How to Prepare for a Cleanse

Maybe you are doing a colon cleanse to prepare for your upcoming colonoscopy. Or, perhaps you have decided to rid your body of toxins through the Master Cleanse or a juice cleanse. You should do some preparatory work before you dive into these cleanses so your body responds properly to a sudden change of diet and eating habits. Bear in mind that many health practitioners do not advocate the use of cleanses to rid your body of toxins, unless you are preparing for a medical procedure like a colonoscopy.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing for a Colon Cleanse

1
Drink lots of water. You should prepare for a colon cleanse by drinking at least two liters of water a day. Add slices of lemon or fresh mint to your water for added natural flavor. Staying hydrated will ensure your body is not at risk of dehydration, especially in the days leading up to your colon cleanse.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[3]XResearch source}
- You can also have six to eight cups of herbal teas like peppermint, fennel, licorice, and chamomile. Make sure the teas are not caffeinated, as you do not want to consume caffeine leading up to your colon cleanse.
2
Have low-fiber foods. You should also stick to foods that are low in fiber, especially a few days before the colonoscopy or colon cleanse.^{[4]XExpert SourceDale Prokupek, MD
Board Certified Internist & GastroenterologistExpert Interview. 16 April 2020.} Go for vegetables that are cooked, especially green vegetables. Avoid whole grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and raw fruits and vegetables, as you do not want to become bloated or have digestion issues leading up to the colon cleanse.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[6]XResearch source}
- Go for vegetables like asparagus, peas, kale, Swiss chard, watercress, fennel, celery, cucumber, lettuce, and bok choi. Have fruits like apples, strawberries, blueberries, and oranges.
Advertisement
3
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and fast food. You should avoid foods and liquids that are going to dehydrate you, such as caffeine and alcohol. Try not to drink sodas and beverages high in artificial sugars.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}^{[8]XResearch source}
- You should also avoid having fast food, as it is high in processed ingredients and sodium. Try to eat at home instead of eating out and prepare healthy meals low in fiber. Having food prepared at home, rather than at fast food joints or restaurants means you know exactly what you are eating at every meal.
4
Stick to liquids the day before the cleanse. A few days before your colonoscopy or colon cleanse, you should have low-fiber foods only. The day before the colonoscopy, you should stick to liquids only and have no solid foods. Have clear liquids like clear broth or bouillon as well as herbal tea, clear juices like apple or white grape, and lots of water.^{[9]XExpert SourceDale Prokupek, MD
Board Certified Internist & GastroenterologistExpert Interview. 16 April 2020.}^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}^{[11]XResearch source}
- The day of the colonoscopy or cleanse, you should have clear foods only. Avoid eating or drinking anything at least two hours before your colon cleanse at the doctor's office or in the office of the colon-cleanse practitioner.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Ready for the Master Cleanse

1
Eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet. The Master Cleanse can often be intense and shocking for your body, as you will be having only lemon juice, water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper for 10 days. You should ease your body into this cleanse to avoid shocking your system. Start by eliminating any unhealthy foods from your diet, such as fast food, processed foods, and pre-packaged foods. You should get rid of these foods over the period of a few days.^{[12]XResearch source}
- You should also avoid consuming beverages high in sugar, such as soda. Stick to water and herbal teas and cut back on caffeine and alcohol.
2
Have fresh fruits and vegetables. You should shift your diet to foods that are fresh and organic, such as fruits and vegetables. Try to eliminate dairy and meat. Opt for raw or cooked fruits and vegetables instead.^{[13]XResearch source}
- You may want to keep your fruits and vegetables as raw as possible leading up to the Master Cleanse, as this may make it easier for your body to transition to a liquid only diet. You may try blending your fruits and vegetables into smoothies with no dairy, only water. You may also try juicing the fruits and vegetables so you are consuming them in liquid form.
3
Drink liquids such as water and orange juice. In the days leading up to the Master Cleanse, you should switch to having two liters of orange juice a day. You should also have two liters of water so your body is well hydrated. Pure, organic orange juice will help your body prepare for the cleanse and get the nutrients it needs to get through the day.^{[14]XResearch source}
- You may also add maple syrup to the orange juice to make sure you get enough calories per day. Focus on a liquid only diet in the days leading up to the cleanse and then gradually switch to just the Master Cleanse. This will help your body ease into the cleanse.
4
Keep in mind the risks of the Master Cleanse. The Master Cleanse is a type of detox cleanse that is popular among celebrities and alternative medicine practitioners. But many studies have shown that low-calorie diets and fasts lead to fluid loss and weight gain once the diet or fast is over. Be wary of any guarantees of losing weight fast and keeping it off using the Master Cleanse.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}
- There are also health risks associated with detox cleanses, such as dehydration, lower electrolyte levels, and impaired bowel function. It can also disrupt the natural balance of microorganisms in your body and lead to the development of metabolic acidosis, or excess acidity in the blood.
- You should always talk to your doctor before you try the Master Cleanse. Make sure the cleanse will not make any existing medical issues worse and be willing to stop the cleanse if you start to develop health problems due to the cleanse.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preparing for a Juice Cleanse

