Heading into a new year, beach season, or any time you have had “enough” with the way you look and feel about your body there are some popular options you may have turned to.
One of the most popular options is buying a multi-day juice cleanse from a local cafe or whole foods market that is supposed to replace all your meals. You are so excited as you pick up your bundle of beverages. A confidence and optimism that this time you mean business. That fat is going down!
But wait…is it really the best option for you to improve your health or lose weight?
Today, let’s explore three alternatives to juice cleansing that truly support a healthy diet and lifestyle. These options will actually help your body perform better and get the results you want rather than juicing fruits and vegetables.
1.Consume Whole Fruits and Vegetables
Whole fruits and vegetables are the basis for a healthy carb intake. Juicing eliminates the skin, pulp, and fiber that make these foods so healthy in the first place. Many of the flavonoids responsible for reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke are found in the pulp and skins of many fruits and veggies. Removing the fiber also increases the glycemic index. For instance, eating an orange has a totally different effect on your body than drinking a glass of orange juice. In fact, drinking OJ is more comparable to soda in the way it effects your body!
“If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice.” -Conan O’Brien
2. Eat/Drink Balanced Meals
Did you ever sneak spoonfuls of sugar as a kid? I know I did. But as we get older and wiser, we know that blatant disregard for our health won’t fly anymore. We try to limit our sweets to the foods that are really worth it.
But did you know that when you juice you are basically drinking sugar? Especially if the juice contains fruit juices in the mix.
Try consuming balanced meals instead. Eat high quality protein, healthy fats, and whole fruits and veggies. Your body knows what to do with these real foods and will respond better to a diet focused on protein and fat than a carb dominant intake – especially if fat loss is your goal. If you are looking to maintain a healthy body weight, then you need meals that keep your metabolism stimulated and promote fat burning.
High quality protein will help keep you satiated and repair muscle tissues. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats will improve inflammation response and help your body burn stubborn belly fat. Whole fruits and veggies will provide the key nutrients needed for energy production and eliminating toxins from the body.
3. Fast Instead of Juicing
Intermittent fasting may be a much better approach to fat loss than juicing. By choosing to fast rather than consume a juice, you allow your body to continue burning fat as a fuel source. When you drink juice it spikes your blood sugar and insulin, promoting fat storage rather than burning. Intermittent fasting can easily be achieved by setting up a 12-to-16 hour window of time during which you eat. If you consume your last bite of food at 6 p.m., then you don’t eat again until at least 6 a.m. the next morning. This is a great strategy to help you achieve the results you work hard for. Make sure you plan your eating window accordingly and you’re good to go!
Now that you have some alternatives to juice cleansing, try these out and see which option is best for your success.
If you have questions about a healthy diet that lines up with your lifestyle then connect with one of our coaches for more great advice.