Juice cleanse dos and don'ts?

What can you eat and drink during a juice cleanse, and what is it best to avoid? That’s the question most people ask themselves on the first morning. The answer is simpler than many think, and it starts before the first juice.

We’ll go through what helps and what doesn’t, step by step, from the days beforehand to food, coffee, and exercise during the juice cleanse, right through to breaking the fast. That way, you’ll know each day what’s good for you and what’s just holding you back.

Why you can trust us

• We’ve been making juice cleanses for years and hear every day what questions come up during a juice cleanse.
• We cross-check our tips against expert organizations and current studies. All sources are listed at the end.
• We’ll also tell you when it’s best to stop your juice cleanse.

During your juice cleanse, you can have your juices, water, unsweetened herbal tea, and clear vegetable broth if needed. Avoid solid food, coffee, alcohol, and sweets. Exercise is fine, but keep it gentle.

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends at least 2.5 liters of fluids a day while fasting (DGE, 2018). This also applies during a juice cleanse, although the juices only count toward part of that amount. One important note: a juice cleanse isn’t suitable for everyone. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, if you’re a child, or if you have diabetes or kidney or liver disease, consult a doctor beforehand. Find out more in our article on who a juice cleanse is suitable for.

Coffee, exercise, and sauna during a juice cleanse

Can you drink coffee during a juice cleanse?

It’s best to avoid coffee during a juice cleanse. The DGE recommends giving up caffeine no later than the day before fasting (DGE, 2018). If you stop abruptly, you risk getting headaches. In a study of 100 adults, headaches occurred on 30 percent of days without caffeine, compared with 10 percent of days with coffee (study on caffeine withdrawal, 2026). That’s why you should gradually cut back on coffee beforehand. Read our article on juice cleanse symptoms to find out what helps with headaches, feeling cold, and hunger.

How much exercise is good during a juice cleanse?

During the juice cleanse, your body gets less energy than usual, so postpone competitive sports and long workouts. A 2025 study shows that after a week of water fasting, strength stayed the same, but endurance dropped by around 13 percent (sports study, 2025). Walks, gentle yoga, and stretching are a good fit, according to the health insurance fund for employees. Many people find sauna sessions pleasant; make up for the salt loss with vegetable broth. If you’re not feeling well, our article Stopping or pausing a juice cleanse explains when a break is enough.

Breaking the fast

Traditionally, the fast ends with an apple, eaten slowly and chewed well. After that, get your gut used to solid food again step by step; soups and smoothies are good options. The ÄGHE recommends three days of gradual reintroduction after fasting (ÄGHE, 2025). The DALUMA juice cleanse includes Kombucha in the cleanse plan and a reintroduction program for the days afterward. Our article How to ease back into eating after a juice cleanse explains what those days can look like.

There’s one simple rule during a juice cleanse: juices, water, herbal tea and, if needed, vegetable broth are allowed; solid food, coffee, alcohol and sweets are not. Gentle movement can feel good, as long as you take it easy. The days before and after are just as important, because they determine how easy the cleanse feels. Eating lighter beforehand and cutting back on coffee can make the first few days feel calmer. Easing back into your regular diet afterward helps you hold on to more of that good feeling. And if you don’t feel well during the juice cleanse, taking a break isn’t a failure - it’s a good decision. For beginners, the BESSERE JUICE CLEANSE PLUS for three days is a good fit. With more experience, try the five- or seven-day options.