AM: What happens during a cleanse and why should you do it? JR: Toxic build-up is often the cause of weight gain and disease in our bodies. Dietary cleansing draws out these toxins, allowing for inner healing and a healthier, slimmer you. Cleansing approaches the body from a fundamentally different perspective than calorie-restricted diets. Instead of counting calories and eating less, a proper cleanse is comprised of eating nutritionally abundant foods so that the body can purge toxins and wastes that accumulate in organs and weigh us down. Cleansing is a prime way to jumpstart a healthy program or a tremendous way to boost an existing healthy program. No matter which type you choose, you will see very real benefits in your body, from weight loss to clearer skin to more energy to better sleep. AM: How can someone cleanse in a healthy way? JR: Ideally, cleanses should be done at a time when there is minimal stress and physical demands. Your body will be hard at work detoxifying, and so it’s best if you are able to rest and take it easy throughout. However, if you have an athletic, active lifestyle, you can still do a cleanse! The key is, you should be sure that your daily caloric intake is adequate and that your cleanse contains a source of plant-based protein to support your body’s demands. It’s also essential that you ease into a cleanse so that it is not a shock to your system (and you avoid unpleasant detox symptoms). In the days prior, you should eat lots of whole, plant-based foods, avoid dairy, grains, fried or processed foods, sweets, artificial creamers & sweeteners, soda, & alcohol, and drink LOTS of water. Cleansing is NOT fasting.
An ideal cleanse should involve adequate caloric intake to sustain regular daily functioning, while at the same time, encouraging the body to eliminate toxic waste. This can be done in three different ways, each with varying levels of difficulty - juice cleansing, smoothie cleansing, or an all raw food cleanse (that also includes the juices and the smoothies). Various Ways to Cleanse Your Body: Juice cleansing is traditionally done for a shorter duration of time and promotes fuller cleansing at a quicker rate, while still being nutritionally sound if juice from leafy greens are a significant portion of the cleanse. Smoothie cleansing is usually easier to sustain for a longer period of time, and also promotes full cleansing, just at a slightly slower rate. As long as dark, leafy greens are included in a good portion of the smoothies, this is also nutritionally sound for longer lengths of time. Raw Food cleansing would include juices, green smoothies, and a wide variety of fruits, veggies, raw nuts and seeds to ensure adequate nutrient intake. This can also include healthy teas and other superfoods. This type of cleanse can be the most satisfying because there are a lot more options. AM: What are the various cleanse options that Raw Generation has available and how do you know which one is right for you? JR: Skinny Cleanse - Our most popular cleanse option, providing 6 coldpressed juices a day. It’s perfect for everyone who wants to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle and shed a few pounds fast. However, if you select the Skinny Cleanse you should be sure to do it at a time when you have minimal physical demands.