1
Cut back on dairy products, wheat, and sugar. You should start by adjusting your diet so you do not consume any dairy products, wheat products, or products that contain sugar. Avoid having fast food, processed food, and pre-packaged food. Cut back on these foods over a period of a few days so your body is not shocked by your change in diet, especially if you tend to consume a lot of these foods.^{[16]XResearch source}^{[17]XResearch source}
- You should also eliminate animal products from your diet, such as red meat, chicken, and pork, as well as eggs. This will help you slowly transition into eating only liquids and fresh foods.
2
Opt for fresh vegetables and fruits. You should add more fresh vegetables and fruits to your diet to prepare your body for the juice cleanse. Have fruit and vegetables for every meal in raw form, such as cut up or sliced. You can also steam or boil vegetables so they are slightly cooked.
- You can have clear broth with your fruits and vegetables at your meals. Avoid having any bread products or wheat products with your fresh fruits and veggies.
- You can try blending up fresh vegetables and fruits to consume them in liquid form. This will help you prepare for the juices you will have during your cleanse.
3
Replace caffeine and alcohol with water. You should start drinking at least two liters of water a day to prepare for the cleanse. Replace all caffeine products, such as coffee and caffeinated teas, with water. You should also cut back on your alcohol consumption, as you should not drink alcohol at all during the cleanse.^{[18]XResearch source}^{[19]XResearch source}
- If you smoke cigarettes, you should cut back on smoking as it is not recommended that you smoke tobacco during the cleanse.
4
Do not make dining out plans. You should avoid making any dining out plans during your cleanse so you are not tempted to break the cleanse. You may also want to avoid dining out in the days leading up to the cleanse so you are mentally prepared.^{[20]XResearch source}
- You may also want to get a blank journal and use it during your cleanse to write down how you are feeling day to day. You may find it therapeutic to reflect on your moods and feelings during the cleanse.
5
Buy the ingredients for the juice cleanse. If you are doing your own juice cleanse at home using your own ingredients, you will need to ensure you have all the fruits and vegetables needed for the cleanse. Having the ingredients on hand will make it easier for you to prepare the juices every day.^{[21]XResearch source}
- Depending on the type of juice cleanse you are doing, you may go for more leafy green vegetables like kale, mint, basil, parsley, lettuce, cabbage, beetroot, and spinach. You may also get fruits like apple, strawberries, oranges, blueberries, and kiwis.
- Be aware that detox cleanses like a juice cleanse can lead to health issues. You should always speak to your doctor before you start a cleanse to ensure you are not at risk of health issues or make existing health problems worse on the cleanse.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the PublicGo to source}
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
What can I have the day before a colonoscopy?
Dale Prokupek, MD
Board Certified Internist & Gastroenterologist
Dale Prokupek, MD is a board-certified Internist and Gastroenterologist who runs a private practice based in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Prokupek is also a staff physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and an associate clinical professor of medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Prokupek has over 30 years of medical experience and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the liver, stomach, and colon, including chronic hepatitis C, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, anal condyloma, and digestive diseases related to chronic immune deficiency. He holds a BS in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and an MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed an internal medicine residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and a gastroenterology fellowship at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.
Dale Prokupek, MD
Board Certified Internist & Gastroenterologist
Expert Answer
The day right before a cleanse, only drink clear liquids and have no solid food.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question
What should I eat before a colon cleanse?
Dale Prokupek, MD
Board Certified Internist & Gastroenterologist
Dale Prokupek, MD is a board-certified Internist and Gastroenterologist who runs a private practice based in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Prokupek is also a staff physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and an associate clinical professor of medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Prokupek has over 30 years of medical experience and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the liver, stomach, and colon, including chronic hepatitis C, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, anal condyloma, and digestive diseases related to chronic immune deficiency. He holds a BS in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and an MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed an internal medicine residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and a gastroenterology fellowship at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.
Dale Prokupek, MD
Board Certified Internist & Gastroenterologist
Expert Answer
The week before your cleanse, try to have foods that are lower in fiber.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0