Tomorrow starts my 2 weeks fruit/veggie/bean only diet, anyone else done this?
 

So I have done a lot of reading on fruit/vegetable cleanses and determined that I must have some sort of protein so that is why I am including some beans. I plan on eating some raw veegies and some cooked, probably all raw fruits, and maybe some lentils and beans. I have a juicer and will be juicing some veggies with a little fruit in the mix. Cutting out dairy, meat, wheat/grain products. This is going to be HARD!! I have never done anything like this before, I am fully anticipating a carb withdrawal period but am looking forward to overcoming that. I need this boost, all of my temptations are tied to meat and carbs-so not being allowed to eat them at all will hopefully click something in my head when I reintroduce them.
I have read that technically you're not supposed to season your food while doing a typical cleanse but I just cannot go for that. I will use some seasoning but try to use mostly veggies and fresh herbs.
Has anyone else done this? Any tips/pointers?

on board with you ! and im as excited as ever ...
:carrot:

:) So glad to have a partner!! Breakfast tomorrow is going to be pineapple, and a tomato and mixed green salad with some black beans on top!

I don't know about carb withdrawal..... All fruits, veg, and beans have carbs! You won't be getting much protein and you will be doing very low-cal so that will probably make you feel crummy.

But hey, to each her own ;) And you say it's only for a short period of time, so if you think it will help you, go for it. Good luck!

It is going to be interesting! I have emergency sardines if I get too weak :) Also, I'll be eating more leafy green veggies and a lot less of the starchy ones, also a lot less fruit than veggies... as opposed to my usual over-abundance of carbs, that is why I am thinking I am going to experience a withdrawal :) Thanks-we will see how it goes... I may be incorporating some soy as well. Basically just doing this to limit calories and experiment with a new way of eating, until now I have been very carb/protein focused(I do eat veggies/fruits but they are more of a side usually).

debigulating.. so I just did some research and it looks like Quinoa and tempeh are better protein sources... might had to work those in, less on the beans

I'm not an advocate of these sorts of extreme short term diets. Since most of your calories will come for carbs you are most likely not going to experience 'carb withdrawal', although you might have some psychological withdrawal symptoms if you are dependent upon eating junk food to regulate your emotions. This diet will most likely be low protein/low fat which is not healthy. Beans/veg/fruits contain some natural fat and protein but not enough to satisfy your hunger for any length of time.

I realize you didn't ask for help or advice, but here it is: try adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet and limiting meat, dairy, and grains (especially red meat). These shock diets are not sustainable, not healthy, and lead to yo-yo weight-loss/gain.

I agree!!! Girls, this is a LIFETIME journey. Don't go all crazy and ruin it for yourselves by inventing crash diets. Find something you can do for your entire life, and do that!

ETA: This is a lowfat/lowprotein diet. Most of your calories will come from carbs. If you are in ANY way sensitive to carbohydrates you will probably feel like Shiz. I eat TONS of veggies, they are amazing. But you need to balance them with healthy fats and proteins.

Oh, and watch out for binges on these sorts of diets, too. I've done diets like this before and ended eating things I'd never have eaten on a moderate diet (ie a whole package of hot dogs). I was once on a low fat/low protein vegan diet quite similar to what you are doing and I ended up eating a jar of peanut butter because I was so starved for fat and protein. Even if you've got sardines standing by they can trigger a binge and just totally wreck what you are working towards.

It's a free country but the simple fact is the body does not need to go through any detox.

There has never been a scientific study done that has shown any health improvements made through detoxing.

If you want to go on some kind of extreme diet you should at least follow one that has some science behind it such as a PSMF. Not that I am reccomending people do that but it sure makes a lot more sense than juice fasting, or juice + veggie fasting, or Juice + veggie + beans diet.

Frankly I think you would be better off just consuming a can of vegtable broth every morning and eating nothing for two weeks.

Educate yourself people!

