What’s a Detox Diet?
There are those who believe that detoxification is necessary only to help anyone who is addicted to drugs, or alcohol. They think it’s used to help people break the addiction. Detoxification is still used like that, of course but these days detoxification is increasingly used to improve a person’s health generally. One of the ways this is done is with a so-called detox diet.
If you’re interested in cleaning the body from potentially toxins, you may be tempted to look for a step-by-step plan for the detox diet.
Such plans are available in almost bewildering numbers, but you will find some variations.
Why is that?
The simple answer is that detox diets come in a number of different formats. If you do an internet search with the phrase “detox diet” you will find many such plans. Which one is best for you? Actually, there’s no way to give a simple answer to that.
When choosing a detox diet plan it is important to keep in mind what your goal is for the detoxification. The goal is to expel and rid your body of potentially harmful toxins. Sadly, for most of us, even those who don’t consume alcohol or use drugs, that toxins and chemicals accumulate in your body. To illustrate the point, recent studies show that there is often a lot more than just fluoride in our drinking water.
Since the main goal of detoxification is to cleanse your body. That means it is important to chose your foods wisely. Take a good look at the potentially harmful foods and drinks you are putting into your body. Do you drink coffee and soft drinks? If so you’re taking in caffeine, which is okay, but only in moderation. Keep in mind that caffeine is not something your body actually requires. For that reason, anyone looking to take a detox diet are usually recommended to eliminate coffee or pop from their diet, even if just for the length of the diet. Of course some people just use detox as a way to achieve easy weight loss.
Some people are actually hooked on the taste that caffeine gives. To ease the transition, you could try drinking an all-natural juice. In fact, if you have a juice maker; you can quickly and easily make your own 100% all-natural juices. Most people know that pure water is best for quenching your thirst and helping to detox your body, but if you find yourself craving a drink with flavour, juice may be a good substitute.
To eliminate toxins from the body, they must be expelled from the body. The major channel of elimination is the obvious one. That is why foods that are high in fibre are recommended. A diet that contains fibre foods can help to regulate your digestive system. Of course, this means that you will make regular, although hopefully! not excessive, trips to the bathroom. In addition to eating more fibre, drinking clean water can help you flush your body of the toxins. Don’t overdose on water – surprising as it sounds you can actually drink too much.
Next time you’re shopping for food, read the ingredients label. Count how many of those ingredients you can barely pronounce. They will be the additives and chemicals. Many of the foods we consumed have a lot of additives and chemicals. Although legally approved and generally safe such additives are things our bodies do not need to survive.
That is why detox diets call for the elimination of them. One of the best ways to avoid added chemicals and additives is to eat organic food. Many detox plans emphasise the use of organic foods.
Organic foods are grown without overuse of pesticides and fertilisers. In some cases organic food is grown without any such additives. Great if money isn’t an issue, but what if you are on a budget? It is no secret that organic foods cost more. If you’re like a lot of people you may find that you actually eat less when you eat organic food. It seems that more of the actual nutrition is ‘getting through’ to your body.
Don’t overlook fruits and vegetables. You may find these organic prices to be cheaper, particularly in season. Fruits and vegetables have their own health benefits, of course.
The length of a detox diet varies from one to the other. Some diets last as little as three days, while some can go for two weeks or more. In most cases, seven to ten days is reasonable maximum time, but you will want to listen to your body.
In some cases a detox may be much for your body to handle. Be alert for the warning signs and start incorporating your “traditional” food back into your diet.
If the detox leaves you feeling clearer and healthier, you may want to keep certain elements more permanently, like cutting out caffeine, or eating more organic foods.
You should always consult your doctor or health care professional before starting your detox regimen, or changing your diet. Detox diets are not suitable for everyone.
