Where did the Vitamins go?

Over the next week I will be planning how to successfully juice and only juice for 30 days. I know what you are immediately thinking: "That can't be healthy" "You can't get all the nutrients you need doing that" "People always seem cranky when doing a juice fast". And guess what: You could be right. So I'll address briefly each response that I would likely have received.

"That can't be healthy"

A juice fast first of all should only be attempted by those without certain pre-existing conditions. For a list of those conditions check out a multitude of sites listed on google or any other search engine. For the most part it pertains to those undergoing chemo, anybody with kidney disease, diabetes, or those already majorly lacking a group or groups of nutrients. I am not the expert here so please do your research and don't take my advice as the ultimate truth. Here is the skinny though: The average American plate of food consists of a protein 3 times the amount we need, a small portion of over-cooked and processed vegetable, a white starch like mashed potatoes or corn that has also been processed and you can probably find a roll or two on the side. So where are the nutritional holes there? Everything is present, right? Let's see... over-cooked veggies: a little Vitamin C, a little iron perhaps... protein source is most likely high in saturated fats, too much of it... carbohydrates (energy) in the rolls AND in the potatoes which is OK because we all need that many carbohydrates (energy) for the crazy amount of running we do daily... or don't do. What would a day of juice fasting consist of? Beets, carrots, oranges, apples, fennel, celery, blueberries, avocado, bananas, cabbage, cranberries, tomatoes, papaya, pineapple, etc., etc... If you have never made even one juice (with a juicer, not a mixer) you would be amazed at the sheer amount of veggies and fruit it takes to fill one cup. So it's the colorful blend of powerful fruits and vegetables versus the mix of brown stuff on a plate. You decide which packs more nutrients and which is the one that's truly lacking anything other than the power to fill our stomach.

"You can't get all the nutrients doing that (a juice fast)"

It does take some effort and research to make sure that all the macro-nutrients (carbs, proteins, fats) are sufficient and you should also know which veggies and fruits will supply you with which micro-nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.). So here is the skinny on this topic: If done correctly (and there are plenty of informative recipes and guides out there), I'm willing to bet my own health on the fact that not only CAN you get all the nutrients our bodies really want and need, but you are more likely to do so than with your average American diet. I will also add that fruit and vegetables purchased at farmers markets or at least in the organic section (meaning no pesticides or harmful fertilizers have been used) will give you a huge increase on the nutrients you'll get. Take for instance a tomato. In industrial sized grow-houses tomatoes are gassed to ripen faster. This process is thought to zap about 70% of it's beneficial nutrients. And then after processing those tomatoes into the variety of ready to grab products at our local superstore, they can and often only contain 10% of their thought to be nutritious value. The same is true for juices, even those "never made from concentrate". Orange juice (for instance) at the store will almost always (no matter the label) not contain the amount of say Vitamin C that the label proclaims. How about a locally grown batch of organic oranges.. squeeze those suckers into a juice and the only processing and handling is you putting in some effort to make the juice yourself. So back to the average American plate: That mix of processed brown stuff on the plate or whole UN-altered fruits and veggies? You decide which packs more variety of nutrients.

"People always seem cranky when doing a juice fast"

Yes, they seem it and they probably are. But only at the beginning. If you do it right (and I'm not talking about some ridiculous "let's only eat grapefruit for a week" fast) you will experience fatigue and become a smaller version of the Grinch. But why? The foods we eat on a regular basis send certain signals to our brain. For instance, the saturated fats of a BigMac trigger and take up certain receptors in our brain. Take the BigMac and those similar foods away and those same receptors are not happy because they aren't filled as often. Call it a sort of "food withdrawal" if that helps put it in context. So is that enough to justify a label of "Juice fasts are bad because you get grumpy"? If that is the argument, wouldn't you be saying the same thing about drugs and alcohol? You quit smoking and you get grumpy because nicotine receptors aren't being taken up. So to put it plain and simple: Don't look at the feeling of being tired and grumpy the first 2 or 3 days as a bad thing, look at it as your body showing you how used to all the bad stuff it got over time. I could go on and ramble but I will leave you here.

My message isn't to stop eating all solid food forever and shun those that do, this is my message to you: Start with substituting one or two breakfasts or lunches or dinners a week with a balanced juice mix. It won't be hard to do and even making those small improvements in your diet will give you tons of nutrients you wouldn't usually get. Good luck!