FRUIT FAST: 4TH DAY, 5TH DAY AND FINDINGS

By the morning of the 4 th day, I felt like I couldn’t care about food after facing the worst temptation the previous day.
I took my usual fruits, bentonite clay and Apple Cider Vinegar at different times, and felt really good.
By the fifth day, the hunger descended mightily. It was almost unbearable, but I kept reminding myself that it was ending that day.
By 12 noon, I went to weight myself, and realized I had lost over 5 pounds in less than 5 days. Couldn’t wait to go back to eating as I needed to gain necessary weight as my aim wasn’t weight loss, so I tried to limit whatever would make me lose weight and increase what could make me gain weight like eating bananas and so on; still, I still lost that much weight.
This means that those who want to lose weight would maximally gain from this exercise.
I went to bed after taking 3 large oranges.
The morning of the 6 th day, I wasn’t feeling hungry at all. I felt like I could for another 5 days again, but I wasn’t ready to deal with my mum (she would report me to my Pastor if I continued cuz of the weight-loss side effect) or the aforementioned side effect.
I took an orange that morning and then went out with my younger brother to pick up a Samoyed pup for him. It took longer than expected but I wasn’t hungry one bit, despite having had only one orange. Finally ate bread around 4pm, even though I still wasn’t hungry. This means I more or less fasted for about 5.75 days. Not bad, if you ask me.
FINDINGS
- The odds were high that I would get hungry or crave food strongly, on an odd day. This happened on the 1 st , 3 rd and 5 th day, whereas I was very fine on the even days- 2 nd , 4 th and 6 th days. Don’t know why this turned out so. - My skin complexion looked brighter. My face is some shades darker than my neck, but this reduced during the fast. - I’ve had this oh-so-tiny bumps under my right eye for a long time and they cleared off. - My urine was very clear and clean. Those who are interested in the urine therapy (I’m not!) would find that doing a fruit fast of about 2-3 days would give them easy to you-know-what urine. - My stool had this perfect look and texture (I know this is gross, but I have to mention this lol) - I felt oddly energized. - I had malaria symptoms about 2 or so weeks before the fast, but this cleared up during the fast. - It involves discipline and once accomplished, gives you a sense of self-belief and accomplishment. You can do it if you set your heart on it. - I learnt that one might feel sick during the fast, due to the body having too much toxin, but I didn’t experience this. I attributed this to recently cleansing my liver with some food supplements and also cutting off a few things off my diet (such as milk, soda drink, salt-based seasoning etc.) - No funky morning breath. My breath in the morning was funk-free. - I lost over 5 pounds within 4 days and inched closer to the underweight BMI. This was a side effect I didn’t need, as I was already slim enough, but I still had to face it. - Like I mentioned earlier, the odds were against me. Here’s what I mean: Like I mentioned in my post regarding my 1 st day fruit-fasting, I went to the mall, and in the food section of Shoprite, I saw one of my favourite store-purchased food- macaroni and minced beef, which I always bought since I tasted its yummy goodness a while ago and had to walk away with slumped shoulders. Now, I’ve gone to Shoprite 3 different times after that day, and they haven’t had macaroni and minced beef. Isn’t that strange? Also, we haven’t had any pizza feast in the office like the 3 rd day of the fast, and we had never had such before. Thirdly, my weakest days were only the odd days. See why I said the odds were against me? But I won (Yay!). - When I resumed eating, I felt stuffed on time, despite trying to eat a lot to gain lost weight. I learnt the stomach shrinks during the fast, which is a good thing in my opinion. The best way is to eat slowly, and avoid being tempted to rush your tasty meal, otherwise you run the risk of serious discomfort (unfortunately, I’m speaking from experience, despite being warned…yikes!). - For those who would like to lose some weight, you can eat healthy food in bits. Savour the yummy taste of food. Don’t fall back into your unhealthy way of eating, and do not allow your stomach to expand again, by eating so much food at once. - I realized I needed less sleep to feel energetic, despite loving sleep. This was a good one because I always slept late and had to wake early to catch the staff bus on weekdays. Still benefiting from this more than 2 weeks after. - I later learnt that I should have taken more cleansing fruits like orange, lemons, grapefruits etc., so I’ll be incorporating more of that during my next fruit fast. - I honestly can’t remember all the benefits and can’t look into my body system to see the dance steps displayed by my internal organs (maybe I would have learnt some steps from them, don’t you think?).
GENERAL THOUGHT ON FRUIT-FASTING
Fruit fasting, in my opinion, is the best form of fasting for cleansing and even weight loss. This is because you’re not just depriving your body of food, but you’re simultaneously feeding it necessary nutrients by taking fruits for optimum wellbeing and health. Your body is also taking in lots of fiber from fruits (which you wouldn’t get during a juice fast) which would aid in the flushing out of toxins by your liver (i.e fiber helps liver).
Also, if your goal is weight loss, you definitely DO NOT want your metabolism rate to slow down, which is what juice or water fast would cause. Taking fruits, regularly, during your fast, would result in increased metabolism, which every weight-watcher desires.
Finally, having sufficient calories for the day would be hard to meet when taking strictly juices, as against fruits.

