Blueprint Cleanse

Diet craze sweeping New York

We've all been there. Suddenly summer or a special occasion is just round the corner and we start on an emergency detox in an attempt to shift those extra few kilos. We lurch from coffee and cigarettes to carrot and celery sticks; and while this might have the desired effect on our waistlines, is this extreme purge really good for us?

The word "detox" sounds reassuring; we know that toxins are bad for us, and that raw and natural foods are good. We all hear about celebrities going on detox diets, so why shouldn't a detox diet be a good bet?

In reality, like many other fad diets, detox diets can have harmful side effects. Although the results can look pleasing, for many people this sudden cleanse can simply be too extreme — like going from a gentle walk to running a full marathon. It can be a difficult process, causing headaches and fatigue as toxins are eliminated from your body.

The claim
Blueprint Cleanse claims to be a nutritional cleanse that helps the body detoxify itself and move through the detox cycle faster and with fewer symptoms. The emphasis is on nutrition rather than depriving your body. Raw and completely unprocessed fruits and vegetables, as well as delicious-sounding ingredients such as cashew nut milk and agave nectar, are put through hydraulic presses to create a range of fresh juices packed with enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

If you live in the US, the juices are delivered directly to your door and all you need to do is remember to drink them. Blueprint covers off each and every minor detail for you — from what to cut out before starting the detox, to how to re-introduce foods afterwards.

The cleanse comes in three levels — Renovation, Foundation, and Excavation — which you select based on your desired level of cleansing and on how healthy your usual lifestyle is. As these are designed with specific types of people in mind, it means you don't need to worry about any unpleasant side effects.

Next you choose your length of cleanse; they recommend three to five days but you can really go for as long or as short as you'd like. It's as simple as that: drink the juices throughout the day along with plenty of water and herbal tea in between and apparently, you'll feel like a new person at the end.

The test run
Since Blueprint only delivers within the US I had to put together my own juice plan. Without the benefit of getting fresh juices delivered I had to shop, chop and prepare each day, which took quite a lot of time and effort. Using the ingredients listed on the website, I did the best I could but wasn’t sure if my home-made detox cocktails were spot on. Doing it through a company such as Blueprint would definitely be far easier. At the start I had massive cravings, followed by some tiredness and headaches. However, I never felt overly hungry or malnourished. And with all fresh ingredients, the juices were generally pretty tasty. The only real downside was its effect on my social life — I couldn't stop thinking about food!

The results
7/10. By day three I felt thinner and healthier and had a definite spring to my step. I could also see the benefits in my hair and skin. Not one for the lazy though as the makeshift version of this diet requires plenty of forward planning.