My favorite Juice Cleanse Recipes that make for a great juice cleanse and full body reset.
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 cleanse look like from start to finish!
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+ pounds when I'm feeling bloated and pudgy after some serious holiday indulgence. 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 and acai bowls I've been whipping up!
Now that we've got that out of the way... here's the deal!
What does a juice cleanse do to your body?
As I mentioned above, I'm not a nutritionist so you should absolutely consult with one if needed. That said, my personal experience from juicing is as follows. The juices provide a mega dose of nutrients into my body which always makes me feel great. It allows my body to reset when it comes to digestion. The extra dose of vitamins boosts my immune system and gives me way more energy that usual.
How long should you do a juice cleanse?
It's totally up to you. I find that I get the best results when I juice for 3-4 days. You should keep in mind that on top of those 3-4 juicing days, there is a pre and post period that's very important. So if I'm juicing for 3 days, it really means the cleanse is 9 days... because of the 3 day pre cleanse and 3 day post cleanse schedule that I follow.
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 much harder without the pre/post schedule.
How do you prep for a juice cleanse?
I usually prep for 3 days leading up to the cleanse. I cut out basically everything except fruits and vegetables. I eat loaded salads with different veggies, drink boat loads of herbal tea, and hydrate with LARGE amounts of water to prepare myself. No meat, no cheese, no pasta... you get the idea.
What juicer do you use for a juice cleanse?
Let's talk equipment. I have the Breville Slow Juicer which I love. The Hurom is also AMAZING. 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 aka more fiber!
What does a juice cleanse schedule look like?
During my 3-4 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 (3 glasses daily), Red Juice (1 glass daily), Orange Juice (2 glasses daily). And then I cap off the day with my strawberry almond milk.
So here's what a day would look like for me:
- 7:00 am wake up - drink some white ginger tea or hot lemon water
- 8:00 am - Green Juice #1 + Water
- 10:00 Orange Juice #1 + Water
- 12:00 Green Juice #2 + Water
- 2:00 Red Juice #1+ Water
- 4:00 Green Juice #3+ Water
- 6:00 Orange Juice #2+ Water
- 8:00 Strawberry 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!!
What do you eat after a juice cleanse?
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, fish, quinoa etc. I usually try to stay off of meat for a few more days because that's just how I roll.
How do you feel during a juice cleanse?
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 micronutrients, 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 3-4 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 so if you're juicing in bulk every morning, multiply each recipe by however many juices you'll need that day!
Looking for more amazing breakfast ideas? Check out my 100 favorite breakfast recipes here
Juice Cleanse Recipes
Ingredients
For the Green Juice
- 3 leaves kale stem removed and roughly chopped
- 1 handful spinach leaves roughly chopped
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 bunch parsley roughly chopped
- 1 cup chopped english cucumber
- 2 sticks celery roughly chopped
- 1 whole apple halved and seeds removed
- 1 inch fresh ginger
- 1 whole lemon rind removed
For the Red Juice
- 1 apple, quartered
- 2 red beets, quartered
- 3 large carrots
- 1 orange, rind removed
- 1-inch piece of ginger
- 1 handful fresh spinach
For the Orange Juice
- 9 larget carrots
- 1 orange, rind removed
- 1 apple, quartered
- ⅓ cup fresh pineapple chunks
- ½ lemon, rind removed
- 1-inch turmeric root
For the Strawberry Almond Milk
- ½ cup unsalted raw almonds
- 2 cups water
- ½ tablespoon agave nectar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ vanilla bean, seeds removed
- 3 strawberries, hulled
Instructions
For the Green Juice
- Place ingredients for the green juice into a juicer and juice!
For the Red juice
- Place ingredients for the green juice into a juicer and juice!
For the Orange Juice
- Place ingredients for the green juice into a juicer and juice!
For the Strawberry Almond Milk
- Soak the almonds in some water for at least 2 hours
- Drain the almonds and combine them with 2 cups of water, agave nectar, cinnamon, vanilla bean and strawberries in a high powered blender and blend for about 2 minutes until very smooth. No need to strain.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
I was so excited to start the juice cleanse. I did the 3 prep days and today, day 1 of juicing, wasn't that bad in terms of missing food. The one major thing I didn't anticipate though was how much I would hate the taste of the juices. I could barely keep down 1/2 of the red and green juices and am now sitting here staring at the remaining juice unable to drink them. I really like the orange juice so I tried mixing it into the others. That didn't work either. I really want to keep doing the cleanse but I need to figure out either a strategy or recipe modifications that will help me drink those 2 juices... if anyone has any advice, please let me know!
