I have been thinking about doing a juice cleanse for a long time. It’s the cool thing and magically will cure all that ails you and make you skinny and happy and have flowing hair and happiness. It’s science.
However, I realize I have ZERO self control and ONE HUNDRED percent more hunger than the average person. So, I haven’t actually went for it because I kinda knew I couldn’t hang – even for one day.
But I have been having some stomach issues lately (actually for a few months now that I really think about it) AND I stumbled upon this sale on Suja Juices at Target so I bought them. They had 4 of the 6 juices from their Fresh Start cleanse and two that were similar enough that they would work.
My goal with the juice cleanse was just to reduce the bloat. A one day cleanse isn’t going to change my life but I was really just curious to see if this would be a disaster.
Juice 1: After a morning walk and stretch I had my first green juice. Loved it.
Juice 2: By 10am I was Hungry. Capital H. But this Fuel juice was delicious and curbed my hunger no problem.
Juice 3: I kept myself super busy with work until lunch and went for this 12 Essentials Juice around 1pm. Yeah. I’ve tried this juice before and do not like it. I even tried to blend it with stevia and ice, but it was not happening.
I don’t make myself do or eat anything I don’t want to (what a brat I guess, but this is America and whatev) so I wouldn’t make myself drink this. I made a salad instead.
Juice 4: Love love love juice with beets, but I can’t eat them for some reason. This is the bulk of my favorite detox juice from Whole Foods.
Juice 5: I ended up skipping the last green juice because I caved and had a yogurt with hemp seeds and toast. But, what I really wanted was something SALTY or SAVORY <- I guess from having sweet, delicious juices all day? I’m usually a sweets girl so this was random.
Juice 6: This was a swap based on what was available at the store – a vegan protein drink. The usual drink is Almond Dream, which is also a creamy almond based drink. This was delicious! Great way to end the night.
Overall: I wasn’t as hungry as I thought I would be. I was not starving or anything, but I just wanted to eat because I like to eat. It did help my bloat a little but I think the search for the cause continues (I’ve quit gum for a long time, thought about my diet, ate clean, ate dirty).
I would like to do a week or two of super clean eating as a detox, but not a juice cleanse next time.
One thing that really worked for me was apple cider vinegar.
I drink it when I first wake up in the morning. Be prepared, it does not taste good, but it really helps to clean out any funky pain/bloat-causing bacteria that’s taken up residence in your gut.
I did a juice diet (with no solids) for 10 days. I made them all myself, instead of buying pre-made ones. The first few days were really tough, with hunger and the thought of not having any dinner being the main two problems. After about day 3 or 4 I found that my sleeping improved, I didn’t sleep as long and my energy levels were through the roof. The weight fell off me daily. However, by the end I was so bored of green and red juices I cracked and did not make it to the 14 day target. I would consider doing it again, but most of the weight loss is temporary, so be aware of that 🙂
I have done the Suja juice cleans before. I did it for 5 days. It was definitely tough. The first 2-3 days I was starving and didn’t like the taste too much on a couple of the drinks. But by the last 2 days, I acquired a taste for all of the drinks and really was not starving anymore. It helped with the bloat and I lost a pound or so but didn’t notice too much difference. I did find a gigantic bottle of their “Glow” drink at Costco the other day and scooped that up to drink in the mornings as I get up for a dose of healthy to my morning.
No way. A colonoscopy prep was more than enough cleansing for a lifetime!
My body loves to have stomach issues and bloat. I’ve been vegetarian since January and have recently been trying out vegan and it was been amazing! I’m hoping to soon switch to entirely vegan because it has made me feel so much more energized and vibrant! And my running has improved which I didn’t expect
Did the bloat go away when you switched? I don’t eat a lot of meat (super rarely eat red meat, mostly chicken anyway) and have been thinking about going back to vegetarian but I don’t think I’m lactose intolerant and eat pretty plain chicken so I’m doubtful that would help the bloat. Still, I’m thinking about it for various reasons.
