Your best friend just bought a one-week detox kit from Whole Foods, your sister raves about this lemon-juice-and-pepper cleanse, and your mom swears by a “colonic purging” she gets at her neighborhood spa.
Break the news to them gently. They’re all doing potentially irreversible damage with these programs that are heavy in price but weak on science.
Here’s the deal. The Master Cleanse and similar cleanses are almost entirely sugar and provide little if any nutrients. Even worse, they lack protein. Without protein, your body can’t effectively detox.
I’ll spare you the technical biochemistry, but understand the two phases of detoxification and you’ll see how people throw away money and their health on these store-bought and homemade concoctions.
Your liver is detox ground zero. Everything that detoxes goes through your liver in two phases. During the first phase, your liver converts fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble substances. In phase 2, your liver excretes these toxins via urine, sweat, and other bodily fluids.
Here’s the take home. If you don’t have protein, your liver can’t perform that second phase. That means highly toxic metabolites hang around and wreak havoc in your body.
Let’s ‘fess up here: you’re not cleansing or detoxing to rid yourself from toxins, but for fast fat loss. You want to burn 10 pounds by this weekend for your hot date. You’ll probably lose weight on these super low-calorie, near-starvation diets. But most of that weight loss comes not from fat, but water and lean muscle tissue. You’re literally wasting your body away.
Now that you know, you want to choose a smart plan that includes plenty of protein and nutrients to help your body effectively detox.
You’ll begin by dumping the processed foods, gluten, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and caffeine. (If you’re a monster without a morning venti Starbucks, gradually taper off the coffee.)
So what should you eat while you’re detoxing?
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Clean, lean organic protein. Have four to six ounces of grass-fed beef, cold-water wild fish, chicken or turkey at each meal. Protein shakes make the perfect meal replacement. I use The Virgin Diet All-in-One Shake with So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk as well as chia and flax seeds.
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Sulfur-containing foods. Broccoli, cabbage, and onions all provide sulfur to boost phase 2 detoxification.
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Go green. Enjoy loads of preferably organic leafy greens. If you’re not meeting your veggie quota, have an organic green drink. And add some cilantro, which is a natural heavy metal chelator, into your meals. And sneak some kale into The Virgin Diet Shake. (You won’t taste it!)
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Fiber. If you’re not eliminating, you’re not detoxifying! Legumes, raw nuts and seeds, berries, apples, and lentils come packed with fiber. Always buy organic if you can. If you’re not getting 50 grams of fiber from food, add a scoop of Medibulk into your smoothie.
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Water. Pure spring water in-between meals supports good elimination. I also like antioxidant-rich organic green tea and coconut water to supply your body electrolytes.
I’ve got added detox support in my store, including Detox Nutrient Packets. I also want to mention my Virgin Diet All-in-One Shakes are loaded with liver-boosting nutrients and antioxidants to support every day detoxification.
© 2012 JJ Virgin & Associates, Inc. Celebrity Nutrition & Fitness Expert JJ Virgin helps clients lose weight fast by breaking free from food allergies. She is the bestselling author of Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy, a Huffington Post blogger, creator of the 4X4 Burst Training Workout & co-star of TLC’s Freaky Eaters. Her latest book, New York Times Bestseller The Virgin Diet: Drop 7 Foods, Lose 7 Pounds, Just 7 Days, is out now. Learn more at www.thevirgindiet.com.
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Would you consider a sample pack of the shake flavors. I am intrigued by the Chai, but am concerned I may not like it.
Please contact Susan for more info: susan@jjvirgin.com
Chai is great don’t be afraid, I was too but I can tell you you’ll be surprised, even like the texture
I want, desperately, to believe in what you say – I bought your book however I find it very confusing and difficult to picture doing everything. I wanted to buy your new course, often when I listen to a disc at bedtime I seem to absorb more of the info – it helps.
In the past I have paid for everything that sounded reasonable, Weight Watchers, Sure Slim, Dr. Fuhrman to name the past few, and now your book – my husband is about to disown me – and another $100 or 2 might just be the final straw.
