In what order should I drink my juice cleanse?

Introduction

Juice cleansing has become an increasingly popular way to detox, lose weight, and flood the body with nutrients. By drinking only fresh fruit and vegetable juices for a set period of time, many people report feeling energized, losing weight, and having clearer skin. However, with so many different juices to choose from, many people wonder: in what order should I drink my juice cleanse for maximum results?

The Benefits of Juice Cleansing

Before getting into juice ordering, it helps to understand the overall benefits of juice cleansing:

• Detoxification – By abstaining from solid foods for a few days, you give your GI tract a chance to eliminate toxins, undigested food, and bacteria.
• Flood of Nutrients – Juicing provides higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients than eating whole fruits and vegetables.
• Alkalization – Most juices are highly alkalizing which can help rebalance acidic bodies.
• Weight Loss – By consuming only juices, people find they lose weight quickly as their bodies release water weight and fat reserves.
• Improved Energy – With the body’s energy directed towards healing rather than digestion, people report feeling more energized.

With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder juice cleanses have become so popular! But to maximize results, the order in which you drink your juices matters.

Guiding Principles for Ordering Juices

Here are some guiding principles to follow when mapping out your juice cleanse schedule:

1. Drink gentle, hydrating juices first thing in the morning.

After an 8+ hour fast, your body needs hydration and minerals like potassium and magnesium. Start your day with juices like watermelon, cucumber, or coconut water to wake up your kidneys and flush your system.

2. Follow with heavier, nutrient-dense juices mid-morning.

After rehydrating, move onto more substantial juices packed with antioxidants, protein, good fats, and fiber. Options like green juice, nut milks, chia, and hemp juices can sustain you until lunchtime.

3. Opt for lighter, refreshing juices in the afternoon.

By early afternoon, you may feel some fatigue setting in. Re-energize with light citrus juices like grapefruit, lemon, and orange. You can also incorporate soothing herbs like mint, lavender, and chamomile.

4. Stick to simple, hydrating juices in the evening.

As your cleanse winds down for the day, minimize digestion work for your body. Simple juices like carrot, celery, cucumber, and apple make good evening choices.

5. End each day with a soothing, nutritious juice.

One last nourishing juice before bed helps replenish nutrients as you sleep and sets you up for detox success the next day. Try a combo of cashew milk, cherries, cinnamon, and almond butter.

Example 1-Day Juice Cleanse Schedule

Now let’s map out an example daily juice cleanse schedule incorporating these guiding principles:

Time	Juice
8 AM	Cucumber, Mint, Lemon Water
10 AM	Green Juice with Kale, Spinach, Celery, Lemon, Ginger, Apple
12 PM	Strawberry, Orange, Basil Juice
2 PM	Carrot, Beet, Apple Juice
4 PM	Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce Juice
6 PM	Coconut Water with Lemon & Lime
8 PM	Cashew Milk with Cherries, Cinnamon, Almond Butter

As you can see, this schedule starts with hydrating juices, moves to heavier nutrient-dense juices midday, incorporates lighter juices in the afternoon, and ends with simple, soothing juices.

Using a smart juice ordering strategy maximizes results and prevents energy crashes during your cleanse.

Modifying Your Cleanse

While the above schedule is a good guideline, feel free to modify based on your own needs:

• **If you exercise:** Add a protein-boosting almond milk or plant protein juice 30-60 minutes before workouts.
• **If you have low blood sugar:** Sub in an orange or apple juice if you feel shaky or lightheaded between meals.
• **If you get headaches:** Increase hydrating juices and add electrolyte sources like coconut water and spinach.
• **If you feel fatigued:** Jolt your system with ginger, cinnamon, or mint to stimulate digestion.

Listen to your body’s signals and adjust your cleanse juices accordingly. The goal is to provide your body with what it needs while cleansing, not to starve it or make it harder to detox.

Extending Your Cleanse

While one day juice cleanses provide benefits, extending your cleanse from 3-5 days can provide even greater results.

Here are some tips for longer cleanses:

• **Drink 8-10 glasses of juice per day** – This provides your body with sufficient calories and nutrients.
• **Try 1-2 nut milk or plant protein juices** – For protein and healthy fats to help you feel satiated.
• **Consider herbal teas** – They provide variety and can be sipped anytime.
• **Check in daily** – Assess hunger, energy, mood and adjust your juices as needed.
• **Break slowly** – When you finish cleansing, reintroduce solids gradually over 2-3 days.

With a smart juice ordering schedule and these tips, longer cleanses become easier. Just listen to your body and drink to nourish, hydrate, and detoxify.

Juice Cleanse Troubleshooting

While juice cleanses have many benefits, they can also come with some side effects. Here are tips for troubleshooting common issues:

Issue	Solution
Headache	Increase hydration, add electrolytes, ease off on fat burning juices
Fatigue	Add energizing juices like ginger, cinnamon, or mint
Hunger	Have an extra juice, add protein/fat sources like nuts
Dizziness	Drink something sweet like orange or apple juice
Bloating	Avoid cruciferous veggies, increase lemon water
Sugar cravings	Increase vegetable juices, add cinnamon, licorice root, or maca
Trouble sleeping	Avoid caffeinated juices before bed, increase magnesium rich juices

By listening to your body and adjusting your cleanse approach, you can overcome any side effects.

Ending Your Cleanse

Once you’ve completed your juice cleanse, congratulate yourself for accomplishing this nourishing health ritual! Be sure to end your cleanse mindfully as well:

• Introduce solids slowly with broths, soups, and smoothies
• Choose easy to digest foods like grains, legumes, tofu, and cooked veggies
• Chew thoroughly and eat until satisfied, not stuffed
• Keep hydrating with herbal tea, lemon water, and electrolytes
• Ease back into exercise rather than heavy workouts

Give your body 2-3 days to adjust back to regular eating. Avoid diving back into coffee, alcohol, heavy meats, dairy, and processed foods right away.

Keeping Up Your Momentum

Once your juice cleanse is done, don’t lose momentum! Harness the healthy habits you’ve formed:

• Keep drinking fresh juices and smoothies 1-2 times per day
• Incorporate more plant-based whole foods into your diet
• Drink lemon water first thing in morning and before meals
• Aim for 8 glasses of water per day
• Add herbal teas before bedtime
• Stick to your new exercise routine
• Maintain your supplementation regimen

And if you feel the need for another detox, consider repeating a juice cleanse 2-4 times per year with the seasons. Your body will thank you!

Conclusion

Juice cleansing provides incredible benefits – but only if you drink your juices in the right order. Follow the guidance provided here regarding juice ordering, troubleshooting, and transitions. Listen to your body, stick to a smart schedule, and you’ll achieve amazing detox results. Within a few days, you can flood your body with nutrients, give your GI tract a rest, kickstart weight loss, and re-energize for healthier living.