FRUIT FASTING- DAY 3

CRAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVIIIINNNNGGGGS!!!

I’ve been having insane cravings.

Yesterday evening, I craved amala (yam flour) which I do not care for and then and rice with ata-dindin (stew that’s been fried with palm oil). Also, on this day, I craved toasted sandwich.

Then I had to experience the greatest temptation of my life- to abandon the fruit fast and start afresh the following week due to a departmental pizzafest. Yes, there was pizza, lots of boxes containing pizza of various flavours, flying all over the place, and all I had to take was a bowl of boring, tasteless (it became so after the aroma of pizza) fruit.

I was sorely tempted.

 But 2 things kept me going:

First, I had shared this on Facebook, and had others watching to see if this was practicable. I wanted them to know it was.

Secondly, I wanted to prove to myself that I could tell my flesh a resounding, reverberating NO.

It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

My day didn’t even start with my usual drink of water and bentonite clay. I woke late and had to hasten my preparation. Had to even plead with my lovely mum to assist in cutting up some water melon and pawpaw for me, which she graciously did.

Once I got to work, I took some water and bentonite clay, mixed some fruit, ate them, then later took a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and molasses.

At past 12pm, pizzas started flying around with fizzy drinks (which I haven’t had for over 3 months, so I don’t struggle with that at all. I usually just pick a bottle and give it out). I picked up 2 slices for my dog and brother, wrapped them up and kept it in my bag, while I watched others even having a large box almost full of pizza, after taking 2 or more large slices (as I’m writing this, one of the interns just came to tell me he’s marking his birthday today, but no temptation can hold light to the pizza’s.)

I was so hungry on this day that me not stopping told me that I could do what I set my mind on doing.

FRUIT FASTING- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fruit Fasting

Simplicity and ease make fruit fasts a favorite.

A popular form of fasting is fruit fasting, ingesting only fresh, raw fruits. This is a good fast for beginners, especially the one-day fruit fast. It offers some choices as to the fruit to use, and like all fasts, you can create your own specific routine.

A fruit fast, like any of the fasting methods, will create an environment for your body to heal. You will experience an internal cleansing as the body's systems begin the housekeeping they've been unable to do before. Toxins stored in the tissues will have an opportunity to be flushed out.

This detox will come with symptoms resembling the flu. Headaches, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, coughing, fatigue, body odor, body aches, and sinus discharge are all considered normal reactions during a fast. If you find yourself with any of these side effects, take heart! and know they are a sign that your body is healing.

Does the sugar content of fruit concern you? Don't let it. Fructose, the sugar in fruit, is slowly broken down and converted by the body through several complex processes, into sucrose and glycogen, supplying energy over a long period of time. Fruit is actually recommended for many with sugar-metabolizing disorders, such as hypoglycemia.

On the other hand, sucrose, or refined sugar such as table sugar, assimilates and enters the bloodstream much more quickly, supplying quick energy that depletes just as quickly, leading to those sugar highs and lows and stress on the pancreas.

