There are multiple reasons why individuals choose to do a juice cleanse. Reasons may include weight loss, an opportunity to give the digestive system a rest, to re-evaluate current dietary habits or simply to add additional high-quality fruit and vegetables into their daily diet. Vegetable and fruit juice can provide a nutrient boost from easily accessible phytonutrients (plant chemicals), vitamins and minerals. It is important to note that a juice cleanse is not for everyone and should be considered thoroughly before starting.

A juice cleanse involves replacing most meals and snacks with fruit and vegetable juice for a short period of time. Before commencing a juice cleanse, always consider your nutrition and health goals and whether a juice cleanse is the right approach for you. If you do choose to go down this path, always start with a 1-day juice cleanse and make sure you are prepared for the week ahead.

If you haven't done a juice cleanse before start by adding additional vegetables including vegetable juice into your diet, reducing refine and processed foods like white bread, chocolate and processed meat the week before.

Always started with a 1-day juice cleanse to determine how your body reacts and how you feel.

Yes. It is important to nourish your body with colourful fruits and vegetables over this time. Try to aim for additional serves of vegetables throughout the day, focus on eating good quality, local and lean protein and lastly try to limit the addition of natural and artificial sweeteners or gut irritants (E.g. honey, maple syrup, sugar (any), brown rice syrup, sauces, caffeine and alcohol). There is no right or wrong when it comes to eating foods on a juice cleanse however use this time as an opportunity to try some different vegetables, lean proteins and experiment with simple cooking techniques such as steaming and baking. In terms of fluid, avoiding caffeine-containing beverage can help with the absorption of some plant-based nutrients such as non-haem iron found in green leafy vegetables. Instead of a daily coffee or caffeine-containing beverage focus on enjoying herbal teas varieties such as peppermint tea and camomile tea.

Water is essential to life. Make sure water is not restricted during the juice cleanse.  Women and men require 2L and 3L of water each day, respectively. During extensive exercise or hot weather, water intake may have to be increased to account for fluid losses through sweating. In consideration that the juices are 350ml each, 7 – 8 juices per day equate to 2.45L – 2.8L of fluid, therefore, you may only require an additional 1 – 2 glasses of water. If in doubt, drink water to thirst.

Yes, don't just jump straight into a juice cleanse. The week before, start by introducing additional fruit and vegetables into your diet, reducing refined grains and processed foods like white bread, chocolate and processed meats, and tone down the alcohol and caffeine. Introducing additional vegetables and reducing gut irritants such as alcohol and caffeine may make the transition to a more whole food diet packed with colour from vegetables and fruit easier and more sustainable after the cleanse.

Yes, often individuals do experience symptoms and side effects during a juice cleanse. Side effects may include hunger pangs, lethargy, fatigue, loose stools, bloating, cramps, and light-headedness.

There is no particular order you should drink them in. It is best to sip on the juices throughout the day and not consume a large quantity within a few minutes. The Mint Cooler contains Chia seeds providing fibre and a little bit of protein thus this juice may help reduce hunger pangs and encourage a feeling of fullness. Starting the day with, and consuming the Vital Greens juice at main meal times may provide some structure to the juice cleanse.

There is not hard and fast rule on how often you should complete a juice cleanse. Vegetable juice can be a welcoming addition to most dietary patterns without the need to complete a juice cleanse.

During a juice cleanse, the phytonutrient availability in the vegetable and fruit is more readily available. However, fibre, fat and protein are the main nutrients likely to be reduced during a juice cleanse.

Some nutrients in fruit and vegetables can interact with certain medications including those that thin blood, treat allergy symptoms, diuretics, antibiotics and kidney medication. For example, blood-thinning and heart medication can interact with vitamin K found in green leafy vegetables. As a result, this can change how the medication works in the body. Individuals with declining or reduced kidney function may experience detrimental effects on overall heart function due to an increased intake of potassium (found in fruit and vegetables) and fluid. If you are taking prescription medication and want to do a juice cleanse or simply want to add extra juices to your diet always consult your pharmacist and a medical doctor before starting.

It is always best to check with your medical doctor that is well versed in your medical history to determine if a juice cleanse is the right approach for you. There are conditions such as acute or chronic kidney disease where completing a juice cleanse can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys and place pressure on the heart. Additionally, individuals with heart conditions, gallbladder disease, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and those that have previously undergone gastric bypass surgery should not do a juice cleanse. If unsure, check with a doctor that knows your medical history.

No. During pregnancy and breastfeeding your body requires a much larger quantity of nutrients to fuel both you and your baby. It is important to include additional fruit and vegetables in your diet and this can be in the form of juice, however, a juice cleanse is not recommended.

It is not recommended children complete a juice cleansing protocol. A vegetable-based juice can help kids consume additional serves of vegetables each day. The regular consumption of fruit juice in a child's diet does contribute to dental caries, can displace other nutrients some of which include fibre, protein, and water from the diet, and can contribute to excessive weight gain.

Light exercise such as a walk along the beach would be okay but be aware of pushing yourself too far and always check in with your body to see how you are feeling.