Juice cleansing has long been praised by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Anniston as a remedy to reset the body. Supposed benefits of a juice cleanse include better sleep, weight loss, and even reduced sugar cravings. Some doctors and nutritionists dispute the idea of juice cleanses being a wonder-cure for all, but the one thing that they do agree on is that increasing one’s fruit and vegetable nutrient intake is usually a good thing.
I have probably done about a dozen juice cleanses in my life. Of the very early ones, a small few were successful. Many ended with me face-first in a family-sized bag of crisps. But even after the cleanses I didn’t manage to stick to, I tended to feel better. And, I kept coming back. Why? Because I learnt to change the rules.
The words ‘cleanse’ and ‘detox’ can be daunting. It was these words that weighed on me whenever folded over my laptop with fatigue, browsing the best and most affordable juice cleanse in London. I’d think back to the slight sense of failure I’d felt following my less successful cleanses, as though I hadn’t done it quite right. But I’d also remember how good I felt physically afterwards. So, I decided to try again. This time with the simple aim of adding the juices into my diet without the pressure to cut anything out.
After three days, I felt more energised and found I didn’t need a coffee to function. My digestion was running smoother and I felt fresh when I woke up in the morning. It helped too that the juices I was drinking were actually enjoyable. I chose a cleanse from Radiance Cleanse whose range of juices taste fresh, zingy, and delicious. I was shocked to find that I genuinely looked forward to my green juices (the ones that in the past I’d usually have to pinch my nose and swallow in one).
The next time I embarked on a juice cleanse, I did so with a similar mindset. This time experimenting with stalling my usual breakfast smoothie until about midday and opting for a light meal for supper. I’d punctuate my morning and afternoon with juices and avoid alcohol for the duration. The knock-on effect of my first successful juice cleanse was that I no longer relied on four coffees to get me through the day so I kept up with my daily espresso whilst cleansing this time as I knew by now that total deprivation didn’t work for me.
Again, I loved the results. I felt better in my mind and body and knew I was doing myself some good. And so this became my juice cleanse. I try to order a cleanse two or three times a year and have been cleansing this way for the last two years. Sometimes, I even ditch the coffee. Often it will be after finishing a long stint where both my work life and social life have been particularly draining. If I can, I try to book one in ahead of any events where I want to feel my best. I’ve stuck with Radiance Cleanse throughout and the last cleanse I did was just before my wedding. For me, their juices still taste the best, and I love the addition of a daily ginger shot they also send.
The all-or-nothing methodology can be crippling when trying to look after one’s health and often leads to that dreaded feeling of disappointment. But the truth is that there is no one size fits all. If, like me, you’ve considered a juice cleanse but had concerns about whether it would work for your lifestyle or not, consider writing your own rules.
It doesn’t always have to be about cutting things out. Perhaps, more important is focusing on what we choose to put in.
Favourite Juice? The Root Boost. It’s made with beetroot, apple, carrot, lemon, and spinach and has a delicious subtle sweetness that makes it a great one for mid-afternoon. I also love the Pure Greens 4. All green but it really does taste great.
Best Cleanse For A First Timer? I’d start with the Signature Cleanse. It has a great balance of fruit and vegetable juices, so you get a huge variety of flavours and colours throughout your day. All of the juices contain some fruit, which can be easier on the palate. It also comes with a delicious creamy cashew milk.
Find our more about Radiance Cleanse.
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