By Dakota Tara Rose
Last week, I found myself feeling craving a much-needed reset, which led me to try Nekter’s one-day juice cleanse. I had heard of juice cleanses before and had even witnessed my friends and family do them, but I had never felt brave enough to try one myself. I’ll admit I was a little intimidated by the idea of a three- or even six-day juice cleanse – two popular options for digestive resets, making Nekter’s one-day option the perfect starting point to begin my juice cleanse journey.
Nekter Juice Bar is located in Snyder Plaza, a convenient ten-minute walk from campus. While Nekter largely recognized for its smoothies, you can also find a variety of juice cleanse kits in their grab-and-go section. The one-day kit, or “classic detox,” consists of six pre-bottled juices, starting with a detoxifying celery juice. Throughout the day, you drink four other juices, ranging from more traditional green juices to citrus refreshers, all packed with a number of benefits. The juices within the kit are specifically designed to cleanse your system, improve your digestion, and boost your metabolism. To end the day, the “classic detox” cleanse includes a superfood protein shake meant to soothe your stomach and improve digestion while you sleep. My personal favorite was the second juice of the day: a turmeric, citrus, and camu-camu “skinny lemonade” packed with vitamin C! Its’ refreshing citrus and rich turmeric flavors reminded me of drinking orange juice with breakfast as a little girl, but without all the added sugars.
The juices come in a reusable mini cooler bag, making it easy to keep them fresh for those seeking a cleanse that they can incorporate into their busy lifestyle. Additionally, the juices are each labeled one through six, making it clear what to drink and when. The Nekter staff was also very helpful, providing thorough answers to my questions and putting any concerns I had at ease. They suggested following the regimen exactly, with the exception of eating a handful of raw, unsalted nuts if I felt too hungry. Like the ingredients in Nekter juices, nuts are whole foods, yet they provide more sustenance than juices alone. Unlike some other cleanses, Nekter also provides a protein-packed protein shake to enjoy at the end of the day. The shake is included to ensure you feel energized the next morning while still giving your digestive system a break.
After my cleanse, I felt energized, my digestion felt more on track, and that feeling of toxicity dissipated. Now, when I am not cleansing, I love to visit Nekter for fresh-pressed juice to start my day on a healthy note. “The Greenie,” a green juice is suprisingly sweet, with the help of apple, Spirulina and celery,and is my favorite jucie to begin the day! All in all, I no longer fear the idea of a juice cleanse and would definitely try it again.
Cover graphic by Mari Sato