I’m all for clean and healthy eating, but I’m pretty anti-juice cleanses. It surprises me that many people use “science” as their reasoning for starting a juice cleanse, because there’s actually very little research that SUPPORTS a juice-only diet, even in the short term. For me personally, I’m working hard to listen better to hunger cues and choose nourishing foods when I’m hungry. That’s all the “cleansing” I’m interested in!
I did just complete my very first green juice cleanse. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought. The detox soup was for evening and I was able to have a protein drink each afternoon {supplied with the cleanse}. I think the one you did looks interesting. I am totally for doing another one again.
I’ve wanted to do a juice cleanse for so long but I have such horrible will power and I fear I will pay a ton of money for great juices and then speed off to Dunks…………
Hi Monica, I have some theories for your bloat. As you frequently mention, you lose a lot of salt via sweating which can disrupt sodium balance creating a bloated belly. Also, too much exercise causes stress on the body which induces water retention. I know personally when I go for long runs I am bloated the rest of the day. In your case, it seems like you go for long runs more than most people, so it makes sense you feel bloated more.
Thanks! I didn’t even think of that even though it’s kinda obvious since I talk about salt a lot too.
I was having stomach/ digestive issues for over a year. Feeling bloated ALL the time. I never felt comfortable. I would try to do #2 and nothing would happen. I was so frustrated, there were times I cried because something that should be so simple and natural was not working out for me. I tried lots of different things to try to “eliminate” whatever was bugging me, nothing worked. In October, I did a 30 day Paleo challenge just to see if I could do it and I loved it. I have continued to eat Paleo 97% of the time and all my symptoms have gone away and I feel great again. Even during special occasions when I do over indulge it’s not the same “Oh my gosh, what’s happening to me?” feeling. You might want to give it a try.
Just try a Whole food “challenge”. You don’t have to do 30 days. You can do 3 days or 7 days or 10 days – or however long you want. ‘Merica man!
I love you for this post. Every time I read one of my favorite fitness bloggers rave about how great juice cleanses make her feel, I start feeling bad about myself (yes, I *did* just read your post about comparison); am I some kind of weirdo because you couldn’t get me to do a fluid diet unless I had some major oral surgery? I rejoice in having your company on this matter.
the only juice cleanse i’ve done is this Suja one, too, and i liked these juices a lot. i’d do it more often, if they weren’t so expensive! have to check Target and Whole Foods for sales.
You’ve mentioned that it’s been very hot lately, and you have amped up your running from roughly this time last year, so I’m wondering if it’s heat-induced water retention. I live in the midwest, and we complain about this happening in the early summer and on super-super hot days later in the summer. You actually feel more bloated after your run and for 24 hours. I’m wondering if you would consider taking 2 rest days and seeing if this reduces the bloat. If so, you can still definitely run all the time, but you may want to consider your salt consumption and see if you can find a happy medium.
Just a thought! But this way you don’t have to change any of your eating habits!
Instead of skipping to a juice cleanse, have you tried eliminating certain foods that tend to cause those symptoms (at least the ones you mentioned)? Like dairy (you had yogurt). Or gluten. Try a few days gluten or dairy free and see if the symptoms improve. I don’t think juice is your answer.
Try the whole30 concept. It really helps you become mindful of what you put in your mouth and kind of re-trains your brain on how you see food. I am almost done, I haven’t lost any weight bu have learned a ton and all of my stomach issues are gone!
Cutting out the gum and carbonated drinks help with bloating. Never done a juice cleanse but love fresh pressed green juice as drink with a protein-filled breakfast.
they sure do a good job of marketing the juice cleanse as a cure-all! i’ve never done one, mostly b/c i love to chew and never drink juice as part of my regular diet anyway, but i’m also not convinced it really does anything for your body.
congrats on quitting gum! stress can also manifest itself with GI symptoms. maybe do some yoga.
Well, I had a colonoscopy… does that count? LOL! It sucked. I needed a cheeseburger, stat but the drugs they gave me made post-surgery a little foggy, and I drunk-ate lemon loaf from Starbucks instead. Cheeseburger came later, though.. thank God.
