“I’m fasting this week”, that’s what got my attention about this documentary: 
“Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” (watch trailer here). The worst part was that I had to hear it from a good friend, who I’ve watched grow out of unhealthy eating habits, to a better version of herself today. And she worked hard for it, and now…a juice fast? But why? Due to time constraints?
Trust me, I get the hype about this documentary. A 42-year-old Australian man, coming to America to spread the word about his 60-day juice fast which resulted in an 82-pound weight loss. And all he had to do was drink this juice, made out of fresh fruits and vegetables, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That’s “all…he had…to do.”
(pause)
Do you have ANY idea how difficult and unrealistic that would be for the majority of Americans?!
(takes a deep breath)
While tweeting my frustrations regarding this documentary, Amelia from Eating Made Easy was on point when she tweeted: “I found it very frustrating. Wasted opportunity to give people practical tips to eat healthy for life. FASTS DON’T LAST!” I couldn’t agree more.
Fasting, used as a form of weight loss or even as a way to “detoxify” your body, is like the latest tabloid magazine on the shelves of your local bookstore. You know, the ones that you’ll read standing up but not actually purchase. They’re temporary, and worthless, because they won’t really hold any value to your lifestyle other than being able to participate in conversations that involve phrases like: “I read Kim got a divorce?!” or “Oh, I can’t eat. I’m on a juice fast.” In a week, probably less, there will be another story or fad diet to top that last one. More often than not, they don’t stick around for the long-term.
3 Reasons Why Fasts Don’t Last
1. Starving Slows Metabolism. Limiting yourself to only eating fresh fruits and vegetables in liquid form not only is restricting your caloric intake below your daily estimated needs, but also slows down your metabolism. If you train your body to only digest liquids, that’s exactly what it will do. And the second you start eating solid foods again? Well it will have to work harder to be able to digest solid foods more efficiently. And yes, this may lead you back to weight gain if you’re not careful.
2. You Will…Eat Again. Although juice fasts may be a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound), it’s not long-term. Just like any diets, it ends. You will eventually go back to eating solid foods, and when you do, what will you have learned? Would you be able to apply those changes in your life long after the fast? …Have you learned anything at all?
3. Look Around You. We live in a world that obsesses over food. Obesity epidemic, diabetes, heart disease— that’s the type of problems we are facing and it won’t take a juice fast to fix it. It will take small changes that are realistic and can be made for the long-term.
Although this documentary may act as a catalyst for change for many people (which by the way, I support by all means), I don’t feel that fasting is the answer. That’s like buying CliffsNotes instead of actually reading the book itself.
Have you watched the documentary? What are your thoughts? Do you agree, or disagree with what I had to say?
I love your 3 tips. Way to sum up a complicated topic in a clear and concise way!
Thanks for your feedback (and inspiration) Amelia!
To compare a fast to a fad diet is ridiculous and irresponsible. Humans have been fasting for many years for a variety of reasons. The documentary showed how two men used fasting as a catalyst for major dietary change – it wasn’t just about losing weight, but curing disease and addiction to food. So what if it’s difficult? No one said change was easy. To say it’s “unrealistic” is to say that people cannot realistically choose a healthier lifestyle. Are you saying it’s more “realistic” for people to succumb to society’s inundation of unhealthy eating habits?
Look around YOU. Plenty of people have changed their lives and reversed crippling disease through juice fasting and healthy eating. It’s not “unrealistic” at all for people to want to make drastic changes through healthier choices.
Maybe you should watch it again.
First off, human fasting for a variety of other reasons outside of weight loss…is a completely different category which I will not get into. I am solely basing this blog post on the documentary itself. I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and this is mine. You don’t have to agree with it. In my profession, I try to base everything off of scientific-based research as much as possible.
And yes, I understand the documentary and how those two men used juicing as a drastic change to change their lifestyle. I just don’t believe that it is the best way. And it IS about losing weight in order to cure the disease and addiction to food. It’s about making those behavioral changes in order to lose weight especially since a lot of those diseases are caused by obesity.
Nowhere in my blog post did I say that “succumbing to society’s inundation of unhealthy eating habits” is the more “realistic” approach. In fact, that had absolutely nothing to do with my point. I just don’t agree that juicing necessarily has to be what you need to do in order to make changes in your diet. Why do you need to turn fruits and vegetables into juice when you can actually just eat it? Juicing it makes it easier for your body to digest which isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially since your body gets used to digesting it that way and am pretty sure that people will eventually go back to eating solid foods thereafter. I feel that “juicing” is an unnecessary step. Just go straight to incorporating more fruits and vegetables in your diet. People don’t realize that you may potentially be doing harm to your metabolism by restricting your caloric intake.
