The 3 Day Detox and Cutting Cravings

Before any of you get annoyed at this (my instagram image sparked some debates), please read until the end of this post to see my real feelings and recommendations on this sort of diet.

At the end of the day, a juice detox is a diet, and an extreme one at that. The Juicetou detox involves cutting out all foods for 3 or 5 days, and consuming just four of these little bottles of fruit and veg packed juices, with water as well of course. It is the sort of detox that celebs have raved about previously and one that people enjoy doing after a holiday binge. It clears out the body of all the toxins you have consumed and is meant to make you feel refreshed and ready to start again. Of course, you are also supposed to see some weight benefits, losing a few pounds where of course you are not eating your everyday meals. For that reason, people get really touchy over this topic. It is greatly frowned upon and it appears only those into extreme dieting are man enough to take the plunge. Yet, I must admit I was intrigued as to what all the fuss was about, so when I got the chance to try the 3 day Juicetou detox, I gave it a whirl.

Day one came and I already had cravings. Its because I knew I couldn’t eat anything at all tasty for the next few days, and it was killing me. And that was at 7am in the morning. This wasn’t going to end well. All day I thought about food, endlessly. The extremist nature of this diet was making my mind go into overdrive about what I could be eating instead and it took all my willpower not to go and open the fridge. At 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm, you consumer a bottle of Juicetou, containing spinach, cucumber, celery, apples and limes at 9am and 3pm, and a much tastier oranges, apples, kiwi, grapes and strawberrys at 12pm and pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, apples and raspberries at 6pm. Id love to tell you this tasted delicious, absorbs sweet cravings and leaves you feeling like popeye. It didn’t. It tasted down right awful, but why would I expect different? The juice at 9am and 3pm, with the spinach, my goodness that was just unstomachable. I found it so difficult to get my throat to open wide enough to let it slide in. But I tried my best and promised myself it might do me good. The fact the juices all contain ‘bits’ as well is a huge hatred of mine and I had to try to filter it with my teeth. So, bad start. I got through all of the juices by 6pm, hating every minute, dreaming of brownies and then my flat mate came home and I felt low, frustrated and jealous of her steak.

It was at this moment I realised that this was definitely not for me. I couldn’t even think of doing this for another day, let alone another two. My body felt empty, my mind was in overdrive and I just felt really down. So I stopped and just did the one day detox. Apparently one day detox’s are far safer than three days and are better for beginners to try out. Some people try detoxing every few months for a few days and it works perfectly for them, which is awesome. But for those of us starting out, one day at a time will do me, and in future I will certainly be putting together my own juices. Whilst I have no doubt that Juicetou and other detox juices work really well and contain some fantastic products, I personally couldn’t stomach them, so I know I would have to choose my own ingredients next time.

I would do another day of detoxing yes, but just one day and like I said, I would buy myself a really great blender and juice up four of my own juices, with no bits! It will cost a hell of a lot less money and I will know exactly whats going in to it. As for three days, hats off to anyone who has managed it, as you had far more will power and self restraint than I. If you go for the extreme diet, youre bound to see extreme side effects from it, such as endless dreaming of food and ridiculous cravings. So, dont go so extreme. Cut down on the fizzy drinks and snacks in between meals and treat yourself to that little piece of cake at the end of it. Cut out the things you’re not too bothered about and keep the thing you love the most, but just decide to have a smaller portion of that naught thing. You wont be craving so ridiculously as you’re not technically cutting yourself off. A little at a time is much better for you. Small steps.

Thoughts people? I’d love to hear your opinions!

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