Juice Diet

Introduction: Juice Diet

There are many versions of a juice diet. In general, juice diets are built around one food - fruit and/or vegetable juices sometimes combined with yogurt and/or protein powders and other vitamin and herbal supplements. Juice diets are commonly used for weight loss and/or detoxifying or cleansing the body of toxins. There is no evidence that a juice diet or any other diet is any more effective at detoxifying the body than the body's own organs. Juice diets also may make other unsafe or unsubstantiated claims for such results as rapid weight loss, increased metabolic performance, increased energy, and improved absorption of nutrients. In many juice diets, all solid foods are banned, which can result in the elimination of whole food groups from the diet, nutritional deficiencies, and health problems such as osteoporoses. Caloric intake may also be severely restricted. When a diet is too low in calories, rebound weight gain is common. This is due to the fact that severe calorie restriction results in the body going into "starvation" mode, which leads to a lower metabolism, the body's way to try to prevent complete starvation. This often leads to gaining even more weight then was lost after the diet has been discontinued. This may encourage "yo-yo" dieting patterns that are unhealthy and do not result in effective weight control. Severe calorie and nutrient restriction can also lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood pressure, dizziness, and weakness. They can also result in ketoacidosis, a condition in which severe restriction of calories or carbohydrates leads to dangerously high levels of acids called ketones build up in the blood and can poison the body.

Juices can, however, be a healthy part of a well balanced weight loss program or diet. This is especially true if the juice is made from fresh fruits and/or vegetables without added sugar or fat. Because of their natural sweetness, fruit juices may be able to satisfy a "sweet tooth" and make a much better choice for a snack than processed sweets, candy, or cookies, which are loaded with empty calories, sugar, and saturated fats. A safe and healthy diet plan can include juices but stresses the eating of sufficient calories of balanced nutrition. This includes lean proteins low in saturated and trans fats, low sodium foods, vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, and healthy fats, such as olive oil and flaxseed oil. Good, effective weight loss plans also include a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise. Credible diets include methods and other strategies to help dieters to stick to their eating plans, such as keeping a diet journal and networking with other dieters and via online bogs, forums, or social networking services. The best diet plans also stress the importance of developing healthy, reasonable eating patterns that can be maintained for a lifetime, and that dieters not lose more the one to two pounds per week. In contrast, many juice diets claim that dieters can lose up to three to four pounds a day. However, initial rapid weight loss is generally due to fluid loss, not fat loss. Any diet may have the potential to be harmful, so consultation with a health care provider before starting a diet plan and exercise program is recommended.

Juice Diet: Other Names

Other names for this diet (Juice Diet) include:

Juice Fast

Juice Diet: Similar Diets

Other diets similar to Juice Diet include:

Liquid Diet
Lemonade Diet
Master Cleanse Lemonade Diet
Lemonade Fast
Grapefruit diet
Detox Diet
Cleansing Diet
Fruit Flush
Hollywood 48 Hour Miracle Diet

Conditions Associated with Juice Diet

Conditions associated with Juice Diet include:

An alleged need to detoxify the body
Obesity
Overweight
Weight gain
Not recommended for weight loss

Foods Excluded Or Restricted From Juice Diet

The following foods may be restricted or excluded from Juice Diet:

Most or all foods other than juice

Foods Focused On For Juice Diet

The following foods may be focused on as part of Juice Diet:

Juices made form a variety of ingredients, depending on specific diet plan
Vitamins and supplements, depending on specific diet plan
Protein powder, depending on specific diet plan

Juice Diet: Potential Risks Or Complications

The following are potential risks or complications of the diet (Juice Diet):

Nutritional deficiencies
Potentially dangerous electrolyte imbalances
Osteoporosis due to a lack of calcium in diet
Ketoacidosis may result from extreme calorie and/or carbohydrate restricted diets, which can lead to dangerously high levels of acids called ketones that build up in the blood and can poison the body
Rebound weight gain after rapid weight loss
Low blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, fainting after rapid weight loss
Not recommended for people with diabetes and other medical conditions
Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women