A fruit and vegetable fast can be helpful for detoxifying your body. When participating in a fast, the kinds of fruits and vegetables you incorporate into your diet must be varied in order to meet your dietary needs. A fruit and vegetable fast can get you on the right track toward meeting your health and fitness goals provided that you've created a healthy menu.

A diet containing a rich supply of vegetables promises a number of considerable health gains, including a lowered risk of heart disease. When fasting, include green leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and mustard greens in your diet as they are rich in minerals, like iron. Also be sure to incorporate a variety of cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale, into your menu. Brightly colored vegetables, like tomatoes, are rich in carotenoids which can help prevent various cancers. Eat as many different kinds of vegetables as possible to receive all of the different vitamins, minerals and nutrients that they provide.

Most fruits are high in many of the essential vitamins your body needs. Fruits that are rich in nutrients while having a relatively low fructose content include strawberries, green apples, grapefruit, oranges, papaya, blackberries, guava, cantaloupes and cranberries. These fruits also tend to be very high in antioxidants, which help slow the signs of aging and protect the body against potentially dangerous carcinogens.

While fruits and vegetables are generally healthy for you, some may contain high amounts of sugar, fat and calories, and therefore should be consumed in moderation. High-sugar fruits include bananas, grapes, dried fruits, dates, and canned and processed fruits. Coconuts are high in both fat and sugar. Avocados have a number of nutritious and protective nutrients in them, but are also high in fats and calories, and thus should be eaten in moderation.

When participating in a fast, drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. Water is necessary for the performance of all of the body's biological processes, including the transportation of nutrients to your cells; therefore, staying properly hydrated is a crucial part of safeguarding your overall health and well-being. Furthermore, the consumption of plenty of water will help support your fruit and vegetable fast as it serves to flush out toxins that may be harmful to the body.

Plan out your meals beforehand to help you complete your fast. For breakfast, try preparing a fruit or green vegetable smoothie with a few cups of fresh fruit or vegetables, ice and water. Snack on fresh fruits like apples, oranges, pears or grapefruits in between meals. For lunch and/or dinner, prepare a fresh green salad with chopped celery, a half a slice of avocado, fresh mandarin oranges, cranberries, tomatoes, red or green bell peppers, and any of your favorite vegetables. Enjoy a banana for dessert.