Juice your kilos away

Juice fasting is quickly gaining popularity as a faster way to lose weight in urban areas and those who have tried it are testifying to the success of this method. This fast, also a method of cleansing one’s body refers to a period when a person consumes only foods in juice form such as vegetables, raw fruits, herbal mixtures and drinks water and green tea for 10 days.

According to Faith Atim, of Well Care, a Juice Cleansing Health Group in Bandali Rise Bugolobi, who are a commercial producer of special juices, this practice digs its roots from an ancient Indian tradition of body cleansing.

It gives the body optimal nutrition and a break from having to digest solid food hence expelling all the unwanted materials out of the body.

Sarah Kyobe, who has done the fast before says when one takes on the challenge to fast, they have to prepare both mentally and emotionally.
This entails setting a target of the weight one plans on losing and getting rid of the craving that may cause temptation later.

The shopping list
Then comes the second stage, the shopping list. Members of the different groups doing the fast in form of a challenge get information concerning the list of items to use for the juice on the forums.

The list present the healthy foods one will be expected to consume in juice form for the 10 days. On Kyobe’s list, she had Beetroot, Turmeric, Lemon, Ginger, Apples and lots of green vegetables.

The juice is made by blending all the ingredients into liquid that one relies on for all the body nutrients for the next few days. However, according to Atim, there are variations to the diet dictated by one’s body type, health history and chronic diseases such as diabetes, ulcers among others.

“The first three days are pretty tough but afterwards it comes naturally. I never felt hungry during the days despite just drinking juice. However one should expect to ease themselves very frequently,” says Faith Kiconco who lost seven kilogrammes from the fast.

According to Jamiru Mpiima, a Nutritionist at Family Nutrition Uganda, juice fasting carries both negative and positive effects. The positive news is that the person fasting will no doubt loose the intended weight.

However, he strongly discourages the method because sometimes its results are deceptive. “Once you resume the normal diet after 10 days, the body receives this food as extra fat. This is why you will find a person regaining the weight or even gaining more a few days after fasting,” he says.

When used patiently and carefully, juice fasting can be a beautiful, nourishing tool to improve your health, clarity and sense of connection to self.

Sarah Kyobe's testimony

I was introduced to juice fasting by a friend who was already underway with the process after trying the gym and power walking a few failed times.

First I had to handle my cravings to avoid future temptations. I made sure I tasted a little of all my favourite snacks to get them out of my system. I then went for my shopping for the 10 days. The first day was coloured with determination.

My most challenging time in the next two days was the horrible smell and taste of the turmeric, one of the ingredients. I had to force myself to swallow. I then had to face the cravings on the third day. This is the point where you give up if you are not determined. On the fourth day, I was finally allowed to cheat with a whole solid apple.

I have never enjoyed a fruit before the same way I enjoyed that apple. The rest of the days were a blur of enthusiasm, hunger, jealous at others eating real food and finally triumph. I did not taste any solid cooked food for 10 days and I managed to loose four kilogrammes. I got the morale to follow through from social media groups where everyone under the process would meet and share experiences.

I was also monitored by my workmate who was also part of the programme. Juice fasting reshaped my way of life and eating habits.

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