Also, I am in Canada and do not have pay-pal, so I cannot order the course and even though I can’t afford it or the Shake mix – my heart is breaking and I wonder. My skin is crappy (has been since 12) and I need to lose 1/2 my body weight, I’m old and tired (lazy really) and so desperate.
I don’t know why I’m writing except to say I shall read and re-read my book and hope to enlighten myself to try your plan, I shall listen to your online talks and lessons and try to learn. thank-you; Gwen
Hi Gwen: I am a nurse in Canada and I could not believe the book either. Here is what my fiancee and I did. I kept going to the doctor complaining that I felt like “crap”. I do have a “thyroid” issue going on (nodules) but nothing that would affect my weight. I just finished nursing school (second career I am 47) and I put on 25 pounds while in school. I could NOT lose one pound. We tried everything including EXERCISE. It got so bad that I was afraid to sit still because I would put on weight. NOTHING worked. We even thought it was because I was diagnosed with a sleep disorder (minor) and not sleep apnea. NOONE could give me an answer as to why I couldn’t lose weight.
After a FLUKE and picking up the book———we read it in one day and here is what we did.
WE CLEANED OUT OUR ENTIRE CUPBOARDS AND FRIDGE. My daughter got all our food (bad mother). YES, we did have to spend about 300 dollars but it was worth every penny. We bought a shake called VEGA (which is actually giving me issues) so I may have to try something different. I don’t know if I can get JJ’s shakes in Canada. We started on January 21st and I have lost 5 pounds WHAT….I was shocked. I have not exercised at all. I am SHOCKED SHOCKED. You have to commit. You really do. You can’t just do part of it. BUT, this really really does work. My stomach is shrinking. I can see my fingers (they were always puffy); a friend of mine who hadn’t seen me in a couple weeks said “wow you look great”. I am full. MY ONLY complaint and this is nothing to do with the diet……….I have WICKED gas. I don’t even like calling it a diet………….cause I can eat whatever I want……EXCEPT you have to read the LABELS.
I am really thinking of contacting JJ and starting a course in Canada to teach nurses. I have been NON STOP talking about this. I seriously cannot believe how I feel, how I look……on another health note: My fiancee who is borderline diabetic, just took his sugar and it is 5.7………he has not been under 6.2 for over a year. WOW,,,,,,,,,,,,,,isn’t that interesting !!!
I know how you feel, it does seem confusing, but I “think” basically start out by eleminating things that she suggests, like preservatives, artificial sweetners, Carbs, Glutten etc, that alone will help your complexion, that is what I have found to be the first thing to be better, I’m still working on the weight though, but hoping that soon that kicks in too…I’m 55 and have had some difficult health and life issues, guess I didn’t get this way over night so I need to be more patient….still difficult…good luck, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, never give up….I think JJ information is on the right track
Dear JJ,
My husband and I started your diet today. We made our first smoothies this morning and immediately got tripped up by the fact that the recipe called for a “scoop” of protein powder and there was no scoop in with our powder. What is the equivalent of a “scoop”?
Thanks!
Sometimes the scoop settles to the bottom, but it should be in there.
I notice that the protein you suggest from Thorne contain soy derived from phytosomes. Is this ok? Your program recommends staying away from all soy. What rice/pea protein do you suggest?
Yes. See my FAQ page: http://thevirgindiet.com/tvd-faq/
My husband and I have been on your diet for a week. I felt good the first couple of days, my aches and pains seemed to be less, but when I got on the scale I have only lost 1 lb. and have been totally faithful to the diet.
And to tell you the truth I feel awful, like I have low blood sugar and I just feel like I want to eat, maybe not ,enough protein.
Any suggestions?
Please refer to JJ’s FAQ page as this is, along with other issues, are addressed there! http://thevirgindiet.com/faq/
I started my diet on Monday and have made it to Friday without any cravings. I’ve had a time with the shakes though. I tried the fruit, coconut milk, and flax seed (ground) and it made the shake taste very gritty. The next day I tried adding fruit and spinach and it not only looked like swamp water, it tasted like it too. The next day I added just unsweetened vanilla extract and fruit. with coconut milk (unsweetened).. Much, much better.
