Guide to Detox Diet, Key to a Healthy Lifestyle. Read more to know if you need one!
What is Detox Diet?
Detox, short for detoxification, is the body’s natural, on-going process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body.
However, since the body is unable to absorb most harmful toxins, it accumulates thus making it harmful to our overall well-being.
That is why it is advised to go on a detox diet so that toxins can be chemically changed into less harmful compounds and flushed out of the body through stools or urine.
This method requires taking in certain food and drinks to get rid of toxins from the body.
These diets may vary in forms and the food selections are usually very strict. On the other hand, some are more lenient, and in certain cases drugs are also prescribed to assist in the detoxification.
So you may be required to drink lots of liquid or to eat food rich in fiber, some may even use vitamins, minerals, and medicinal plants.
Is it Really Useful?
While there are no studies which prove for sure the effectiveness of detox diets, it wouldn’t hurt to try especially if you eat a high fat and sugar diet, smoke, drink or take drugs. If you are not into these vices but experience aches, fatigue, irritability, skin problems and stress, this could help.
Detoxification is good for the body if done properly and with professional guidance. It is highly recommended that a person who wishes to undertake detox diet must first consult a physician or dietitian.
This is because detoxification may be harmful to the body if not conducted properly. Sometimes the misuse of a detox diet may produce certain diseases or even malnutrition. But with the proper guidance, detox diet can make a body healthier and stronger.
When a body is detoxified, the toxins are removed from the body through the urine or the stools. When there are less toxins in the body, blood circulation gets better, respiration is stronger, stamina is improved, stress is decreased, and the person himself will feel better.
But the most popular reason why people go for a detox diet is that it is the quickest and safest way to lose weight.
Diet Composition
Most detox diets comprise of only fruits, vegetables, and water. Since this sort of diet is very strict, meat, dairy, alcohol, and bread are strictly to be avoided.
This allows the body to absorb less calories and carbohydrates. Detoxification also produces the effect of lessening harmful substances in the body like fat and cholesterol.
Done for Shorter Periods
Since a detox diet is very strict, it is highly advisable that it only be used for a short period of time. Detox diets are regularly short-term only and this sort of diet is not recommended to be done for a long period of time because it could cause malnutrition.
A detox diet is usually low in protein and carbohydrates and without these, muscle growth and energy is easily diminished.
So, detox diets must only be used for a short-term basis.
After following a detox diet many people report having “more energy and losing weight quickly” and given that the diet is so restrictive, it is not really surprising if you lose a few pounds.
Is It a Weight Management Solution?
Not Really!
Following the detox program will not teach you anything about basic weight management strategies such as portion control or a healthy meal pattern.
As a result most people gain weight again and feel just as sluggish as usual once they stop the diet and return to their old eating habits.
The real reason that detox diets work in the short-term is because people make a special effort to change their eating habits for a few days.
Should You Go For a Detox Diet?
People who have never tried a detox diet before may not enjoy it initially and also may feel feverish,
get headaches, feel fatigue, irritability, and other body pains, which is quite normal (as per most medical experts) since the toxins inside are released. But if you are able to make it through the program, these toxins will be flushed out leaving you with healthier looking skin, and a more nourished body.
Not everyone can go on a detox diet however.
These include people are who pregnant, children, those who have been diagnosed with cancer and other diseases. It is best that you consult your doctor before starting such a fitness program.
You can always depend on your livers and kidneys, which is the normal way the human body tries to eliminate these harmful toxins. But if your kidneys and liver are not functioning at normal levels, this is one alternative you could try.
Here’s a video showing how to go on a Super Juice Detox Diet:
Juice cleanse for detox, flush the body of toxins
Best Juice Cleanses for natural and organic method of detoxifying and healing. Keeps you healthy and energized.
What Does a Juice Cleanse Do?
- Juice cleansing is a “detox” diet
- It can last from a few days to several weeks
- When on juice cleansing diet, you consume only fruit and vegetable juices and abstain from eating food.
- Juice cleanses improve health, mood, and appearance.
Some of the benefits of juicing include:
Increased energy levels . Improved digestive function . Improved immune system . Better sleep . Balanced PH Levels . Clear complexion . Lower blood pressure . Balancing of blood sugar levels . Cleanses your colon.
When to do it?
Juice cleanses are best post holidays, log weekends, festive seasons, when you over indulge in unhealthy foods and alcohol.
Its also recommended for brides-to-be, since they are also a quick way to slim down.
How to do it?
The “healthiest” juice cleanses combine juices from a variety of sources: fruits, veggies, nuts, and so on.
Review of the best juice cleanses:
- Blueprint Cleanse:
- Life Juice Shop:
- The Juice Press:
- LOVE Deep from Organic Avenue:
- Juice to You:
- Cooler Cleanse:
- Can Can:
- Living Greens:
- iZO:
- Red Carpet Cleanse:
Source: brit.co
Dietitians, and doctors however are less enthusiastic about juice cleanses, many regard detox diets as less effective than fasting with water, and, therefore, a waste of money.
“They’re not a healthy choice, and serve no purpose. Your body is perfectly capable of detoxing itself. That’s what your liver and kidneys are for,” says a doctor.
Having said that, even if you decide to do one anyway, its recommended that you check with your doctor before embarking on a ‘juice cleanse’ program.
Another thing to note – You cannot just drink any juice from anywhere around town.
To Conclude
As you grow older, you should always watch what you eat and drink. It’s also important to combine a healthy diet with exercise. What makes the detox diet different from other programs around is that this is only for the short term. After a few days, you need to go back to your normal routine since you will not be able to get all the nutrients you need (especially calcium and protein) from this diet program. It means harmful toxins will build up again, so you need to do this frequently.
Most experts suggest doing this twice a year or once every six months as this program is not really for weight loss, but for elimination of harmful substances. However, if you want to do this frequently, Fridays would be the best day of the week as you can rest over the weekends. You can be more relaxed, be away from temptations, and there will be people around who support your decision.
However, this program teaches you the importance of moderation and also makes you aware that changes need to be made to your overall lifestyle, even if they do not happen overnight. Also remember that the detox diet is not the only option you have to improve your lifestyle.
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