Should You Add Protein to the 7-Day Healthy Cleanse?
One of the most common questions I get is, “Should I add protein to the cleanse?”
My answer is: for most people, no.
The gold standard version of the cleanse is seven days without animal protein or dairy. However, there are a few situations where adding protein may be beneficial.
The 7-Day Healthy Cleanse was intentionally designed around fruits, vegetables, and plant-based nutrition. For seven days, we temporarily eliminate animal protein and dairy because protein takes longer to digest than fruits and vegetables.
Normally, that’s a good thing. Protein helps us stay full, supports healthy blood sugar levels, and helps maintain muscle. But during the cleanse, the goal is different. The goal is to simplify, increase fruits and vegetables, support healthy digestion, and give your body a short break from heavier foods.
That’s why I consider the gold standard version of the cleanse to be seven days without animal protein or dairy.
Many people are surprised by how good they feel after just one week of focusing on fruits and vegetables. They often notice less bloating, better digestion, increased energy, and a renewed appreciation for simple, whole foods.
Who Might Benefit from Adding Protein?
While I generally encourage people to follow the cleanse as designed, there are some situations where adding protein may make sense.
I often recommend considering a modified cleanse if you are:
- Over age 65 and focused on maintaining muscle mass
- Taking a GLP-1 medication
- Very active or exercising intensely
- Transitioning from a recent cleanse into a maintenance plan
If you fall into one of these categories, I typically recommend keeping protein lean and simple, don’t over do it. A high protein smoothie in the morning and a serving of lean protein at lunch should be fine.
Good options include:
- Life Shake & Collagen in Smoothie
- Fish
- Chicken breast
- Turkey breast
- Tofu
- Edamame
Don’t forget, vegetables have protein too focus on green peas, broccoli, spinach. Nutritional yeast is cleanse approved and has good protein.
Will You Lose Less Weight if you add high protein foods?
Some, but maybe not as much.
One reason people often see significant results during the cleanse is that fruits and vegetables are naturally lower in calories and move through the digestive system more quickly than protein-rich foods.
When you add protein, digestion slows somewhat, which means your weight-loss results may not be quite as dramatic during the seven days. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
For some people, preserving muscle mass and meeting protein needs is more important than maximizing short-term weight loss.
Why I Still Love the Cleanse
The cleanse isn’t about deprivation. It’s about creating awareness.
It’s a chance to eat more vegetables, increase fiber, reduce processed foods, simplify your choices, and reconnect with healthy habits. It can be a powerful reset after a season of stress, travel, overeating, or simply feeling off track.
Whether you choose the gold standard cleanse or a modified version with lean protein, my goal is the same: to help you build habits that support your health long after the seven days are over.