I would really like to start the low starch diet (seriously this time!), but I'm quite addicted to chocolate, sweets and starches like rice and cookies. I have tried to do the low starch diet a few times, but I kept tripping. Should I juice fast before to help get a kick start? And what is the recommended time to do a juice fast? I also don't have a juicer, so I will have to buy juice from the store. I usually buy ones that say 100% fruit juice. Hopefully those are okay?

Any help and advice would be great,
Thanks!

Hi there Higatt,

I am a big fan of freshly made green juices for fasting. I think fasting can help give the gut and body a break from inflammation mode and can quickstart the healing process.

I am pretty weary of store bought juices, I personally don't drink them. I always feel like they are processed with extra sugars, or concentrated and processed in a way so that its so much like drinking sugar. But since they are virtually starch free, so it might work for you.

I might suggest trying to buy a used juicer on craigslist.org or something, and then you can juice lots of helpful healing veggies too. Celery, Wheatgrass, Cucumber, Parlsey, etc, to truly alkaline your gut, and then add in an apple and lemon to make it more palatable.

That's not to say a fast on juices from the store won't work. I just happen to follow a lot of avid juicers online and on Facebook and all the awesome healing stories I read are based on juicing "live" fruits & veggies. I also experienced an awesome feeling of healing after my 2 week green juice fast.

Please let us know how your juice fast goes!!

-Andrea

Hi Andrea,

Thanks so much for you reply! I'm still uncertain of some things about juice fasting, especially since I'm on Naproxen regularly (usually 2 times a day - morning and night). If I juice fast, I won't be able to take medication because I haven't eaten food. And if I don't take medication, I don't know if I'll have pain or not? I think that's my biggest concern right now. Also, I don't have any doctors to supervise me because I don't know how they'll respond with my decision to do a juice fast.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you

>> If I juice fast, I won't be able to take medication because I haven't eaten food.
>> And if I don't take medication, I don't know if I'll have pain or not?

Why don't you add in some fruit (especially apples and pears) for the times when you need to take medication. Light fruit won't spoil the positive results of a fast IMHO. In fact the fibre will help to clear the gut and get things moving. We call it a "fruit fast" although it is technically a "fruit mono-diet" and typically do it for about 3 days. Works pretty well for getting people started on the diet.

>> weary of store bought juices

I'm with Andrea on this. I have tried raw freshly carrot juice many a time and I always feel more lively and healthy after drinking, however the bottled carrot juice on the shop shelves just does nothing for me.. it is after all cooked/pasteurised. All the vitality and enzymes are gone

I agree too, the small amount of food to take your pill should not upset the fast too much. I hope it works out for you,you will definately feel releif,I have only done it for a couple day s and I feel better.
take care!

Hi zark,

Do you suggest I eat fruit and fruit juice at the same time? Should I be eating more than one apple per meal with the medication? Although my specialist says it doesn't matter how much food I eat, I kind of think it does...I'm not certain what to think regarding this.

Also, can I eat different types of fruits in the same meal? I'm not sure what the rules are or if there are rules, where can I find more information?

I will have to drink store bought juice for now...until I can save up for a legit juicer. I guess I'll be eating mostly apples and juice for the next 3 days. How do I know when to stop after 3 days or keep going?

Also, do you think I could make make applesauce by boiling the apple and smashing it, then adding some lemon and cinnamon? Or would that not give me the results I want?

Thank you,
HIGATT

Thank you, Valsmum! I'm curious, how has NSD helped decrease your inflammation? I'm optimistic about this diet, but at the same time, I have heard from others that it has not worked for them. Also, do you know your trigger foods, and how were you able to figure them out precisely?

Thank you,
HIGATT

Hi there! My husband did a juice fast before starting NSD and it was a huge success. I can highly recommend it. We watched the movie: 'Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead' first, which was great in explaining juicing. I also blogged about his juice experience and how it affected his AS: www.farmerkskitchen.com (go to the menus across the top and click on K's Reboot for all the info).
Good luck! - Katrina