I’m a huge fan of juicing. I just love it!! And because so many of you have asked me to elaborate on it, I’ve decided to share what my juice cleanses look like from start to finish!
So let’s start at the beginning shall we? Okay well wait, one second. First and foremost let me say, I am not a nutritionist and I don’t claim to know everything. I just know how my body reacts to juicing and it’s nice to shed 5-7 pounds when I’m feeling bloated. I also know it’s not for everyone – so if you’re totally anti juicing, might I suggest you check out these healthy quinoa salads I’ve been whipping up post juice cleanse!
Okay, ready? Let’s go.
I usually juice for about 5-6 days. 2 years ago when I first started, it was a 3 day cleanse. Which really means 9 days… because there is a 3 day pre cleanse and 3 day post cleanse schedule that I follow. That means, in the 3 days leading up to the cleanse, I cut out basically everything except fruits and veggies. I eat lots of loaded salads with different veggies, drink boat loads of tea, and obscene amounts of water to prepare myself.
So once I’ve got the 3 days of pre-cleansing under my belt, it’s time to hop into the juicing stage. Let’s talk equipment. I have the Breville Slow Juicer. It’s amazing. I’m obsessed and I like the “slow” juicers because you actually extract more fiber and nutrients from the fruits and veggies which gives you more pulp and gives you a bit of a thicker juice and all that jazz.
So during my 3, 4, 5, or 6 days of “juicing” I drink about 6 glasses of juice a day and 6 glasses of water. I make 3 kinds of juice and for lack of better names, I call them by color:
Green Juice
Red Juice
Orange Juice
I usually have 3 large glasses of green juice, 2 orange juices and 1 red juice. And then there is the strawberry almond milk I have at the end of they day.
So here’s what a day would look like for me:
7:00 am wake up – drink some white ginger tea
8:00 am – Green Juice #1
10:00 Orange Juice #1
12:00 Green Juice #2
2:00 Red Juice #1
4:00 Green Juice #2
6:00 Orange Juice #2
8:00 Almond Milk and some more white ginger tea
And that’s about it. Then it’s off to bed where my dreams are usually filled with food. Just kidding, kinda, not really. It’s hard when I live in the food world not to dream about food!!
Post juice cleanse I slowly work my body back onto normal food. I eat lots of raw veggies to start and then slowly work in fruits, quinoa, farro etc. I usually try to stay off of meat for a few more days because that’s just how I roll. And I can promise you when you work your way around to having a burger post juice cleanse – it’s going to be the most delicious thing in the whole wide world. Omg. Seriously.
If you’re new to juicing, I’d say start with a 3 day cleanse. They aren’t easy – and you want to make sure you aren’t going crazy all the time! So I vote for starting on the shorter side and seeing how your body reacts. And for sure, don’t skip the pre and post cleanse – I’ve done it before and it’s not pretty. Your body basically kicks you in the stomach. Trust me.
Day 1 is always the hardest for me because I am “head” hungry. Which basically means I think I’m hungry… but really I’m not. I’m just bored and want to eat. Truth is, I’m packing my body with so many micro nutrients, it has plenty to run on. I just start day dreaming about grilled cheese sandwiches and then I go crazy. So if you’re juicing, you should probably stay off the food section of Pinterest. 
By day 2 I feel like a million bucks. I sleep better at night, wake up in the morning ready to go. (I literally jump out of bed and Thomas thinks I’m a crazy person) Okay and this might sound weird, but you actually see things more clearly. Not figuratively… I mean literally. Things are sharp and crisp and you’re just ready to take on the day!
So… you might be wondering why I juice? Well, I love it. I do it about every 2-3 months as a way to re-set my body and let it rest. And have you guys ever seen that movie, Fat Sick and Nearly Dead? It’s kinda life changing. I’d highly recommend it if you’re into this kinda thing. It’s super inspiring.
Alright. Ready for some recipes… I am going to give you recipes for all 4 of the liquids I drink during the cleanse. And each recipe is enough for 1 glass.
