I saw countless doctors, specialists, and nutritionists, until one day I took matters into my own hands and started changing my diet. I would wake up with a breakfast spinach juice and then re-energize at lunch with a lemongrass de-stresser. Dinner would be supplemented by some sweet potato juice, and before I knew it, I was a juicing convert. I also carefully designed it to deliver concentrated nutrients, along with some pretty necessary fiber, fat, and protein, to make sure my body was balanced so I didn’t crash and burn. The juice recipes I rely on always have a naturally low-fructose content, and the almond milk provides protein, which helps stabilize blood glucose levels. The nuts are there for crunch, protein, and fiber so that my energy levels stay high. These two things I’ve learned along the way are key to my success with juicing: Eating a balanced diet is difficult, but doing so is key to being healthy and happy, especially when it comes to juicing. Juice diets that last for 5, 7, or 21 days felt way too extreme to me. You might lose weight temporarily, but that weight comes creeping back after you’ve left your body so undernourished and your mental state unhappy, exhausted, and filled with cravings. I know it feels natural to cook and eat, but when I increased the amount of raw foods in my diet, I felt the difference. The bottom line: Like me, you may not need an extreme juice cleanse to become a healthier person. All you need is to take it one day at a time, starting with a little juice.
