Tomato Juice Diet

Juice fasting has become a popular option for people looking to drop weight fast. By consuming only juice, in theory you can flush your system and drop unwanted pounds quickly. One of the most well-known variations is the tomato juice diet.

Juice fasting has been proven to have negative side effects on the body, and is not intended to be followed as a long-term eating plan. This method of fasting should never be followed for more than 10 consecutive days.

Before starting any diet, speak to your physician to determine a meal plan that is right for you.

Tomato Juice Diet

On the tomato juice diet, only liquids are consumed for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. Tomato juice is the foundation of this diet, with a glass of tomato juice consumed in place of a full meal. Freshly-squeezed tomato juice is recommended, as bottled or canned tomato juice contains additives such as sugar.

Unlimited amounts of water and tea are allowed as well, but be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming through tea. Solid foods of any kind are prohibited.

Bowel movements may be difficult during the fast, due to the lack of fiber intake. To promote healthy bowel movements, a natural fiber supplement, such as psyllium, is recommended.

Coming off the diet is just as important as speaking with a physician prior to starting the fast. Solid food should be slowly reintroduced into your system. On the first day after the cleanse, stick to liquids, but incorporate juices like orange, apple, and cranberry. Bottled juices are acceptable. On the second day post-diet, start with juice and liquids again, and try a light vegetable or broth-based soup. If you feel fine, you can start eating crackers, vegetables, and fruits on the third day. Continue to reintroduce solid foods slowly, gauging how you feel as an indicator on whether or not to proceed with solid foods.

Variations

Many variations of the tomato juice diet have been adopted by fad dieters everywhere. Lemon juice, which is the foundation of the Master Cleanse fast made famous by Beyonc in 2006, is the original fruit juice diet, which was originally conceived as a cleanse to rid the body of toxins. Fad-dieters then adapted the liquid diet, with variations on all types of fruits and vegetables. The principle is the same regardless of the fruit or vegetable juice consumed: fresh-squeezed juice is substituted for a meal of solid food.

Warnings

It is important to speak with a physician before starting any type of diet, especially if you have diabetes or another chronic medical condition. Serious health risks exist for certain individuals, and only a doctor can assess if a meal plan is right for you. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should never fast.

Liquid fasts are not intended as long-term weight loss options. They originated as a quick fix to peel off unwanted pounds in a flash, and pose serious health risks if followed for more than 10 consecutive days.

Once solid food is consumed after a tomato juice fast, any weight lost is likely to be regained; in some cases, additional pounds creep back onto the body. Because the dieter is so starved for solid food, he or she has a greater propensity to binge eat, resulting in weight higher than at the start of the juice fast.

Consuming only liquefied tomatoes carries a variety of potentially harmful side effects. First, extreme hunger is likely to result from drinking only tomato juice. Dizziness often accompanies hunger, and can produce a light-headed feeling. Consuming only one type of fruit (in this case, tomato) deprives the body of necessary nutrients naturally found in other vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. The body cannot function effectively on one type of food. Plus, having a lack variety in a diet increases boredom, which often leads to binge eating.

Constipation is a known side effect of a liquid fast.