I am incorporating quinoa and tempeh for protein so it is more like a vegetarian shift. I am trying to get away from the junk, show myself that I can make yummy veggie laden meals, and healthy fats. I did read that a lack of fats/protein can be an issue which is why I will use avocado for healthy fat/olive oil, and veggie based protein. I don't think it will be a problem as far as a "crash" diet. Just trying something new, and healthier. I have portion control issues when eating breads and meats-eating something new and less habitual will hopefully help me be more aware. I only have 1 can of sardines as a back up. I am being mindful, so I doubt this is a worrisome diet. Short term because 2 weeks is about as far ahead as I can look. Then reassess what I want to reintroduce.
EDIT: I'm not doing the over-the-top cleanse as I know that isn't sustainable.

I guess when you state in the title of a post that you are starting a fruit/veggie/bean only diet you run the risk of people thinking you are starting a fruit/veggie/bean only diet. :)

I am not sure if I can change the title.. at first I was planning on that but realized beans were not a great source of protein... found tempeh and quinoa and it makes me happier :) I am hoping this helps me with my eating habits, I think the hardest part is that I have to cook for my son and I will be serving and cooking things that i am not allowing myself to eat. I really need this extra push into the direction of healthier eating. One unhealthy bite turns into 20 with me :) I appreciate the input from everyone, it is all in good intention.

I get this but why not just eliminate the junk and the bread? Protein/meat is very satiating.

What purpose does it serve to go on a two week diet that you already know is not sustainable.

Ultimately establishing good dietary habits is how you lose weight and keep it off. So rather than doing something odd for two weeks how about you just make some simple changes like eliminating most of the junk and bread from your diet?

I was't saying that the diet I am doing is unsustainable (the normal cleanse is unsustainable), which is why I am doing a diet with the tempeh and quinoa. For me, getting away from those things completely for a while seems to be a tactic that may work. I have tried the moderation, I have even tried eliminating the junk and bread alone but I need a plan to change my way of eating completely. So, the veggie dishes with alternate protein sources will be nutritionally complete, lower calorie, and I am hoping to continue eating this way for a portion of my meals once I do it exclusively for 2 weeks. I live in New Orleans and was raised on fried seafood, ribs, comfort foods, mac-n-cheese, bread (po-boys). For me going completely out of my comfort zone, learning new recipes, and having a goal of 2 weeks will be my motivator. I am a very stubborn stuck in her ways type of girl, and small changes aren't always enough.
I see your point John, I am basically trying a unique way of getting out of my mindset. I guess I can say it like this.
Last week I wanted catfish, when faced with the decision, I made the bad choice-the choice that I always made what was familiar. Fried catfish, with fries(coated with lemon/garlic butter, and hush puppies). Knowing that catfish is healthy when not fried is fine but for some reason I am "afraid" to try the alternate preparations such as grilled even though i know I like them. I can't even really explain it to myself. It is like I go on autopilot even when I am trying to consciously make a different decision. If this doesn't help then so be it, but as long as I am getting my nutrition and don't feel sick from it I will stick to it as long as I can, after 2 weeks I am planning on reintroducing eggs, fish/seafood, and whole grains in moderation. I've just never made myself go without these thing, just ate normally within(and a lot of times not) my calorie range.

Hi Tiff,
I guess I'm the only one here who doesn't see a problem with your new plan. :) (But that's because I've been a vegetarian since I was 13 and now I'm 51) and raised two (thin/fit/athletic) kids that way as well. Although, we ate cheese and other milk products. Now I have to kick the sugar/cheese habit that I have. Everyone believes differently, but I personally believe you can receive all your nutrition on that plan, but you need to make sure you are getting full and satisfied, otherwise it will be difficult not to binge. I believe the doctors in the dvd "Forks Over Knives" when they say the body doesn't need as much protein and fat as what we are told, because they cite numerous studies. Everyone believes differently, and I respect that. But I don't see a problem with your diet, because basically, you are becoming a vegan for 2 weeks. One trick for you when preparing your childs meals.....I've found that if I eat my meal before I prepare my teenagers meals, then I'm not tempted to eat any of their food. They still eat their pizza or mac and cheese crap, but I'm entirely eating veg/fruit/legumes/grain. Good luck....hope it works out for you.