To each their own. This is my take.
I have not watched this documentary, but I don’t think I need to since I already figured I would NOT be a fan. I can confidently say that I believe my reaction would echo yours! Thanks for sharing this intelligent and realistic review with everyone. I worry most people fail to look past that weight loss that is possible on this type of regimen and realize what will most likely happen when the 60 days is up!
Thanks for reading Tanya! And no, I definitely agree. And I feel like it’s so hard to get that point across. I mean, I’m not saying it isn’t going to work. Sure, if you cut your caloric intake down to just fruits and vegetables and most likely below your caloric needs, you will lose weight. But like you said, what happens after that 60 days? What have they learned? It can get so frustrating because they’re able to market it so well. They know what people want to hear and they don’t think twice about sharing this “brilliant” fix to their problem. Who wouldn’t? And now…let’s strike back!
Agree agree AGREEEEE!!!!! THANK YOU. Why did they totally miss the boat on advocating for plain ‘ol healthy eating!? Sigh. I watched it and wrote my review here: http://eatwellwithjanelblog.com/my-fat-sick-and-nearly-dead-review/ (not trying to promote my blog or spam you!)
It’s disappointing to say that, it’s not what people want to hear. “Juice for 60 days and lose 82 pounds” is far more intriguing then “just eat your fruits and vegetables” apparently. And I know we’re aware of it. I mean, before I became an RD, I believed the same thing. Now it’s our turn to flip the script! P.S. I sure wish there was some kind of food documentary club advocating nutrition! DING DING DING?!
I must say that ‘I Disagree’ – after watching this documentary – 4 months ago – my husband and I started Juicing – and have been doing so ever since – we juice fasted for a week – Rebooted our bodies – and continue to do so by eating a plant based diet along with juicing – Just like in the documentary – I was able to rid myself of daily headaches and acid reflux – I used to pop pills daily for these issues – We have both lost weight and continue to do so – If you had bothered to look past the documentary itself and reviewed the website – http://www.jointhereboot.com – you would have seen that the program is not just about juice fasting – It is Rebooting your body and mind – making healthy choices – and kicking bad habits.
So please take the time to review the site as well – Thank You -
If there is anything that I failed to shine the light on, it is the fact that these two men in the documentary were able to reverse their diseases. Yes they lost the weight, and their labs improved dramatically, and they were able to inspire people along the way. I agree that it was very inspiring for people who needed that extra boost of inspiration. I am thrilled that your husband and yourself were able to make those changes towards a healthier lifestyle, and I am glad this way of thinking worked for you. Not very many people have that kind of commitment, which is why I still stand by my thoughts on this documentary. Who doesn’t wish that there was just a reboot button people can press to fix everything? And I can see how “Joe the Juicer” used that metaphor and was able to capture an audience like yourself. My real concern is, not everyone can commit the way you did. I believe that “small changes make big differences” and yes, it is really hard to break old habits. I believe in everything else that you’ve mentioned, and not completely against “juicing” as a way to making those changes. But I do believe that there are other alternatives as mentioned in my blog. Thanks for reading and I genuinely appreciate your feedback.
There is a Reboot Movement happening. Since the documentary hit netflix, more then 100,000 people have joined the reboot site, to learn more about the program. You also mentioned that juicing ‘limits your caloric intake’, by no means is that true. The Mean Green Juice that Joe and Phil drink has 180 calories in a 16oz. glass and it’s filled with vitamins and 12g of protein. He drank 10 or 12 glasses a day under his Dr.’s supervision. Other juice combination that we make have 300 to 400 or more calories. The limit to combinations for juice is up to your imagination. http://jointhereboot.com/reboot-program/recipes/ – please take some time to review the whole program , again it’s not just juice fasting. And YES, people can change their awful eating habits in today’s society.
And may I suggest that ‘Tanya’ actually watch the documentary before voicing her agreement. Thank you, Victoria
dearnutrition… you seem to have lost the entire point of this serious topic.. And by the way there are millions of people throughout history and today who successfully fast, get excellent healing results, and change their lifestyle. Not at all a fad…
If one gains control of ones appetite – they can than control all other aspects whether physical, emotional and spiritual and be in complete domain of themselves. I truly understand now why Jesus went into the wilderness and fasted so that He could fully communicate with Himself, His master and His creation.
