What’s a Detox Diet?

There are those who believe that detoxification is only needed to help anyone who is dependent on drugs, or alcohol. They think it’s employed to overcome 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 cleansing the body from potentially harmful chemicals and toxins, you may be tempted to look for a step-by-step plan for the detox diet.

Many such plans are available , but you will find some variations.

Why?

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 different plans. Which one is best for you? Actually, there isn’t a way to give a simple answer to that.

When choosing a detox diet plan it is useful to keep in mind the goal for the detoxification. That goal is to expel and rid your body of potentially harmful toxins. It’s a fact of life now that for most of us, even those who don’t consume alcohol or use drugs, that toxins and chemicals build up in your body. To illustrate the point, recent studies have shown that there is often a lot more than just fluoride in our tap water.

The main goal of a detox is to cleanse your body. That means it is important to chose your foods wisely. Take a good look at the types of potentially harmful foods and drinks you are putting into your body. Do you drink coffee and pop? In that case you’re taking in caffeine, which is okay, but only in moderation. Keep in mind that caffeine is not something your body requires. For that reason alone it’s worth limiting, or eliminating caffeine at least for the length of the detox. 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 it’s worth thinking about getting your own juice maker; you can quickly and easily make your own 100% all-natural juices. Pure water is best for quenching your thirst and helping to detox your body, but if you find yourself needing something with flavour, juice may be the perfect 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 helps to regulate your digestive system. Of course, this means that you will probably 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, believe it or not.

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 added 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 way 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? Organic food generally costs more money. 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 few as three days, while others can go for two weeks or more. Usually, seven to ten days is reasonable maximum time, but you should pay attention 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 increasing the percentage of organic food you eat.

You should always consult your doctor before embarking on a detox regimen, or changing your diet. Detox diets are not always suitable for everyone.

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