of light-moderate activity each day
Does it work?
This is a very gentle cleanse. I was mentally prepared to stick close to home during these 3 days, but in fact, there were no mass rushes to get to the bathroom. Admittedly, I was hungry at various points throughout the 3 days and I can get pretty cranky when I’m hungry (so the husband says). I can’t even imagine a juice-only cleanse…I would fail miserably. While I didn’t go eating sandwiches or pizza (one can dream right?), I did sneak in a few of their “allowed” foods. One thing that was interesting to note is that I don’t drink enough water. According to Koff, I should be drinking half of my body weight in water and I can honestly say I haven’t felt that hydrated in a long time. My main purpose for doing this cleanse was to detox as opposed to weight loss and while I did lose 2-3 pounds, I fully expect that I might regain that weight.
While I still maintain that a cleanse is not necessary, I do believe it can be used as a way to kick start healthy eating habits. During this time I was incredibly mindful of what I was eating, and while I don’t think we should be obsessive about it, I think it would do me some good to pay more attention to portions, the amount of water I’m drinking, and the amount of fruits and vegetables I’m consuming.
Have you ever tried a cleanse? I’d love to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Images: Sambazon
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