Cleanse Check-In

[susanb]

I mentioned going on a cleanse in another thread, and someone (sorry, I don't remember who) asked me to check in. We had our first check in today with the doctor who recommended this for DH, so I thought it would be a good time. 

DH and I are doing the Standard Process Cleanse.  Basically, you can only eat nutrient dense vegetables, fruit, chicken, fish, healthy oils and 1/2 cup of brown rice per day.  You can eat unlimited fruits and veggies, but your veggie consumption has to be half of your fruit consumption and half of the veggies must be raw.  You aren't supposed to eat fish or chicken until day 10, but DH started to eat them on day 3 (due to fatigue) and I started on day 5 (due to unwanted weight loss).  You also take a lot of supplements such as fiber and fish oil and drink two shakes per day.  After the 21 days are over, you re-introduce one food at a time (for three days) to see how you feel. 

Tuesday is day 11 of 21.

The good:

1. DH's blood pressure is down from 130/70 to 115/60.  His resting pulse rate also dropped 10 points. 
2. DH has lost 6 pounds and I haven't lost any, so we are both meeting our weight loss goals.
3. We are learning to cook and appreciate vegetables in new ways.  Asparagus fries (broiled asparagus with celtic sea salt) and avocado with cucumbers and rice have been some of our favorites.
4. The cravings for bad foods pretty much stopped on day 7 or 8 and we are now craving healthy foods.
5. DH has a much better idea of portion control for refined carbohydrates and has a better understanding of their glycemic index.

The bad:

1. Even though you can eat as much produce as you want, we were very hungry the first 7 days while our bodies adjusted. 
2. The first 3 days were miserable.  Headaches and fatigue. 
3. The cost.  Getting enough calories primarily from organic produce for a day is expensive.

Overall, I think this is getting us towards eating a plant based diet and meals that are made up of 70% vegetables.

[MarleyKeezy78]

<img text="-party-" alt=" -party-" src="http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/party.gif"> Way to go! DH and I want to start juicing and we bought all organic fruits and veggies last week as well as introducing salmon in to DH's diet (he always hated fish but is coming around). It is crazy expensive but we have been feeling better. Another thing we tried was sprouted spelt bread, yum! Have to admit we were nervous on that one! Keep up the great work!!!<br>

[greeniis10]

Thank you!  It was me who originally requested an update, so thank you!  I'm doing something similar, but like you, weight loss isn't my goal - just cleaner eating.  I'm having fruit, veggies, and brown rice (I'm already a vegetarian) and the first three days were HARD!  I was pretty grumpy, but after that I felt a lot "lighter", if that makes sense. 

Anyway, good job to you both!  Keep it up!

[motherto2]

Good for you guys!  I wish I could eat like that, but I have to be very careful of eating too much roughage.  Bad side effects means heading to the bathroom every few minutes.  Not conducive to a good work environment .

[Deleted]

I am thinking about trying this, but it will be hard to do it for 21 days.

[Deleted]

Is it just a 'sprint' diet where you are only on it for a certain # of days?

Where is the dietary protein need being met?  Is that in the shake part of the diet.  I can't imagine a doctor saying no protein for numerous days.

[susanb]

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and kind words! 

Angel, 21 days seemed horribly long at first.  I was counting down each day, but honestly now that I am on day 15/16, I don't even have cravings for foods that are outside the rules.

Rockit - Yes, the shakes have protein and additional whey protein powder is available if you want it.  No, it isn't a sprint diet because you do not go off of it at the end of 21 days.  You re-introduce one food at a time for three days to see how you feel.  Some people who have done this have found strange reactions to foods.  For example, one woman said that potatoes hurt her joints and had prevented her from exercising prior to learning that on this cleanse. 

[whoisjohngalt]

Susan, what made you guys decide to do it?  And are you considering changing your eating habits completely after this?

I've always had love it/hate it feelings about any cleanses.  On one hand, it sounds so nice and refreshing and well, cleansing - which I love.  But then I always keep coming back to  -  unless "you" start eating healthier afterwards, what's the point?  I also think (and that's just my opinion, not based on any research or anything), how healthy/unhealthy is it to throw your body into this kind of thing.....

And I also read "somewhere" a long time ago that our bodies, if working properly, get rid of any toxins and bad stuff on their own, without any "cleansing". 

In any case, I find this very interesting.  Good job on sticking to it and I hope you keep us posted.

[Deleted]

I have inflammation reactions to foods, as well as ear fluid, stomach issues. Most I've learned by trial and error, but I have been wondering about something like this to test more systematically?  I ordered a book called the plan? 

What protein is in your shake? Is it a mix? I don't think I could go so far, would probably keep salmon and chicken from the beginning...