There are generally two methods of fruit fasting most recognized:

The one-fruit fast

One-fruit fasting is a type of mono-diet or one-food fasting where you stick to one fruit for the duration of your fast. The most "cleansing" fruits are recommended -- apples, grapes, and citrus.

I first did a citrus fast back in 1985 at Kripalu Center for Holistic Health (see Rice Fasting for more on Kripalu). It was a three-day fruit fast, with one orange for each of my three meals each day. Two oranges at a meal was considered acceptable if you felt you needed it. At the time I remember being concerned because orange juice (from concentrate) on an empty stomach used to give me a stomach ache, but it turned out that fresh oranges did not. I believe it has to do with the pasteurization process killing all the enzymes in commercial juices. I did just fine, so if you have the same concern, try experimenting a little before ruling out a citrus fast.

Ayurvedic medicine says 3-5 day fruit fasting enhances nervous system function and aids memory. Recommended fruits for the different doshas:

Vata - papayas, prunes, mangoes

Pitta - grapes, pomegranates, apples

Kapha - apples, cranberries, pomegranates

These days, I find apple fasting to be the easiest fast to accomplish. Premeasured, in a neat package, you can eat it right off the core if need be (although I do cut mine), tasty, full of fiber (good for the bowels), it allows you to chew (unlike water or juice fasting), and apples are good in all parts of the country (unlike oranges, for example). Sometimes called an apple cleanse diet, see here for complete instructions for one to three day apple fruit fasting.

One of the best fasts for a first-timer is a one-day one-fruit fast. You can learn a lot about yourself and your body with a one-day fast. Without too much discomfort, you can do a couple days' worth of preparation prior, by eliminating the heaviest and most processed foods you usually consume. This will help you get more out of a short fast.

The any-fruit fast

The second method of fruit fasting is the any-fruit fast which says any fruit is ok, as long as all you eat is raw fruit. Grapes, apples, mangoes, bananas, citrus, melons and any other fruit you enjoy is fair game on this kind of fast. Melons, it is usually recommended, you eat alone as they don't combine well intestinally. While bananas are ok, they are starchy and considered not as "cleansing" in nature, and therefore, possibly not as beneficial as other fruits. As stated above, citrus, apples, and grapes are the most cleansing.

While this is a popular fasting style for many, others find the many fruit combinations don't digest well together; such as acid and sweet fruits, as well as the melons that don't pair well with anything. Keep combinations to a minimum, and eat melons and citrus by themselves.

2.2 pounds (1 kg) of fruit per day is usually recommended for an any-fruit fast, eaten in 3-5 meals throughout the dayNot strictly limiting quantities can lead to "fruit feasting". Watch your portions and eat slowly with an intention to notice when the feeling of fullness sets in. Don't go beyond this point. You might be surprised at how quickly you are actually physically satiated.

Even though this type of fasting can be a little less intense than others, that's ok , you will still cleanse and detox and have the insightful experiences fasting creates, but without as much discomfort.

Tips for fruit fasting:

Organic and/or locally grown fruit is, of course, the preferred choice for fasting. But since that's not always available, use the highest quality fruits you do have available. See here for a seasonal fruit chart and a nifty search tool to find local produce in your area. Some fruits are considered safe to consume non-organic, see here for the EWG's findings.

Fruit fasting is easier and more comfortable in warmer months or warmer climates. For the winter, try Rice Fasting.

Avoid eating on-the-fly. Give conscious attention to your mealtime. Just because it's a small meal doesn't mean it deserves any less attention. Actually, you are apt to feel fuller if you remain conscious of and focused on the sensations of eating.

For either citrus or apple fasting, consume 1-2 fruits per meal, preferably just one. What works for many is to plan on 4 fruits total for the day.

For all fasts:

Preparation - Eat fewer and lighter meals for a couple days prior. The length of preparation is based on the intensity and length of your planned fast. The longer and/or more intense the fast, the more days of preparation you should make. For a one day fast, you can just eat a light dinner the night before.

If you drink caffeinated beverages, wean yourself off during the few days prior to your fast and you'll avoid the withdrawal headache.

Water - Drink at least 2 quarts of water. Fresh squeezed lemon may be added to your water, as it not only imparts a bit of flavor, but will contribute living beneficial enzymes.

