Is it normal to get headaches on a juice cleanse? Can I experience nausea or digestive disturbances? Can a juice cleanse cause bloating? How about skin rashes or fatigue? What if I feel sick on a cleanse? Ugh...What If I am starrrving?
If you're asking these questions, you're not alone. Potential juice cleanse side effects can be intimidating. And Let’s face it, sifting through conflicting information and bad advice could be a turn-off.
The raw truth is the vast majority of people who do a juice cleanse will experience no negative side effects at all. Cleansing can be difficult, but the health benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks. And have no fear, even the potential symptoms can often be prevented.
What is a Juice Cleanse?
A juice cleanse is a type of detox diet where you consume fruit and vegetable juices for an extended period of time. The idea of a liquid diet is to limit solid foods to give your digestive system a break, which can help with concerns like weight gain or detoxification.
The process of juicing is simple. Whole fruits and vegetables are turned into cold-pressed juices by pressing them through a juicer. This process separates the pulp from the liquid found in fruit and vegetables, essentially creating liquid gold.
This concentrated juice contains minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that have many health benefits such as body detoxification, weight loss, more balanced blood sugar levels, and a strengthened immune system.
As the Raw Generation in-house holistic nutritionist, I have carefully crafted a range of juice cleanses to cater to our specific customer needs. Whether you're aiming for weight loss, seeking a protein boost, or looking to reduce sugar intake, we have the ideal cleanses and products to meet your specific wellness goals.
Common Juice Cleanse Symptoms
While cleansing is a powerful tool and goes smoothly for the majority of people, it doesn’t hurt to be informed about the possible reactions your body may experience along the way. With the right knowledge and preparation, these symptoms are not only manageable, but also preventable.
Symptoms May Include:
- Headaches
- Cravings
- Stomach issues (i.e. bloating or irregular bowel movements)
- Fatigue or low-energy
- Skin breakouts or rashes
- Body aches
The Meaning Behind Your Symptoms
What if I told you that symptoms you may experience are not negative and that they are actually your body’s way of communicating with you? Cleanse symptoms reveal what your body truly needs, which is a good thing.
Instead of rushing to give juice diets a bad rap, let’s try to understand what these symptoms may be telling us.
- Headaches often indicate dehydration or caffeine withdrawal.
- Intense cravings can stem from prior nutritional deficiencies or dehydration. It is important to keep in mind that switching from solid foods to drinking juice is a significant shift from the norm.
- Digestive disturbances, like bloat, nausea, irregular bowel movements, or constipation can stem from electrolyte imbalances or a buildup of toxins in the colon (often the result of not getting enough fiber or exercise to move the bowels regularly each day).
- Fatigue and low energy can be a direct result of refined sugar withdrawal.
- Skin issues can be your body temporarily responding to dietary changes. Your skin is the largest organ for eliminating waste, so when you stop eating unhealthy foods toxins can be released through rashes or breakouts.*
- Body aches and pains can also be a result of eliminating toxins.
4 Ways to Avoid Juice Cleanse Symptoms
It’s completely normal to have concerns about cleansing symptoms— I totally get it. I would like to reassure you, however, that you can reap the benefits of juicing while still having an enjoyable experience.
Despite what you may have read online, you don’t have to suffer through a cleanse. Here are my top tips to help you prepare for a symptom-free cleansing experience:
1. Preparation
When it comes to a juice cleanse, preparation is key. We recommend easing into your cleanse about a week before. Do your best to avoid animal products (dairy and meat), gluten, and alcohol. Plan to eat more plant-based by incorporating an abundance of fruits and veggies into your diet.
2. Hydration
Hydration is another crucial element to prevent symptoms during your cleanse. Drink plenty of water, coconut water, and/or herbal teas throughout each day. Try incorporating our Truly Raw Coconut water for your daily dose of supreme hydration and electrolyte replenishment to avoid headaches, digestive issues, and/or fatigue (It works wonders...).
3. Green Juice
Incorporating just one green juice daily is the secret to eliminating cravings. Dark greens like spinach, collards, and kale contain chlorophyll. Chlorophyll contains hydrochloric acid (HCL). When HCL is present in your gut it helps you to absorb nutrients properly and to therefore feel fully satiated - thus eliminating intense cravings. Try incorporating the Green Routine before and/or during cleansing for your daily dose of chlorophyll.
4. Prebiotics
The most common worry I hear about when it comes to detoxing is stomach issues. Most juice fast-fads on the market leave you with uncomfortable bloating or, worse, you feel like a prisoner shackled to the toilet. This is because most cleanses on the market contain processed ingredients and artificial sugars. You can try our Lower Sugar* Detox Cleanse made with naturally sweet yacon root, a South American superfood known for its gut-healing prebiotic power.
Nutritionist Bonus Tip: What you do after a cleanse is even more important than what you do during a cleanse. Post-cleanse, make sure to eat a balanced diet with lots of whole foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains like quinoa. Avoid processed additives, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, refined oils, dairy, and anything you can’t pronounce.
If you want my guided approach to post-cleanse continued weight loss, I developed The Stay Skinny Method™ just for this purpose. It includes a daily craving-crushing green juice, delicious meal replacement smoothies, weight loss enhancer shots, and my clean-eating guidelines and meal plans to help you keep off the cleanse weight and continue losing more each week.
Learn More About The Stay Skinny Method
Is a Juice Cleanse Right for Me?
Juice cleanses are an excellent option for many individuals looking to address weight loss, fatigue, detox, and more. These cleanses are a convenient way to reset your your diet while boosting your intake of essential vitamins and minerals with ease.
While juice cleanses are suitable for the majority, they may not be the ideal choice for everyone. If you're unsure about trying a juice cleanse, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for more personalized guidance, ensuring that it aligns with your unique needs and health goals.