”Fasting cures diseases, dries up bodily tumors, puts demons to flight, gets rid of the impure thoughts, makes the mind clear, and the heart pure, and the body sanctified and raises humanity to the throne of God.”
Not many people have that kind of commitment? I beg to differ. Eating this way, juicing, raw food, etc, isn’t nearly as hard as people think it is and once you get the basics figured out it’s FUN and healthy! Why you would pick a topic so profoundly helpful to so many and try (unsuccessfully) to negate it, is beyond me. Irresponsible reporting on a topic you are clearly under-educated on. Maybe you should try it before you “strike back.”
a person lives what they learn–a raw vegan lifestyle speaks of a complete nutrition with enzymes and a body that can do what it was created to do–heal–the Standard American Diet has and is plaguing the world with diet related diseases and yes i believe anyone can change their lifestyle –because of quick fix non thinking or nutritious meals people are just digging their grave with their teeth
Of course people will eat again after the fast.. But because of the fast they’ll be more in tune to what their bodies actually need instead of what they’ve been “trained” to crave. Nothing about this documentary suggests that people should try to live on a fast.
The fast should be used as a way to clear the body of toxins and give it much needed nutrients. The people I know maintain a fabulous diet in between fasting and usually come away with a much better understanding of their dietary needs.
It isn’t always about weight loss either. Not every human being is consumed with dieting. The fast is a way to get back on track nutritionally and feel great.
As far as the caloric intake, you would have to see the amount of food I consume (through juice) a day. I could fill a full size dining table with the food that will go through my juicer in one day.
I think you should research your topic a little more before giving such a negative review.
Thank you – to those who have commented so far – ‘We are Eating to Live – Not Living to Eat. ;o}
I disagree with your opinion on fasting (the title of your blog is a little misleading, since you didn’t really review the movie, so I can’t comment on that) and on the Reboot program. As several others have pointed out, the Reboot is not just about juice-fasting, and even when it is about juice-fasting, it’s about doing so for a limited amount of time. However, lots of people who begin via the Reboot program DO juice-fast for extended periods of their own volition, because they feel so good and energized after going for their initial period. They certainly aren’t starving, or at low-ebb from lack of calories. As Tori mentioned above, juicing can give you lots of calories, depending on what and how often you drink. That goes against your first point. Point 2 – that we will eat again – is true, yet doesn’t prove that the fast didn’t do it’s job. You don’t “reboot” your computer continuously, nor do you “Reboot” forever. For many people, myself included, the Reboot has made me much more conscious of what I’m eating, and has led to a change in my eating lifestyle for the better. This would not have happened if I hadn’t seen the movie, and hadn’t started juicing first. Point 3 – well, sorry, but’s that just sad. You point out the need for realistic, small, long-term changes, and then denigrate one such movement that is doing so much for so many people. We are all making our baby-steps in the way that works for us – there is no one size fits all solution. And those of us in the wellness community (of which I consider myself a recent addition into) need to band together against “the world that obsesses over food. Obesity epidemic, diabetes, heart disease…” and not each other. I hope you check out the Reboot program in more depth and then share your new findings (even if you still disagree) with your readers.
Peace.
It worked for me totaly!
Its part of my lnew heathy life style
No Meds No Pain!
No weight gained back
Feeling 24 at 52!
Sex life back to normal
Everyone like the new Me
And my healthy food is my medicine now !
I think that covers it!
This is obviously written by someone who know nothing about juice fasting. I’ve worked with many patients who have used this wonderful, age-old method to jump start their nutritional recovery. Juicing is easy, it isn’t starving, and as people begin their recovery, start feeling better, have more energy, develop new body awareness, they naturally gravitate to to a healthy, nutritious whole foods plant based diet following their fast. This pathway leads to the reversal or prevention of many common chronic, life-limiting diseases such as heart disease, cancer, strokes, auto-immune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis and MS, diabetes, and importantly the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Congratulations to Joe Cross and his team for leading a movement that helps people return to good health in the company and support of others.
There is so much more to being a great nutritionist than just carrying forward the status quo that you were taught in school. Obviously the status quo isn’t working very well. The typical nutritionist recommends that their patients make modest changes in their diet that are not adequate to create real results. If you want your patients to fully recover, they must be encourage to make dramatic changes in their diet, and that includes the introduction of a whole foods, plant based diet. I would also recommend that you continue your nutritional education under the tutelage of some of the real giants in the industry, such as Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Caldwell Esselstyne, T. Colin Campbell, and John McDougall.