Ingredients
Instructions
Ingredients
Instructions
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Instructions
Ingredients
Instructions
It’s pretty clear that I need my own Breville Juicer. I’d love to be able to create my own 3-day cleanse once in a while. Thanks for those recipes!!! So I’m on the 4th day right now of a 6-day juice cleanse. You would have totally laughed at me yesterday- I was filming the video trailer for my cookbook and had to pretend to be eating things that I was making all day long. It was hysterical. I actually took a bite of my red velvet cake and then had to spit it into a napkin, lol! I didn’t want to ruin my cleanse!! I totally agree that the pre and post are important. And I love the amazing feeling I have after a cleanse. Thanks to YOU for introducing me to cleansing in the first place
rock on Lori!!! Love that you’re going strong!! And I’ve totally done the same thing for filming before! Hysterical
Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on Facebook about people having success with juicing. I was just thinking to myself this morning… what kindof juices are they drinking?! I’ve tried many on the Williams-Sonoma website, but several of them are down right nasty. And others don’t really seem that healthy.
Thanks for the step-by-step tutorial. I am going to give this a try. I’ll make sure I tell EVERYONE about it, so I get the full health benefits
Brandon
AND… I have a question. Can you make any of these in advance or do they need to be consumed directly after juicing?
I usually make them in bulk and then keep them for 2 days max. Otherwise they get a little funky!
Excellent! Thanks
These are very creative combinations–yum!
What amazing variety Gaby! I should try this…
this is SUCH an awesome post, Gaby. I love how detailed it is and it really does uncover the truth about juicing and how to do it, etc. I’ve always been so curious about it and I really do want to try a pre-wedding cleanse. I’m going to have to make some of these juices from you and give it a shot! You’re such a trooper for being able to do 6 DAYS!!
Girl, you have some really GREAT, juicy ideas here. Thanks!
I need to do this! So inspiring!
These look great! Unfortunately I don’t have a juicer and my budget definitely won’t allow for one right now. Can you think of an alternative? Would a blender work? Thanks!
a blender would work for the green juice for sure!!!
Someday I will try a juice cleanse! If only I could juice cookies:)
Looks fantastic. I’m going to take the plunge and try it out. Are you able to exercise while on the cleanse?
yes!! I exercise the whole time!! But I don’t go do crazy things like rock climb… more spinning and yoga etc
These are great ideas – thanks Gaby! I am in the process of researching to buy a juicer and can’t wait to give it a try!
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Oooo, we love juicing! We have a Nekter Juice Bar walking distance from our house, but how fun to make it at home! Bookmarking this for sure
I have never tried to juice but really want to. I ordered a 3 day Blue Print juice cleanse to do next week. If I like it I want to buy a juicer and make my own next time.,,and I will use your recipes
I love blue print!! They cashew milk is soooooo good!! I always feel like it’s such a treat to drink that at the end of the day! Good luck! xo
Such dedication! I loooove juicing but I’m not sure I have enough self control to do it as a cleanse haha One question, do you make the juice and drink it right away or do you make big batches and store it to drink over three days? I heard if you make bigger batches the juice can lose it’s nutrients after like an hour, do you know if that’s true??
I juice every morning to make enough to last me through the day! I think it’s true that juices can lose some of their nutrients if they are sitting around for too long – but I find that just doing them each morning totally works!! And then I just store them in air tight containers until it’s time to drink!
Gaby, I will juice every now and then when I felt it was time to clean the pipes and love the healthy feeling from it when I do. I am having surgery soon and plan to cleanse post-surgery and can’t wait to use your recipes! I am wondering if you could post some of your recipes for pre and post-cleanse? Thank you!
Hey Theresa!
Good luck with surgery first of all!
And yes – I’ll be posting a BUNCH of the healthy recipes in the coming weeks. A lot of them already live in the “healthy/figure friendly” section on my recipe index… but I’ve got more coming for SURE!!
XO
Thanks! I noticed your healthy recipes after I sent my comment. I am so excited to start making your dishes! I love your site- Thank you for sharing such wonderful creative good food!
Do you just lose water weight? Do you find yourself gaining it all right back?
I usually keep most of it off! Like if I loose 6 lbs… I only gain 1 back usually. But I’m also eating much “cleaner” post cleanse too!