Activity - Plan for a light workload during a fast. Don't overdo. Moderate exercise is ok, even helpful, but save the more strenuous workouts for another time. Walking and yoga are particularly well-suited to fasting.

Aid Detox - Take time to do dry skin brushing to enhance the body's ability to detox through both the skin and the lymphatic system, as well as breathing exercises to help cleanse the blood.

Rest - Get plenty of rest -- allow yourself naps during the day if you ever feel the need.

Tips - Read the Water Fasting Tips page as most of the information there can be helpful during any type of fast or cleansing diet.

Colon Health - Many recommend enemas during any kind of fast, but it isn't necessary. If the bowels don't move for the duration of your fast, that's ok. The bowels will move when you resume intake of regular foods.

You can add the psyllium cleanse to your routine by adding 1-2 tablespoons of psyllium husks (available in most pharmacies, in the laxative section) to a glass of water. Do this one or two times per day. Psyllium is a natural fiber laxative that is excellent for cleansing the intestines. Be sure to drink plenty of water with psyllium as the package will tell you. Or see here for a colon cleanse recipe that utilizes psyllium. Or here, for other colon cleansing options.

Breaking the Fast - Give special attention to the breaking of a fast. Do so slowly, easing back into regular foods (but making better choices about which foods!). Again, the length and intensity of the fast performed will dictate how many days you take to re-acclimate your body to regular eating.

For a 10-day fast, three days of easing back in is recommended, eating normal foods on the fourth day. For a one to three-day fast, spend about a day or a day and a half taking it easy with foods. See the Guidelines for Breaking a Fast page for information on the order of re-introduction of foods, quantities, and frequency.

After the fast - Pay attention to the subtle signals from your body as they can guide you to the foods most appropriate for your needs. Check out the Recipe Section of this site for ideas.

http://www.allaboutfasting.com/fruit-fasting.html

7- day Detox Plan

Juliette's 7-Day Detox Plan

By Dietitian, Juliette Kellow BSc RD

Rather than following an extreme detox plan that limits just about every food except fruit and veg while at the same time getting you to down a nasty ‘detox’ drink every day, this plan is safer and more sensible and shouldn’t leave you short on nutrients if you follow it for just one week.

Foods to include in the plan

Your plan can include:

• Fruit – your plan can include any fruit including fresh, frozen, dried or canned in natural fruit juice. This includes apples, bananas, pears, oranges, grapefruit, satsumas, sultanas, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, nectarines, peaches, melons, star fruit etc
   
• Fruit juice – either make homemade fruit juices or smoothies from fresh fruit, or drink ready-made juices. Make sure ready-made juices are labelled as being ‘pure’ or ‘unsweetened’.
   
• Vegetables – eat any vegetables including fresh, frozen or canned in water (without salt added). This includes carrots, onions, turnip, swede, sprouts, cabbage, peppers, mushrooms, sweetcorn, peppers, leeks, courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower, salad, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions etc
   
• Beans and lentils – eat any beans, including those that have been dried or canned in water. This includes red kidney, haricot, cannellini, butter, black eye, pinto, red lentils, green lentils and brown lentils
   
• Tofu and Quorn
   
• Oats – sprinkle oats over fresh fruit or use to make porridge, sweetened with honey and fresh fruit
   
• Potatoes – all types
   
• Brown rice and rice noodles
   
• Rye crackers, rice cakes and oatcakes
   
• Fresh fish – eat any fresh fish including cod, plaice, mackerel, salmon, lobster, crab, trout, haddock, tuna, prawns, Dover sole, red mullet, halibut, lemon sole, monkfish, swordfish etc. Canned fish in water is suitable too eg salmon or tuna
   
• Unsalted nuts – eat any including Brazil, peanuts, almonds, cashew, hazel nuts, macadamia, pecans, pine nuts, pistachio, walnuts etc
   
• Unsalted seeds – eat any including sunflower and pumpkin
   
• Plain popcorn – without sugar or salt
   
• Live natural yoghurt
  
• Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar
  
• Garlic, ginger and fresh herbs
   
• Ground black pepper
   
• Honey
   
• Water – at least 2 litres a day. Tap or mineral water is fine.
   