From experience..for exactly one week, i lived off of veggies and fruit through juicing and i can say two things about it.

1) I never made it to the second week because i felt so deprived and so sick of just fruit and veggies and nothing else

2) I barely lost any weight..There was enough sugars that i was ingesting naturally that it was actually starting to store as fat in my body cause my body could not handle the high sugar content in my diet due to all the fruit i had to consume just to feel not hungry and feel better...

Its like..eat fruit..sugar crash..eat fruit..sugar crash..So inless your fruits are low glycemic...you could have a lot of ups and a lot of downs.. If your really going to do this..you really need to pull up your bootstraps and eat the green leafys that dont taste good juiced and you are going to need to eat those veggies you hate..cause odds are..you might not like some of the healthiest ones out there..

My point: Its hard...BUT if your doing in short term..then i dont see any harm..just dont expect to gain weight or have your weight loss issue solved

I've done this sort of thing before, but did not include sugary fruits like pineapple or banana.... opted for apples because of the fiber. I found that the first 3-4 days are ROUGH, and then a lot easier after that. But after about a week of no meat or dairy, I started to get cold sores, and was told to work a little bit of lean meat back into the mix.
Good luck!

Sunshauna-thanks for your support! I will look into that book. I have always admired vegetarians/vegans because of their discipline. You actually made a good point about eating before my son! I know our lowest protein requirements so I will make sure to get that amount.
Porthardygurl-i definitely couldn't do juice only. I am going to do veggie based meals with some fruit in the side and tempeh/quinoa for protein. I don't know how you even did that for a week, I enjoy chewing lol! I will definitely be juicing more greens than anything which I enjoy. Thanks for the heads up too :)
Elbs717-i definitely will make sure I am getting.g protein., I do not want any cold sores for sure!! Definitely going to eat more apples and watermelon than bananas and pineapple. Thanks for the tips!

TiffNeedsChange- I understand what people are trying to say about being sure you arent trying to do some crash diet. But I want to say that even though this seems extreme for some people, changing to a veggie emphasized diet doesnt mean you are jumping on the crazy train! I say go for your modified plan. Many people live very healthy (and usually healthier than most) lives abstaining from meat and dairy and wheat.

Have you ever read Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live". If you haven't check it out. The kind of diet you are talking about doing is defineitly going to be packed with nutrition and when you look at the nutrient density of foods then veggies and fruits truely are the best thing you can do for your body.

For the naysayers I think you totally are giving adviced with real concern and the best of all intentions. And it looks like many of you have found something that really works for you, but that doesnt mean this cant work too. 2 cups frozen spinach has 0 g fat, 6 grams carbs and 5 grams protien(and only 30 calories). Many green leafy vegetables have almost a 50/50 ratio of protien to carbs. If you are eating large quantities of greens and getting healthy fats from other sources you really can abstain form meat and get all the protien that you need. Is it easier to do so from meat? Absolutely. But as long as one is being aware of their macros then they can really eat this way and be very healthy.

as someone who has done the 10-day master cleanse, this sort of thing can be a good short term boost to get your "head in the game", start a new beginning, etc...

it's a jolt..but it can go either way for people. you'll either feel envigorated and excited to eat healthy nutritious food, or you'll be so famished that you'll grab for a box of oreos the second you're "done". don't let the latter happen!!

i did the master cleanse because my boyfriend at the time wanted to do it. so i joined in as support. it was hard. i cried. but i feel accomplished for having done it and i do like to tell people that "i did the master cleanse".

just my 2 cents.. good luck to you!

I agree. Dr. Ben Goldacre covers the topic very well in his hilarious bestselling book Bad Science.

F.