How to Do an Apple Cleansing Fast

Co-authored by Lyssandra Guerra

Last Updated: November 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Fasting has been practiced by people over the course of history for a number of reasons. Some people fast for religious reasons, some for health benefits, and others believe that it has a detoxifying effect on the body. One method of fasting that people enjoy is the apple fast. It is believed that the apple fast can help remove toxins from the body and improve overall health. Although these claims are largely unproven the apple fast can still make you feel healthier and detoxified.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Starting The Cleanse

Download Article

1
Talk with your doctor. Fasting can bring health benefits and some believe that apple fasting can be a particularly good option. However, before you begin any fast you will need to consult with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you are able to safely undergo your fast. Check with your doctor before beginning your fast to make sure it's a good fit for you.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}
- Detox diets can make you feel better but the direct cause is unknown. It is believe that simply avoiding unhealthy or processed foods may be responsible.
- Fasting can bring side effects such as fatigue or vitamin deficiency.
2
Learn what benefits fasting can bring with it. Fasting has been shown to produce many beneficial effects on the body. While most fasting requires you to only drink water some believe that apple fasts can also carry health benefits. Look over some of the possible benefits of fasting to get a better understanding of what you can expect from the process:^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source}
- Increased cardiovascular health.
- Weight loss
- Prevention of type 2 diabetes.
- Animal testing has shown a boost to longevity.
EXPERT TIP

Lyssandra Guerra
Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant
Lyssandra Guerra is a Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant and the Founder of Native Palms Nutrition based in Oakland, California. She has over five years of nutrition coaching experience and specializes in providing support to overcome digestive issues, food sensitivities, sugar cravings, and other related dilemmas. She received her holistic nutrition certification from the Bauman College: Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts in 2014.

Lyssandra Guerra
Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant

Our Expert Agrees: Fasting has a number of metabolic benefits, as it helps manage your blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol. In addition, fasting can help lower your insulin and balance your blood sugar levels, which helps your body burn fat for fuel.

Advertisement
3
Get the best kind of apples. Different types of apples will offer different types of nutrition and health benefits. Before you start you will want to look for some healthier types of apples so that you can get the most out of your apple fast. Keep some of the following information in mind when shopping for your apples:^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Organic apples won't contain pesticides and in many cases additives are forbidden.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  HelpGuide
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
  
  Go to source}
- Granny smith, liberty, red delicious, honeycrisp, and braeburn are all good choices for apples that contain high levels of nutrients.
- Some apples such as Golden Delicious have high levels of sugar.
4
Avoid eating a large meal before starting the fast. Although it may be tempting to eat one last giant meal before starting your fast it can actually hurt your efforts. Slowly reduce the amount of food you are eating as you enter into the fast to make it easier on your body.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Try to eat light, healthy meals three days before the fast.
- Avoid eating heavy foods or large meals before the fast.
5
Start your fast. During the fast you are allowed to consume as many apples as you would like. It is recommend by some that you should eat apples whenever you are hungry, without concern for how many you are consuming. So long as you are eating only apples and drinking water you are properly apple fasting.
- Eat only apples during your three day apple fast.
- You may also drink warm water during the fast.
- Some believe that drinking apple cider or apple juice are acceptable so long as they have no sugar added.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Returning To Your Normal Diet

Download Article

1
Gradually return to your normal diet. You won't want to suddenly resume your normal diet after your apple fast. The day you are ready to resume your normal diet, slowly add different foods throughout the day to allow your body to adjust once again to your regular diet.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Try adding some other fruit to your breakfast.
- Salads can be a good lunch item when returning to your normal diet.
- Finish the day off with a light dinner, avoiding any heavy or unhealthy foods.
2
Resume your normal diet. After your fast, having focused on what you have been eating you can return to your normal diet. However, you may still wish to pay careful attention to what and how much you are eating in order to still enjoy the benefits that a healthy diet can bring.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source

FamilyDoctor.org
Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors

Go to source}
- Keep paying attention to what you are eating and drinking.
- Avoid overeating after your fast even if you are feeling hungry.
3
Return to the fast if you like. Occasional fasting can bring with it many health benefits. Some believe that these health benefits can be brought on by occasionally employing the apple fast as well. Consider setting aside time in the near future that you can return to your apple fast in order to continue enjoying the benefits that this diet is thought to bring with it.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source}
- Intermittent fasting can bring health benefits with it.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Talk with your doctor before beginning any fast.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Eat only apples during the three day apple fast.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Ease into your fast by eating light meals and reducing the amount you are consuming.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Fasting can have side effects including lethargy and loss of vitamin and minerals in the body.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Detox diets and apple fasting have not been scientifically proven to work or be safe.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0