I haven’t had any cravings at all and I’ve given up my coffee and replaced it with organic green tea. I’m having a hard time drinking all my water but am trying to add more and more each day.
Is there a problem with me drinking my shake and cooking my spinach and eating it on the side. I just can’t mix it in my shake….
I thought giving up the 7 foods was going to be hard, but it hasn’t been at all…. If I find I need something to tide me over I grab a few almonds and they do the trick. Thank you JJ for making this diet easy.
Dear JJ,
Your book is the miracle I have been waiting for! I have gradually been gaining weight since my mid-thirties, and although I ate so-called “healthy foods” and exercised, no matter what I did I could not get my weight to go down. Not to mention the lethargy, insomnia, stomach issues, headaches, and depression. I actually did start to believe that it was all age-related or genetic and there was nothing I could do about it. Since reading your book and starting on the 1st phase of the program I have lost 10 lbs! It’s so exciting to finally see that scale moving in the right direction. The diet is easy to follow, and I love the convenience of the shakes. Just one question, I’ve never been a big fan of soy, I don’t eat tofu or edamame, I rarely buy soy milk. Do I have to challenge my body with soy products during the second phase?
This is my first day trying the JJ Virgin diet. I have suffered for years with bloating, fatigue, and slight weight gain. Ironically, I had just eaten a meal and felt my normal “horrible” feeling afterwards when JJ was on the Rachel Ray show. I have had success with “Eat Right For Your Blood Type” and the Virgin diet seemed sort of similar. I slowly started (over 4 days) to work up to the full diet discipline. I can tell you this: I stuck to the meal today (salmon, brussels sprouts, 1/2 a sweet potato & warm PB & J for dessert) and I was blown away that for the first time I did NOT feel bloated or fatigued after I ate!! The food really was good as well. Could this be working? I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 20 days brings!
Just got your book…..am intrigued by your eating plan. It makes sense to me. However, the testimonials in the book (at least the ones I have read so far) are all about people that have lost 10, 20, 30 lbs. I have to get rid of a lot more than that. Is this plan still good for me? Anything else I will need to know for a longer term situation?
Yes! I have had people lose 100 pounds or more on The Virgin Diet.
I’ve beenon the diet for 2+ weeks…..I’ve lost only 3 lbs. I am getting discouraged and am hungry.
I am also keeping track of calories…..I’ve been around 1200 calories a day.
I thought this diet would be more of a “jump start” on my weight loss journey. I like the shakes….and actually like eating such healthy foods…..but the weight is NOT coming off! HELP!
I have been doing your diet perfectly but when is it time to pull a healthy food like spinach from your diet? I am getting severe cramping diaherra EVERYTIME I eat it and it last for up to a day.
If you think spinach is doing this, of course pull it! Can’t believe spinach is doing this but it might….we can react to anything at anytime!
That happens to me too. I absolutely cannot eat spinach. Glad I’m not alone.
Hi, is your protein powder available in any retail outlet?
Not at the moment- hope to at some point!
I purchased the All in One Shake (vanilla) on January 3, 2013. I have been waiting to start my diet. However, I have never received my order and it is January 16th. I have not had time to call my credit card company to see if I have been charged. I do have my order form and have contacted you by email as I was unable to get anyone to answer my calls. My order id is 205122115 and the sku for the product was VIRSP677. I really am disappointed in your service and the fact that it takes soooo very long for anyone to contact you. This is no way to run a business and I am thus far very disappointed.
Isn’t the $10 shipping fee to assure a 3 day delivery? Thinking of canceling this order.
Cindy Ryan
Hey Cindy- we apologize in the delay in order, as well as lack of communication on our end-Unfortunately, we had to change the 3 day policy and removed that the first week of Jan as we are blowing through these shakes faster than expected and had to bring on extra people at the warehouse and extra customer service – we are honestly doing the best we can and we are sorry that this has happened-Please email Ashley@jjvirgin.com- she will assist you with your order!