[susanb]

Lena, we both already ate pretty healthy before this, but DH has had a lot of trouble with portion control and has gained a lot of weight in the last few years.  Also, he is very food sensitive, and complains about feeling poorly after (even some healthy) meals, so I thought this would be a good way to find out what foods bother him. 

My motivations is that I want to eat more vegetables and thought that cleansing my palette would help me appreciate them more, which has been the case.  I do plan to continue eating as I am now. 

[whoisjohngalt]

Good for you guys!!  I don't even know if I have enough will power to do something like this

[susanb]

Oped, my protein is whey based and DH's is rice based.  I am not sure if either/both of them contain gluten.  They are powders that can be blended into shakes. 

I also love Spirutein, a gluten free, vegetarian protein/shake powder.  It is full of amino acids and I think I might start using that when I am done with Standard Process. 

[Deleted]

From what I see on the website, you can only get the supplements through an authorized health official.  Is that how you got it Susan?

[susanb]

Hi Angel - Yes, we got ours from a doctor, but you can order SP cleanse kits and supplements from Amazon. 

The kits on Amazon have different supplements.  Here is the package the doctor put together for me (males get a different package)

SP complete Shake - 2x a day for 21 days
Gastro Fiber - 1x a day added to shakes - Colon support

The following are pills
SP cleanse  - 3x a day week one - Liver cleansing
Zypan - 3x a day for 21 days -  Digestive Enzyme
Gymnema 4g - 2x a day for 21 days.  This is meant to cut down on sugar/carb cravings.  It is my biggest weakness and has helped with that.  I will continue to take this. 
Tuna Fish Oil - 3x a day for 21 days - Omega 3 Oils.  This has been great because there is no aftertaste like I have experienced with other fish oil supplements. 
SP Green Food - 3x a day week two - Liver support

DH told me tonight that he no longer has the desire to eat until he is stuffed.  I hate feeling overly full, so I rarely eat that much and can't really understand it, but he says it puts him into a relaxed state he calls a "food coma."  He said he feels more relaxed now all of the time and just doesn't want to eat that way. 

As I mentioned, I am a sugar/simple carb person.  I don't have any weight issues, but don't think that eating empty carbs and sugar is good for me, especially with diabetes in my family.  Those cravings aren't gone, but they are really minimal, so it has helped us both with our dietary weaknesses.  Spending all of this time focusing on food (learning new ways to prepare, shopping, lots of chopping and cooking) was a real PITA at first, but now that I have a new routine and some new habits, it isn't a big deal. 

[weltschmerz]

Yes, the shakes have protein and additional whey protein powder is available if you want it.
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Sprinkling hemp seeds on your food adds loads of protein. I don't eat any red meat, but live pretty much on fish, fruit and veggies. The hemp seeds are quite tasty on salads.
If your husband isn't too keen on fish, I have a maple-ginger salmon recipe that even fish-haters can't get enough of. Let me know.

[weltschmerz]

Approximately 44% of the weight of hempseed is edible oils, containing about 80% essential fatty acids (EFAs); e.g., linoleic acid, omega-6 (LA, 55%), alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 (ALA, 22%), in addition to gamma-linolenic acid, omega-6 (GLA, 1–4%) and stearidonic acid, omega-3 (SDA, 0–2%). Proteins (including edestin) are the other major component (33%), second only to soy (35%).

Hempseed's amino acid profile is close to "complete" when compared to more common sources of proteins such as meat, milk, eggs and soy.^[24] Hemp protein contains all 21 known amino acids, including the 9 essential ones^[25] adult bodies cannot produce. Proteins are considered complete when they contain all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities and ratios to meet the body's needs.

-wiki

[Deleted]

Feb 11, 2013 6:19:23 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Yes, the shakes have protein and additional whey protein powder is available if you want it.
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Sprinkling hemp seeds on your food adds loads of protein. I don't eat any red meat, but live pretty much on fish, fruit and veggies. The hemp seeds are quite tasty on salads.
If your husband isn't too keen on fish, I have a maple-ginger salmon recipe that even fish-haters can't get enough of. Let me know.

Please send it to me. I can't stand salmon, but DH loves it and I would love to find something to make me like it.

[Deleted]

I have hemp seeds here, will have to start using thm more. What do you do for B 12 welts? I'm not a big supplement person. 

Susan, just not eating sweets can reduce the cravings. You might not 'need' to continue the supplement?

i also think that if you switch to more nutrient dense desserts and less refined sugars, you don't have to give them up completely, and are satisfied with much less.

[greeniis10]

Well, I'm glad to see this thread more active!  After last week I didn't think it was doing so well.  Interesting about all the supplements...  I'm just doing cleaner eating overall (fruit, veggies - either steamed or roasted, not raw - and brown rice) and I already take fish oil pills and a whey protein shake before workouts.  Either way the effect is somewhat the same: not craving sugar/carbs and developing new habits.  It seems like hard work at first, but it is worth it!

