Smoothy Slim
Photo by Isabella Mendes Pexels Logo Photo: Isabella Mendes

Why am I not losing weight on a juice fast?

They won't actually help you lose weight Because your body is getting so few calories during a cleanse, it tends to hold onto whatever it can — that means your metabolism will become sluggish.

What drinks help leg pain?
What drinks help leg pain?

Drink plenty of fluids. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, will often help leg cramps.

Read More »
What spices burn visceral fat?
What spices burn visceral fat?

Cinnamon Cinnamon helps you lose visceral fat. Apart from this, it also boosts metabolism and supports weight loss. Cinnamon has a compound...

Read More »
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

A potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

It can be difficult to ignore the siren song of the juice cleanse. They seem like an easy enough weight-loss strategy: You're restricting calories, but instead of spending your entire Sunday meal prepping, you have a fridge full of ready-made, brightly-hued beverages to choose from. And you're only consuming fruit- and veggie-loaded drinks, so as far as diets go, they've gotta be healthy — right?

Unfortunately, the general consensus among experts seems to be "not at all." Solid food slows down your digestion, enabling your body to take in plenty of nutrients and help you feel top-notch, but that’s not the case when you’re getting all your daily calories via juice. Things might go smoothly enough at first, but that light and airy feeling won’t last for long and you could seriously jeopardize your health in the process. If you're thinking about embarking on your own juice cleanse journey, you may want to reconsider. Here's what nutritionists have to say about the trend.

More From Redbook

1. Juice is a supplement, not an entrée

When you think of a juice cleanse, you probably picture people smiling and skipping around, clutching their nutrient-loaded glasses of greens. But the joy you may initially feel from ingesting a juice-only diet isn’t a lasting one — and it might drive you crazy in the process. “If you even think about the definition of the word ‘diet,’ it means ‘way of life’ — and a juice cleanse isn’t a way of life. It isn’t going to do much for you in the long run,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN, and author of . “If you enjoy juice, do so as a refreshing pick-me-up when you’re on-the-go. There’s a lot of value if you use them in the right way — like upping your fruit and veggie intake — but mostly it’s a perfect adjunct to a meal. It’s not really a diet.”

2. Juice cleanses don't actually detoxify anything

What race eats the most pork?
What race eats the most pork?

The top consumer of pork in 2021 continued to be China, taking into account its special economic regions Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China,...

Read More »
How many calories do I need to burn a day to lose 1kg a week?
How many calories do I need to burn a day to lose 1kg a week?

To lose 1 kilogram of weight in a week, you will need to create a calorie deficit of 1000 calories per day. This means that you will need to go on...

Read More »
7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab
7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Sorry to break it to you, but there's zero scientific evidence to back up the claim that juice cleanses rid your body of toxins. “People go on them because they think they’re going to detoxify their body, but you have a liver and a kidney that do that for you,” Taub-Dix says. “Instead of trying to cleanse, you should focus on clean eating, which can include lots of fruits and vegetables.”

3. They don't give your body everything it needs

A diet full of liquefied fruit and vegetables can only do so much — and after cleansing on juice, you’ll quickly notice you’re not feeling as vibrant and energized as you thought you would thanks to a lack of … well, almost everything. “Your body needs a variety of nutrients, including protein, healthy fat, and carbohydrates. A just-juice diet is going to provide mostly carbohydrates,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition. “Those proteins and fats that you're missing out on are the nutrients that help keep you full.”

4. There's very little fiber involved

Speaking of being full, you’ll never hear anyone on a juice cleanse say that word. Like, ever. That’s because the juicing process strips the fruit and veggies of something your body needs to feel satisfied: fiber. If you really need a juice fix, “Instead of using a juicer, I would prefer a blender,” Taub-Dix says. “In juicers, you’ll often just get the juice, and the fiber and the pulp is held behind. And that's not good because the fiber is very valuable. By using a blender, you’re actually getting all the parts of the fruit. It will make you feel much more satiated during the day.”

5. They won't actually help you lose weight

Because your body is getting so few calories during a cleanse, it tends to hold onto whatever it can — that means your metabolism will become sluggish. Some people actually gain weight from juice cleanses because of that — and if they do happen to lose some weight at first, there's a good chance it will come back (and then some!) after they return to their normal eating habits. “Most of these cleanses are really low in calories, much less than you need to get through the day," says Gorin, adding, "There is no such thing as a long-lasting quick fix for losing weight. Eat a balanced, healthy diet, incorporating whole grains, protein, vegetables or fruit, and healthy fat into each meal. This will help fuel your body and help you to feel full.”

How many steps does it take to lose a pound?
How many steps does it take to lose a pound?

"Generally, 1 mile (or roughly 2,000 steps) walked equates to [burning] 80 to 100 calories." There are 3,500 calories in 1 pound. "This means to...

Read More »
Which packaged fruit juice is best?
Which packaged fruit juice is best?

List of 11 Best Fruit Juice Brands in India Tropicana. Real. Safal. B-Natural. Paper Boat. Patanjali. Minute Maid. 24 Mantra Organic. More items......

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

6. They can be dangerous

Juice — dangerous? It sounds far-fetched, but consuming too much can wreak havoc on your body. “If you have diabetes or problems with blood sugar, or if you’re at a job where you actually have to physically move your body and be thinking during the course of the day, cleansing might not provide enough nutrients,” Taub-Dix says. “You might feel a little euphoric after drinking a juice, but it’s really more like a sugar high. And unfortunately that gets metabolized pretty quickly and makes you crash. You can get initial energy, but it’s not long-lasting.” That said, an occasional juice made from wholesome fruits and veggies really can do your body good — but not when that’s the only thing your diet consists of. Instead of going on a cleanse, eat a balanced diet full of everything your body needs — you'll feel fuller longer, and you'll lose weight faster.

What is the world's oldest snack?
What is the world's oldest snack?

Popcorn Popcorn is perhaps the oldest of all. Archaeological sites in Peru and Mexico recently yielded 7,000 year old maize husks said to be...

Read More »
What do dermatologists recommend for large pores?
What do dermatologists recommend for large pores?

Here's what dermatologists recommend. Use only non-comedogenic skin care products and makeup. The word “non-comedogenic” means the product won't...

Read More »
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Does juice cleanse help lose weight?
Does juice cleanse help lose weight?

Admittedly, juice cleanses can lead to short-term weight loss, but this doesn't mean it's a healthy way to lose weight. "Not only is rapid weight...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »
Why are 360 cups not recommended?
Why are 360 cups not recommended?

This cup may cause your child's tongue to rest in the front of their mouth (anteriorly). With “normal” drinking patterns, the tongue is not meant...

Read More »