JJ:
My husband and I bought your book and started your diet two weeks ago. We are following the instructions to the letter. It seems to be working wonders for him–he’s lost weight, his energy is up, he’s in a better mood, etc. Not so much for me. I am fatigued all the time and quite moody. I don’t have cravings or anything like that. I simply don’t have any energy. I can hardly get through my typical training session at the gym, let alone be productive at work. I’m not sure what is happening. I was so excited to give this a try but am disappointed at my lack of energy. It’s not hard to follow the diet, but it is very hard for me to have such a low amount of energy. Typically, I have lots of energy so this is very strange. What could be happening?
On the positive side, my husband is doing very well. I can’t believe the difference it has made for him.
Hey Joy! You may be eating less calories than you are used to and still doing as much activity. While in cycle 1, ease up on workouts or include a snack prior to going to the gym.
I just started JJ’s diet last week and one the things to avoid is sugar in all forms. I noticed that the shake she has us drinking twice a day contains “organic cane juice sugar” can anyone explain this to me? Thanks Jane
Your book says there is a Grocery list on your site. I found a great blog, Grocery Shopping 101, but the last sentence says the following week you will talk about other foods and shakes. I cannot find that article. Help, as I want to go shopping tomorrow and start the diet as soon as my pantry is stocked.
Thanks.
JJ,
I purchased the Kindle version of the book and my husband and I are going to being in 2 weeks. I wonder, do you know how one might get a printed version of the recipes and shopping list? I didn’t consider that I’d need to consult the ancient kindle I have each time I wanted to cook or go to the supermarket. Thoughts?
Best,
Ro
Hi JJ, my wife and I are on our 22nd day of the diet and have each lost 12 pounds. We also have more energy and are eating better than ever so thank you! I have two questions for you, one is regarding the shakes. In one place in the book it says serves 4 and in another it is left blank near the servings area. We have been doubling the recipe and making 4 (12) ounce or so shakes. Are we supposed to only eat 6 or so oz per meal? Secondly I have developed an odd swelling of both my middle toes (red and sensitive to the touch). Researching different sites and others experiencing the same issue (people not on the diet). It is looking like possibly gout which can be caused by high protein and low sugar diets (according to one gout specialist). I am going in to see my doctor this week and will let you know what I find out. Otherwise we have been very happy with our change in diet and I look forward to reintroduction this week although we feel so good that we might leave the 7 items off our grocery
list for good! Any info on these two questions would be appreciated. Sincerely, Mark
Can you have whey protein when you are doing the 7 foods elimination diet cleanse?
I bought your book on my nook and began your diet last Monday. I have no complaints on the shakes I actually find them to be delicious and the kale makes them better. The mixes of greens and so forth has actually shocked me; I use a variety of greens and add strawberries and blueberries with walnuts and flax seeds I make my own dressing Italian I use a little bit of olive oil and red wine vinegar mix in seasons and it truly blows my mind how good this truly is. My first week and I lost 7lbs now on my second week and was doing good until we bought a darn pizza for the kids and I blew it I ate a slice of the pizza so disappointed in myself. I will say though the pizza was not as good as I thought it would be.
On week two I started to develop a loss of energy and a small headache. I am not excersising and I live a high demand lifestyle. I think it took my body a week to notice its not getting what it wants lol.
My questions on this diet, I have a hard time consuming the correct water amount. Also I drink 2 cups of coffee a day I just can not give up my coffee I use coconut milk in it and no sugar how bad is that?
I am not heavily over weight I am 5’7 and before ur diet weighed 149 my weight to date is 141 I want to be a fit and lean 135. And healthy that is the main thing.
I do agree with your book and feel it is a proven healthy choice for weight loss. Thank you
JJ,
Haven’t seen any reply? How many oz are the protein shakes supposed to be for breakfast?
Well, I’m now into day 10 and it isn’t as hard as it sounds. Total weight lost is 8 pounds. Last night I had my Bunco Club over for Valentine Dinner and they had to eat like me. Most didn’t even know. I’m searching for the starter kit for making coconut-milk kefir, but I can’t seem to find it.
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon so far. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you certain about the source?|What i don’t realize is if truth be told how you are now not actually much more well-preferred than you might be now. You’re so intelligent.