I’m curious to know why you don’t juice everyday….. I wonder if juicing and eating normal health food everyday would give me the same results. And if juicing gives you so much energy and clarity, why don’t you drink everyday?
Hey Paola!
I love juicing, and I do usually make a green juice once a day… but I also love eating, so I like to incorporate the two!
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These juices sound delicious. I can’t wait to try it. Thank you!
Soo….what does day 1-3 and 6-9 of pre and post look like? I need to do this and i love juicing! And I need a serious cleanse after the holidays and a month of travel. I drink detox tea and hot water with lemon….but need a week of a cleanse! Tips welcome
I do all fruits and veggies for pre and post! no booze, caffeine or sugar! Or meat
So just lots of salads, green tea, and fruits!
Wow. Now that I’ve done the three day cleanse I can see what you’re talking about. I think just jumping into the cleanse (which I did) was pretty intense and I’ll make sure to do the pre-game warm up next time. Thanks for the great recipes! Time to start saving up for a juicer!
Ps you’re so right about staying away from Pinterest…And Instagram, too!
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Gaby this is super inspiring and helpful… I’ve just started my first three day juice fast, not easy but I am sure it’ll be worthy
good luck ana!! you’ll be great
I’m new to juicing- but I just got the Breville slow juicer! Do you make a larger batch to drink for the day or do you make a new drink each time? I work and go to school currently- so making a new drink every few hours doesn’t seem possible. Thanks
I made big batches at the beginning of each day!! That way I only have to clean the juicer once
Have fun juicing!!
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Hello,
Can I use Vitamix instead of a juicer? Thanks!
Hi Mary! You can totally use your vitamix but it will be more like a smoothie! Still equally as delicious – but it won’t be just juice. Which actually means you’ll be getting more fiber which is great!
Making my list of veggies and wondering if you use raw beets oppose to cooked? I suppose it wouldnt be easy juicing cooked beets?
raw beets
Nothing is cooked so you keep all the nutrients in tact! Happy juicing! if you have any other questions – don’t hesitate to email!!
Thanks Gaby! Can’t wait to start!
I went to a few different produce stores and didn’t have any luck finding Turmeric root and found the powder instead. Any suggestions for a substitute or can I just give the drink a dash of Turmeric?
I have a question: I have a blender only, and no juicer. Is it still a ‘cleanse’ if it’s just straight-up the whole vegetables blended together into like a smoothie? I feel like it might be equivalent because of the extra nutrients, fiber, etc., but wondered what you thought.
Awesome recipes, by the way! On my second day of drinking them as smoothies and they’re fantastic. I love the green one
Hey Molly! It’s totally still a cleanse if you use a blender rather than a juicer! I think that’s actually better because you are getting more fiber as you said. Glad to hear that you’re loving it!! I bet you feel great
Starting the pre-cleanse today and I can’t wait to follow your juicing plan! I loved fat, sick and nearly dead and ended up here after a quick google search!
Can’t wait
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What do you mean by a “slice” of pinapple?
Do you work while you do the juice fast? I work crazy hours and am trying to figure out how I can balance juicing and keeping up my energy with 12 hour shifts… Any advice?
Hi Charisa,
Yes, I work while juicing. I usually start my cleanses on Saturday so I have 2 days to be at home before going back to work on Monday!
And the juice actually gives you a lot of energy
Sometimes if my energy is super low at work, I’ll snack on some celery 
Hope this helps!
Hey! I’m planning to follow your plan next week. Super excited to try your Almond Milk recipe. Do you happen to know the daily calorie count on this plan?
HI! I was so excited to find your juice plan. I am planning to do a juice cleanse next week. Really excited to try out the almond milk. Yum! One question, roughly how many calories a day do you intake on this plan?
Hi Sheran! Unfortunately I don’t have the calorie count on the juices. Sorry!
are the carrots whole carrots or baby carrots?
are the carrots whole carrots or baby carrots?
whole carrots!
Hi there! i was just wondering how expensive all of these ingredients will be? would you say you spend more or save more when you cleanse? thanks!