[midjd]

Very interesting thread.

Susan, if you don't mind sharing, was this your idea or your DH's? Any trouble getting the other spouse on board? Was there a triggering moment for either of you?

I think DH and I could both benefit from a cleanse, but although I've had some success introducing vegetables into his diet (he was raised on Hamburger Helper) I'm pretty sure a suggestion to go meat/carb free for 3 weeks would not be well-received   Maybe I should start smaller...

[weltschmerz]

I have hemp seeds here, will have to start using thm more. What do you do for B 12 welts? I'm not a big supplement person.
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I actually have a medical condition which causes Malabsorption Syndrome. I have to give myself B12 shots every month. I hate doing it. I have no problem sticking others with needles, but doing it to myself turns my stomach. I'd make a lousy junkie.

[weltschmerz]

Please send it to me. I can't stand salmon, but DH loves it and I would love to find something to make me like it.
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Sure. It's SO easy! Marinate a filet of salmon in an oven-proof dish in a mixture of real maple syrup, soy sauce (reduced sodium works fine), fresh grated ginger and fresh garlic. Marinate for no more than 20 minutes, as the flesh tends to break down quite quickly. Slide the whole thing into the oven at 350 for about 20-25 minutes until it becomes flaky. It depends on the size of the filet.
For some reason, maple and salmon really complement each other.(see maple-smoked salmon).
It's beyond delicious, and I have yet to meet anyone who didn't love it, even folks who hate fish.

If you want the sauce more runny, cover it while it's baking. Uncovering makes it caramelized and sticky. That's how i like it.

[susanb]

Feb 11, 2013 12:43:27 GMT -5 midjd said:

Very interesting thread.

Susan, if you don't mind sharing, was this your idea or your DH's? Any trouble getting the other spouse on board? Was there a triggering moment for either of you?

I think DH and I could both benefit from a cleanse, but although I've had some success introducing vegetables into his diet (he was raised on Hamburger Helper) I'm pretty sure a suggestion to go meat/carb free for 3 weeks would not be well-received   Maybe I should start smaller...

Mid, this was my idea, but I knew it would be easy because DH loves to do cleanses.  I went on one with him that involved drinking a bunch of lemon/cranberry juice and then drinking sea salt.  Ugh.  I was starving and binged afterwards because I was so hungry.  Never again.  When I found out about this, I mentioned it to him because I see it as more of a diet reset than anything else.

As far as triggers....we both whined a lot the first week.  I had a hard time shopping and smelling the samples/fresh bread at Trader Joe's.  All of the initial prep and work triggered me to be bitchy, or at least that is my excuse and I am sticking to it. 

I think you are right about starting smaller.  DH's maintenance goal is to eat 50% vegetables with every meal.  Maybe you guys could agree on a goal like that?  Eating red meat x times a week or eating x % of vegetables or whatever you would like to improve/incorporate. 


Green, I agree that there are lots of ways to go about eating cleaner.  It sounds like you are doing a great job at it!

[Deleted]

I've been using coconut aminos lately instead of soy sauce. 

[Jaguar]

My brother makes salmon with maple syrup on the grill. He gets a small piece of some type of wood to put on the grill to lay the salmon on. Then cooks it enough, then transfers it to the oven to finish cooking.

[weltschmerz]

Feb 11, 2013 13:26:18 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

My brother makes salmon with maple syrup on the grill. He gets a small piece of some type of wood to put on the grill to lay the salmon on. Then cooks it enough, then transfers it to the oven to finish cooking.

Probably a cedar plank.

[Jaguar]

I think it was an apple plank, if I remember correctly. Welts his maple glazed salmon was melt in your mouth awesome. He had baked potatoes with blueberries as well.

[greeniis10]

Thanks, Susanb!  I'd love to go completely organic, but it is expensive and options are limited where I am right now.  Summer / Fall is great with Farmer's Market, but this time of year I have to rely on the grocery store. 

Oped, coconut aminos instead of soy sauce?  Hmmm... I'll have to look into that.  I love soy sauce but hate the sodium.  Even low-sodium options aren't that great. 

And, which are better: hemp seeds or flax seeds?  Or do they have different purposes?  Guess I can always google that as well...

[Deleted]

Different purposes. I use flax mainly to replace the occasional egg myself.

[weltschmerz]

And, which are better: hemp seeds or flax seeds? Or do they have different purposes? Guess I can always google that as well...
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Hemp seeds have twice the protein of flax seeds and 50% more protein than almonds. They're really good for you.
They taste good, too.