I've been juicing for years, and am always looking to others for good recipes,
My opinion...
As you juice more you'll get used to the taste. In the meantime just add more apple to sweeten the recipe if you don't care for the taste that day. That works for me! Whatever it takes to keep you juicing! If that fails I would suggest you concentrate on eating "clean" (cut out sugars and processed foods) for now and eventually you'll be ready to juice.
I looked at her recipe for green juice and it's similar to what I do except I don't add the ginger or parsley. Ginger to me is too strong in juices/teas and will automatically steer me away from them. My sis once made a smoothie with parsley and that too was too strong for me. I know it's supposed to be good but I can't do it. What specifically about the juices makes them undrinkable? Maybe try eliminating certain vegetables that you don't like and try it that way. I love beet juice. I will make mine with just beets and lime. It's very tasty.
Is it bad to skip a juice?
In the orange juice, are the carrots the small ones. I see in the red juice you said "large carrots" but didn't say large for the orange juice.
yes!! always the large carrots unless otherwise specified
I have started making the juices but I have no juicer so I have been blending the ingredients and then using a strainer to get rid of the access. I have to say the juice I drain is still a full glass and is very good. Do you think I'm still benefiting from the juice?
absolutely!
What other tea could you sub white giner tea for?
chamomile!
that makes people sleepy, what about dandelion root tea? I sort of need coffee which sucks
haven't tried that! I'd go with anything caffeine free
How much ouces do u drink per juice?
I found the answer to this in a previous question, 16oz is what she considers a glass.
Hello, I am in the process of doing this and made my juices last night. Is each recipe for 1 juice? The Orange juice made a lot!
Can you give more details on the pre/post cleanse?
Hey Katya!! All my pre/post cleanse info is in the post!! It's just cutting out heavy foods that don't mix well with a cleanse
Is this red or green apples??
either or!!
MIS GABY ANY FRUIT CAN WE USE LIKE APLEE BANANA OR MELON
Oh yea, and I work out often and am training for a half marathon. I wouldn't suggest you do intense workout while fasting or doing a juice cleanse for more than one day. Just my opinion, but I feel like if you are giving your digestion a break, you should go easy on the rest of your body as well.
Thank so much for your great recipes! I just came back from a long girls week in Vegas and wanted to reset my digestion. I only did the juicing for one day and that was enough for me, but it was fantastic. I will definitely do this again for more than just one day in the future. I will share this site with others as well. Thanks again!
Hi!
Quick question for you.
If you do high intensity workouts, is it ok to add protein powder in the morning and evening juice?
Thanks
I'd consult a doctor! I can't speak to that specifically
Am I correct in that each recipe is for one serving? I multiplied each recipe as instructed and it seems I have an incredible amount - close to a quart. Also, the consistency seems very thick, I wouldn't say it is a juice consistency. Any suggestions as to where I may have gone wrong?
recipes are enough to get you though one day. so if you follow the recipes you'll have enough for the following schedule each day:
8:00 am – Green Juice #1 + Water
10:00 Orange Juice #1 + Water
12:00 Green Juice #2 + Water
2:00 Red Juice #1+ Water
4:00 Green Juice #3+ Water
6:00 Orange Juice #2+ Water
8:00 Strawberry Almond Milk and some more white ginger tea
It's not the same as the juice cleanse many people do that eliminate the fiber. There are reasons for that type of cleanse that are worth researching and equally wonderful. Juice without fiber is sugar and so it's recommended a pure juice cleanse limits fruit juice but doesn't avoid it altogether. Please research that type of cleanse.
I love these recipies and use them for pre and post cleans when I do straight juice cleanse using a juicer and continue to use them on a normal eating diet for the health benefits.
I'm actually starting tomorrow with this juice thing, this will be my first time, any other advice?
good luck! stay strong 🙂