reasons). But this nutritional nudge will set you off in the right direction. I’ve
outlined specifically what to eat during these three days, but first, some general
guidelines:
Restrict your calories, but do not starve. This regimen contains around 1,250
calories per day, which is nearly 20 percent less than you eat in my 21-Day Plan.
But you are not denying your body nutrients like you would in a deprivation-
based cleanse; instead, you are delivering only good nutrients to your body. This
is about cleansing, not enduring three days of hunger that makes you want to
gnaw on a coffee table. So while you may be a little bit uncomfortable because
you’re hungry, you won’t be starving.
Be rigid. While I don’t think your general eating life should follow strict rules
(after all, the “S” in FIXES stands for Special-occasion sugar), a seventy-two-
hour cleanse is an exception: no added sugar, no heavily processed foods, no
alcohol, no caffeine. (If you are prone to experiencing caffeine withdrawal, you
might want to prepare your body by cutting back a little bit a few weeks before
starting a cleanse: Cut your original intake by 25 percent the first week, 50
percent the second week, and 75 percent the third week. By the time you’re
ready to begin the cleanse, you should be able to go cold turkey.) That’s a key
part of the intestinal spruce-up. With the clean ingredients that you will be
eating, your organs will feel like they’re swimming in Caribbean waters.
Speaking of waters, stick to drinking water and decaffeinated herbal tea.
During these three days, I want you to make hydrating a priority. (Sparkling
water is fine; if you need a little flavour, add a squeeze of lemon.)
Say a simple mantra: repair and rejuvenate. This is what the cleansing foods
will do as they begin to get your organs, systems, tissues, and blood flow
working the way they should.
Here, my three-day kick in the pants.
Cleanse Menu
No weird ingredients, no fancy equipment—just good, simple, healthy food. You
have two options: You can eat a mix of solid foods and sippable options, or you
can opt for an all-liquid cleanse. The benefit to all-liquid is that it reduces the
load on your intestines, giving them a short respite. If that sounds appealing, go