Soooooo I think I spend less in groceries… maybe $40 a day? But I do spend a lot of time cleaning the juicer… which is painful, but what can ya do! It also depends if I can get things at my farmers market since that’s cheaper than the regular grocery store. But a cleanse in LA is about $70 a day, so I’m saving some money by juicing at home!
When doing this in a blender is it ok to use almond or coconut milk to blend
sure thing!
I cook for my whole family, 3 meals per day for everyone. My husband works long hours and my kids are not old enough to make their own meals. I’m worried that I won’t have the willpower to stick with it while I am preparing all that yummy food for everyone else. Any tips for staying on course?
Hi Lori! What if you made some dishes ahead of time and kept them in the freezer? That way you could just pull them out, pop them in the oven, and you dont have to cook them for the few days you’re juicing? That’s what I’d do
Gaby, I am new to your site and just love your insights and commentary. I see you are using the new Breville vertical juicer and just wanted to comment that their are also multi-purpose juicer options that offer the slow juicing abilities and can do nut butters and baby food! Check out the Omega Nutrition Center juicers, not too spendy and they look nice too!
Hi Gaby,
I am totally new to juicing although I have been on a few water fasts before. I really love your article and would like to thank you so much for it. Your recipes sound so delicious, I have finally decided to start a 6 days juicing (plus preparation of course) but I just have a quick question. I understand that your juices are mainly sweet and cold(right)? How would you recommand to go about juicing some vegs with hot water to make it more like a soup, at least for 2 or 3 of the meals? It’s just for the salt craving people like me… 6 days of sweet juices can be a bit long…
Waiting to read your reply
Hi Dee,
I’ve never tried making the juices more soupy – and yes they are all cold. I think the only thing I can see with the hot juices is that steaming or simmering the veggies kills some of the nutrients – but that said – I still think it would work for juicing! I say give it a go! Let me know for sure
Hope this helps!
Hi Gaby,
Just wondering if it’s ok to add tofu or any other protein source to the juices? If so, will they still be effective for a cleanse? Thanks!
Hi Dawn,
hmmmm that’s a good question. I’m not sure. I’ve never tried it or see it with protein – so my guess it that would alter the results. I’ll ask around and see if I can get an answer!
Hello! How do I add beets to the juice? They are tough to cut raw, should they first be boiled? Also I work out pretty hard at the gym, should I do lighter workouts so as not to faint or you think I will be just fine? Thanks!!
Hi Jen – just chop up the raw beets and add them to the juicer!!
I usually decrease the intensity of my workout during a cleanse so I don’t over-do it! But you’ll know what feels best for your body – so I’d just trust yourself! Good luck~
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Hi, Are you supposed to strain the almond milk or do you also eat the pulp? Thank you!
I eat the pulp too!
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Hi, I noticed that in your normal daily routine you have two Green Juice #2′s
So do you have 3 green juices total and only 1 Red juice per day or do you have 2 of each color each day?
Yes, I drink more of the green juice than any other of the juicers. 3 greens a day for me.
I have been researching juice cleanses for some time now and would like to try one soon, I like they way your “program” is designed and will probably be following the recipes you have provided. My one question to you is how much do the recipes yield and what are your serving sizes? Are the recipes listed for one serving or multiple, and are you taking in 8oz per consumption? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the recipes! I have an overactive thyroid and have been told to stay away from kale….what can I use as a substitute?
Hey Ashley! What about using some Chard or arugula? Would those work.
Hey Gaby!
I am on day 24 of what started as a 3day cleanse! now, I am shooting for 30 days! I just wanted to say thanks, because found your website to be very helpful when I first started! Just one question…I noticed you and many others sites sometimes use Almond Milk! Doesn’t Almond Milk sort of contradict the 100% juice fast and slightly wakes up the digestion? If not, please advise, because my research thus far has shown pros and cons to using Almond Milk! Thanks!
Hi There
i am new to juicing and was wondering if these servings are 8oz?
Can i use turmeric powder form? is it just for flavor?
Hi Maria!
Yes, they are about 8 ounces. Some might be slightly more and some slightly less. And I’ve never used turmeric powder, but I’d imagine it’s the same thing. Although if you can find fresh turmeric, give it a go as it’s excellent!