• Herbal or fruit teas

Foods to avoid during your detox

• Red meat, chicken, turkey and any meat products like sausages, burgers, and pate
   
• Milk, cheese, eggs, cream
   
• Butter and margarine
   
• Any food that contains wheat including bread, croissants, cereals, cakes, biscuits, pies, pastry, quiche, battered or breadcrumbed foods, etc
   
• Crisps and savoury snacks including salted nuts
   
• Chocolate, sweets, jam and sugar
   
• Processed foods, ready meals, ready-made sauces and takeaways
   
• Alcohol
   
• Coffee and tea
   
• Sauces, pickles, shop bought salad dressing, mayonnaise
   
• Salt
   
• Fizzy drinks and squashes, including diet versions

Detox Plan Breakfasts

• Banana porridge
  Porridge made with water and topped with natural yoghurt, banana, raisins and sweetened with honey.
   
• Fruit salad with yoghurt and oats
  Fresh fruit salad with natural yoghurt and a sprinkling of oats.
   
• Fresh fruit smoothie
  Fruit smoothie made from fresh fruit, natural yoghurt and honey to sweeten if needed.
   
• Muesli and yoghurt Homemade muesli made from oats, seeds, nuts and dried fruit served with natural yoghurt.
   
• Fresh fruit and yoghurt
  Fresh fruit and a pot of natural yoghurt sweetened with honey.

Detox Plan Lunches

• Vegetable soup and oatcakes
  Large bowl of vegetable or lentil soup (either homemade or supermarket ‘fresh’) with oatcakes.
   
• Tuna and sweetcorn jacket potato and salad Jacket potato topped with tuna (canned in water) mixed with sweetcorn and natural yoghurt and served with salad.
   
• Mediterranean salad with rice cakes
  Rice cakes served with rocket, avocado, tomatoes, fresh basil and black pepper. Plus a handful of unsalted nuts.
   
• Guacamole with crudités
  Homemade guacamole made from avocado, lemon juice, fresh chilli, tomatoe and garlic served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes.
   
• Tzatziki with crudités
  Homemade tzatziki made from natural yoghurt, garlic, cucumber and lemon juice served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes.
   
• Avocado and prawn salad Fresh avocado served with prawns, salad, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice.
   
• Jacket potato with grilled cod
  Grilled cod fillet served with jacket potatoes and lightly steamed vegetables.

Detox Plan Dinners

• Chinese vegetable stir fry
  Stir fry a selection of vegetables such as bok choi, spring onions, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and beansprouts in a little olive oil with garlic and ginger. Serve with brown rice.
   
• Baked salmon with jacket potato
  Bake a salmon fillet and serve with a jacket potato and steamed vegetables.
   
• Tuna and prawns with noodles
  Gently fry a selection of vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, peppers, courgette and leek in a little olive oil. When lightly browned, add a handful of prawns. Cook for a few minutes, then add canned tomatoes, tomato puree, black pepper and tuna canned in water. Bring to the boil and simmer until the sauce thickens. Serve with rice noodles.
   
• Sweet and sour stir fry with rice
  Gently fry a selection of chopped vegetables such as onions, peppers, baby sweetcorn and mushrooms. Add canned pineapple (in fruit juice), canned tomatoes, tomato purée, white wine vinegar and honey. Bring to the boil and simmer until the sauce has thickened. Serve with brown rice.
   
• Potato and bean casserole
  Gently fry a selection of typical casserole vegetables such as onion, carrots and parsnip in a little olive oil with garlic. When browned, add diced potato and fry for a few minutes. Add fresh vegetable stock, black pepper and your favourite beans. Bring to the boil and simmer until the casserole thickens.

Detox Plan Snacks

• Fresh fruit or fresh fruit salad
• Natural yoghurt mixed with honey
• Plain popcorn
• Handful of unsalted nuts or seeds

Create Your Own Detox Plan

You can create and calorie count your own detox plan using the tools in Weight Loss Resources. Keep an online food diary, set a weight loss goal and see how many calories you need to get there. Try it Free for 24 hours

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/detox/plan.htm