Kate's Top Ten Reasons to Juice Feast or Juice Fast

So I have come up with what are, for me, the top ten reasons to juice feast. They are in no particular order.

1. You will let your digestive system rest from all the junk you have put into it over the years. We let our bodies rest after a long day by sleeping at the end of the day, we also need to give our digestive tract a rest every once in a while.

2. You will open the doors to healing your body. Since your body doesn't have to work so hard digesting solid food, your body can kick any healing it needs into high gear.

3. Weight loss (a personal favorite of mine). Some of this will actually be fat loss and some will be toxic junk that is being cleaned out of your body. I don't think any of this comes from muscle or water weight, but I am not an expert, so who knows? It would not make sense, however, that you would lose water weight, seeing as you are drinking a lot of juices and water. Although, you might release water weight if it is being retained due to toxins. The amount of toxins flushed out is probably also dependant on how much organic produce you use.

4. Mental clarity. I didn't even realize I had a "foggy" brain until I juice feasted for two days. It is really amazing how much clearer you can think. I feel smarter.: ) Maybe this is why so many juice feasters find solutions to problems or suddenly get in tune with their spirituality. They are able to really, clearly, focus on just thinking.

5. Juice feasting is like spring cleaning your body. We (well most of us) wouldn't dream of having a messy or dirty house, but our bodies get left out of the picture sometimes. We also will spend hundreds of dollars and copious amounts of time beautifying our exterior. Don't our bodies deserve the same attention on the inside as on the outside?

6.Juice feasting will infuse your entire body with nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants! (Another favorite of mine.)Who doesn't need this? The majority of the American population is possibly, if not probably, malnourished because of the type of foods we are consuming on a daily basis. You may say, "Oh, but I eat my veggies with dinner" or "I eat a salad every day for lunch". Well, your dinnertime vegetable is most likely cooked, and therefore many of the nutrients aren't there anymore. And that salad? Well chances are there is a lot of iceberg lettuce in it, which doesn't have a lot of nutrition either, and it is also probably smothered in yummy ranch dressing. Certainly supplements can help, but in my opinion, supplements are not near as good as the real thing! Sometimes they are not absorbed very well, and depending on the supplement it can be synthetic. Yuck! So it's time to pump up the nutrition people! You CAN do it!

7. Your immune system will be given a much needed boost. This is very important! No one likes to be sick. If your immune system is strong, your body will be able to fight off the illnesses that cross your path. You will either not get sick, or your sickness will be quite mild in comparison to what it would have been if you didn't have a strong, healthy immune system.

8. Juice feasting also creates an awareness and a thankfulness for food. You sure are thankful once you start eating again, right? But it's not just that, it is more of a mindset you have when you eat. I have found that I have a new appreciation and respect for the food I am eating.

9. I have found that for me, juice feasting is like a restart button for my food cravings and for my eating habits in general. (Also a favorite of mine.) My mom was sick with the flu a few weeks ago, and something she said to me really stuck with me. She had been going about a week with no food, just some water and juices, and said that when she started eating again, she didn't have the cravings for sugar that she once had. I found that the same thing happened to me when I did my two day juice fast. I didn't crave sugar or chocolate! That is HUGE for me! (Especially the chocolate!) The cravings have come back, but it was over several days, and probably only because I chose the reintroduce the sugar. Anyway, I am really looking forward to the cravings being gone again. It is a very good feeling to feel freedom from food. Food doesn't had to control you anymore.

10. I have also found that I can eat less now. This has helped me keep off the 4 pounds I lost while on my first feast. I haven't gained it back, and in fact I have lost another pound since the feast! I give all credit to the after effects of the juice feast. The ability to eat less and the no cravings was what did it for sure!

These are the things I have found to be benefitial for me from my first juice feast. I know I will find more and more perks along the way. Happy feasting!