I can barely go 2 hrs without eating, I know I cannot do a juicing cleanse/diet/meal.
Have you thought about trying the Whole30 diet?
I know a lot of people love it and have found what foods effect them, and I have been curious, I just don’t know if I could go that long (maybe in the winter months when I am not as social!)
This is so funny, my Suja one day cleanse arrives today! I have never done one, but I am also doing it to see if it helps with bloat/digestion.
I loved reading this – I’m not a juice cleanse girl because I like to eat too. No thanks! However, have you looked into eliminating high FODMAP items from your diet for bloating? I was super shocked to realize that apples, onions, and avocados are on the list, and break down into hydrogen instead of methane which causes bloating. Give it a google – my stomach has been flat since I’ve taken out the culprits!
Jill
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I am on the Isagenix system (celluar cleansing/clean eating) and my bloat has gone away. You can do a 9 day cleanse 2 days of cleansing and 7 shake days. The shakes are to die for!! And 24g of protein. Or you can do a 30 day with 4-6 cleanse days. As of now, I just do a shake a day with 2 cleanse days a month. I have lost inches and my bloating is almost non-existent. Unless I eat a plate of fries.
I thought I saw an isagenix green topped shaker bottle in your picture?
I’ve been using Isagenix for 1 1/2 years, also! Love it so much…recovery from long runs and hard workouts are easier. The cleanses make you feel amazing, and the shakes are the best tasting I’ve ever tried. Just getting ready to make one now 😉
I tried a juice cleanse once and lasted until about 2pm when my hangry reached new levels. Cutting out gum, processed foods, and anything with too much fiber (ie broccoli) helps with le bloat for me!
I’d be worried that I was piling loads of sugar into me by drinking juices. I guess it depends whether they’re fruit or vegetable based. I’d probably feel more comfortable making them myself to be sure I knew what I was drinking!
I don’t mind being hungry when I am awake but it kills me when I am trying to fall asleep. My only bullet-proof cure for insomnia is carbs. Equally, the only thing that will always keep me awake is hunger. I think a juice diet would see me going craaaaazy after a few bad nights’ sleep.
If I am experiencing a lot of stress or anxiety, I tend to have stomach issues.
I love Suja juices and have been wanting to try a juice cleanse for awhile but have never broke down because I am always hungry with a capital H and didn’t think I could manage on just juice!
I don’t feel satisfied in liquids. So juice only cleanses wouldn’t happen. I remember my friend had to have his jaw wired after an injury and he put fast food hamburgers in the blender to be able to eat. Lol.
Hi Monica. Nice effort! I’ve never tried a juice cleanse before, but I would be interested in trying a detox that incorporates actual food. At least you got a lot of nutrients in one day!
I could never do a juice cleanse either, I have to chew my food. Are those juices seriously $6.50 for one small bottle?? And you’re supposed to drink 6 in a day??
Yes and yes.
i thought the same thing about the price. And that was SALE!! I zoomed the picture thinking it was maybe 2 or 3 for that price!! Wow, I guess you spend that on a meal, but a prepackaged juice???
Ehhhh I feel like I don’t believe in juice cleanses. I’m of the belief that your body is pretty efficient if you treat it correctly, and I’ve thought about it, but I don’t feel like starving, and I’m not sure how safe it is given how many classes I teach a week…
Never tried juice cleanse, but I am recently experimenting with root crops in exchange of rice and more greens. High in protein to gain a little muscles on the side 🙂
Btw, what is the nutritional contents of those juices?
They were all veggies and fruits and about 200 calories per bottle. Low in protein because of the ingredients.
Never done a juice cleanse cuz I like to eat. BUT for 3-4 days I did a green smoothie (made at home) for breakfast and lunch then had a salad for dinner (maybe a couple nuts here and there as well). I de-bloated and felt good. I can’t just not eat food for days though – I guess I like to chew my greens – not just blend them!
Yeah, that’s what I was originally going to do (but for like 1 day) since it seems healthy, more cost effective and you get to eat. But I’m lazy and paid the price.