Detox Diet Basics: What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You
If you’ve ever heard the term “detox diet,” you may have wondered if this was something you should incorporate into you weight loss, weight management, or health maintenance routine. Before you can make that decision, however, you must first understand the basics of detox dieting. Because what you don’t know, could hurt you.
The Detox Diet Explanation
The main purpose of a detox diet is to help your body eliminate stored toxins. What, exactly, are toxins? These are substances like preservatives, pesticides, heavy metals, and your own waste products that the body has been unable to eliminate.
There are many ways to approach detoxification dieting and each approach requires the dieter to undergo lifestyle or dietary changes for a period of time. Detox diet tactics include:
- Water or juice fasting
- Food combining for optimal digestion
- Calorie restriction/elimination of specific foods
- Herbal supplements to assist the body in detoxifying
If you’re thinking about trying a detox diet, there are a number of things you should consider first.
Timing: The process of detoxifying the body usually makes you feel worse before you feel better. That’s why it’s important to time your detox wisely. Don’t embark on a major body cleansing program if you’re working 10 hours a day, six days a week or are going through a major life change like a death in the family, a divorce, or a home move. Instead, try to time your detox around a long weekend or quiet time of the month.
Research: Do your research about specific diet options to ensure that you are prepared to make the commitment and sacrifices outlined in the program you choose. If you decide to try a live juice fast, for example, can you truly afford to buy the organic raw produce required to make your own live juices several times a day? Or would it be easier to detoxify using herbal nutritional supplements while eliminating specific food groups?
Side Effects: Detox diets are designed to cleanse your body while giving your digestive and elimination systems a “break” from their daily routine. Because of this, a detox diet will probably leave you feeling extremely hungry and low on energy, especially during the first day or two. Headaches, irritability, and insomnia are common side effects as your body begins to eliminate the toxic waste it has accumulated. The good news is, these rather negative effects are only temporary, and when they are gone, they’ll be replaced with feelings of lightness, well being and increased energy.
Start Slow: If you’re new to cleansing diets and detoxification, consider choosing an option that lasts only a day or two your first time around to see how your body handles the process. If things go well, your next detox diet could be a longer program that is designed to produce more dramatic results.
Consult Your Physician. Detox diets are a shock to you’re a system and should always be preceded by a visit to your doctor to ensure that you’re healthy enough for the diet you choose. You doctor may be able to suggest a detox diet that is safe for your system and will support your current state of health.
Defining Your Detox Diet Goals
One more aspect of detoxification that should be considered before beginning is: What are your goals around a detox diet? Do you want to lose weight? Have more energy? De-bloat after a vacation? Or maybe this is your first step toward a more natural lifestyle. These are all common - and valid - reasons to consider a detoxification diet. Answering honestly will help you discover which diet will help you realize your goals.
It’s important to be realistic in your expectations around a detox diet - a five-day juice fast, for instance, won’t make up for 15 years of yo-yo dieting or erradic exercise habits. Education, preparation, and commitment are your best tools for success. Research your choices, understand the side effects, create your goals and make sure that, whatever detox diet you choose, you’re supporting better health rather than putting yourself at risk.
