How to prepare for your first juice cleanse
The first time I did a juice cleanse, I overthought everything. What to eat the day before, when to drink each bottle, whether I was allowed coffee. If you’re planning your first one, here’s the short version I wish someone had handed me.
Start two days before
Your cleanse goes more smoothly when the days before it are a little lighter. For one or two days ahead, cut back on:
- caffeine
- processed food
- meat and dairy
And add more of:
- fruit and vegetables
- simple whole foods you make at home
- water, all day long
You don’t need to be perfect here. Think of it as easing in, not a test.
Move your juices to the fridge
Your juices arrive frozen. Move the eight bottles for your cleanse day from the freezer to the fridge 24 to 48 hours before you start, so they’re ready when you wake up. Give each one a good shake before you open it.
Pace your day
Every cleanse day is eight bottles. Drink one every one and a half to two hours, with water in between. Your cleanse comes with a suggested schedule, but you don’t have to follow the order: if you want something bright at breakfast or something green after lunch, go with it.
Here’s what an example day can look like:
| Time | Bottle |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | First bottle, before anything else |
| 9:00 am | Second |
| 10:45 am | Third |
| 12:30 pm | Fourth |
| 2:15 pm | Fifth |
| 4:00 pm | Sixth |
| 5:45 pm | Seventh |
| 7:30 pm | Eighth, to close the day |
Keep moving, gently
Gentle movement is lovely during a cleanse: a walk, some stretching, a slow yoga flow. If you usually train hard, take it easier and give yourself more rest that day.
Ease back into food
The day after, keep it simple. Start with fruit, a smoothie or a light meal, and let your appetite lead. My smoothie guide, included with every cleanse, has recipes for before and after it.
Before you start
A full cleanse isn’t for everyone. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, I don’t recommend one; a single fresh juice a day is a gentler choice, but check with your healthcare provider first. If you have a health condition or take medication, talk to your doctor before you cleanse.
Ready when you are
Every cleanse comes with a guide to help you prepare. If this is your first one, the Master Cleanse is where I’d start: eight different juices in one day, so you taste almost everything we make and find the favorites you’ll come back to.