There as many types of fasts as there are reasons for fasting out there. I challenge you to just type the word FASTING into a search engine, and see how many different links you come up with! I wanted to use this blog to share with you my recent experience with juice fasting to start the New Year. It wasn't the first time I had fasted with juices, but it was going to be for a longer period of time than I had ever attempted before. My plan was to fast for 5 days with no solid foods. And to be honest, I was nervous. I was concerned it would be overwhelming, and I wouldn't be able to competently work, volunteer, and take care of my home and family.
My plan was to use bottled juices (with no added sugars), filtered water and caffeine free teas to make it through. I do not own a juicer, and became discouraged when preparing for this juice fast as many resources said this type of fast was not beneficial unless you could drink from freshly produced juices. I had no desire to purchase a juicer, as I really do despise the clean up of these machines. And during a fast, it is important to not overexert yourself. I was already having to prepare regular meals for my growing boys, so the idea of fussing with a juicer was a big turn off.
So without the juice, I started out on Monday with a fruit juice in the morning, vegetable juice for lunch, another fruit juice for an afternoon snack, and finished the day by a heating vegetable juice for dinner(the weather is still quite cold here in Colorado and I felt like I needed something warm for my body). I felt well going to bed, and thought that this routine was going to work out fine for the goals that I had set for myself. My plan was to follow this plan of alternating between fruit and vegetable juices for the week. And all was working fine until Wednesday.
I was feeling weak and fatigued. It was while preparing my families evening meal, when I remembered the Fruit & Veggie powder that I had in my pantry. I don't know why I had never thought to use it when creating my plan. I have used this to make amazing smoothies, why wouldn't it work in my fruit juice now? I turned the label over, and it would provide even more of the raw fruits and vegetables for the energy boost I was desiring. So I added a scoop to my afternoon fruit juice. It was just the energy I needed to complete the fast. I can see now why using so many health professionals were recommending "live" juices.
I did complete my juice fast with good results. I slept better that week than I had in months. The digestion issues I had been experiencing, more than likely from the over-indulgences of the holiday season, were relieved. And now that I'm eating regular solid foods, I find I need so much less to feel satisfied. And most importantly I feel like a Spring Cleaning has been completed in my body.
Would I recommend a juice fast for you? Well that's between you and your doctor to discuss. There are many reasons for fasting, and it is important to have that clarity before you even begin.