So are we to drink all the juice in one day. The red juice and almond one is so much i was just wondering if i should save half for the next day?
So are we to drink all the juice in one day. The red juice and almond one is so much i was just wondering if i should save half for the next day? My husband has now started on this cleanse too
I have a question…I typically stay away from milky type drinks or substances. Is there a viable substitute for the Strawberry Almond Milk drink? I am allergic to milk and I stay away from some nuts because of an allergic reaction a few years back.
Hey Charm, I don’t know if there is a sub. Are you allergic to all nuts? Because you could easily make this with cashews or walnuts too!
This cleanse looks great! Just curious what the nutritional value of the almond milk is/what role does it play in the cleanse. And are there any alternatives to the strawberry almond milk? Thanks!!
The nut milk is the most caloric of all the juices and its great to drink at night because your body then gets some nourishment before you go to sleep. You could easily do this with cashews or walnuts too!
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Do you add water to your recipes? I just made the red and it is like pudding! LOL!
no i’ve never added water to the juices – did you use a slow juicer?
Wonderful information regarding the cleanse, it’s just what I was looking for, but have yet to come across anything definitive until I found your site. Thanks again, will be back.
LB
Hi! i really wanna do your cleanse but i like my coffee. can i still drink my coffee while doing this? thanks!
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hi! we met at the ferry bldg like a month ago (i’m aida’s friend).
i am on my first juice cleanse and am using your recipes/plan. they’re really delicious!
-omar
yay!! Thanks Omar
Is the juicer that you have quiet? I have a very old juicer that I found in the basement of my parents house (so old that the instructions came with a cassette tape) and it is so loud it is impossible to have a conversation while it is going and it drives my boyfriend crazy!
Thanks!
YES it’s fairly quite!! A lot more quite than anything from a few years ago
Will I lose a lot of weight?
It all really depends on your body type! Sorry I can’t give a better answer
Where can I find some cute straws like yours?
Thank you for the pre warm up plan! I’m about to embark on a juice cleanse so I started juicing more and eating big salads. I will make sure to clean up my diet even more and post pone starting. It makes sense to give the body time to adjust.
I found the straws on Etsy!!
After watching Fat, Sick and nearly dead I went out that night and bought a juicer. I am on day 2 of my juice cleanse. My biggest worry was being hungry but so far I am not hungry at all! I actually feel really bloated and my belly hurts. I guess maybe it’s just getting used to all the juice? Do you have any recipes for a stomach soother? I hope this gets better soon!
Hi Whitney, I don’t have anything on the site – but have you tried drinking any caff-free tea? Or hot water with lemon? That might help! Let me know
I have not tried that but I will get some and give it a try. I was expecting to feel “empty” and not so full! I will let you know if it helps. Thanks again…you have an awesome site. I can’t wait to try some of your recipes when I am done with the cleanse!
Thanks girl!!
Hi Gaby,
Thanks so much for the website! It’s amazingly helpful.
A few questions for you:
1. Do you peel/wash the beets?
2. Where do you buy vanilla beans? And how do you take the seeds out?
3. You throw the beans away and only use the outside?
Thanks so much!
Hey lolo!
Beets – yes peel them!
Vanilla Beans – whole foods or amazon.com
you use the insides of the beans!
Hey to take the seeds out of the vanilla bean just use the tip of a knife butterfly the bean and scrape both sides
Hi I have a couple of questions 1- what would be the pre and post juicing what doi need to do? 2- I’m nursing is this something do while nursing. I already drink the green juice in the morning. Thank you
Hi Sammy! I’m not sure if it’s okay to do while nursing. I’d check with your doctor before starting
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I know this is a silly question, but where can I find those adorable straws?!
I also wanted to say thank you for the juicing info! I start my actual juicing on Sunday and am doing the Pre juice stuff beginning tomorrow! Fridge is all stocked up! Thanx again!
woot woot! good luck with the juice! The straws are just from Etsy! Search for cute straws and about 1 million options will show up and you can pick your fav colors and designs
Whoop! Thanx