Detox Diets for Weight Loss
Body cleansing or detoxification is as old as the early Roman, Greek and Egyptian empires. It has fallen in and out of favor by health practitioners throughout the years. It appears that detox diets for weight loss have been revived lately in the alternative medicine community. Quite simply, detox diets can consist of treatments or the ingestion of particular foods, which in combinations will rid the body of accumulated harmful substances. These toxins or poisons can adversely affect one’s health.
Detox Diet Treatments
There is no lack of dietary alterations to rid the body of contaminants.
Treatments range from physical procedures such as, cleansing of the colon,
a change in diet (e.g. avoidance of certain foods) or supplements. Some
variations involve the use of herbal supplements, which supposedly accelerate
the effectiveness of the cleansing process. Some of the preparations by
naturopathic or homeopathic professionals target specific organs (e.g.
an increase in fiber for colon cleansing or ingestion of liquid preparations
for the kidneys).
The Typical Detox Diet
Detox diets for weight loss typically require the intake of foods that
portend to have cleansing properties for all systems of the body. Most
detox diets suggest that water, vegetables and/or fruits compose the bulk
of the food intake. Limiting yourself to organic or natural food is preferred,
and avoiding genetically modified foods is advocated. You should refrain
from foods like caffeinated beverages, alcohol drinks, canned foods, sugar,
salt, beef, pork, fried foods, processed cheeses, oil spreads, and dairy
products including cream or cream substitutes. The emphasis should be
on consuming unaltered foods such as fresh fruits and fresh vegetables,
and protein-rich foods such as legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, vegetable oils,
herbs and herbal tea. You may liquefy these foods for two meals a day,
if you choose. Water is especially important – drinking 6 to 8 glasses
of purified water with or without lemon juice each day is recommended.
This particular cleansing diet is one of the more nutritionally sound of the detox diets for weight loss. Those who endorse this type of detoxification, emphasize that it should be practiced no longer than 28 days. By getting rid of your body’s impurities, it is possible to jump-start your metabolism to prepare for a longer-term, nutritionally adequate eating plan.
The role of regular exercise during detoxification should be based on an individual’s level of tolerance. Since the detox diet consists of a low caloric, nutritionally-limited choice of foods, the system typically has less energy to expend. When it comes to weight-loss, the fewer calories you take in and the more physical activity you do determines how many pounds and inches you will lose.
On a detox diet, you may experience from minor side effects, such as a decrease in energy, lightheadedness and slower thought process, to more serious problems such as extreme headaches, insomnia, lethargy and loss of appetite.
Recommendations
Not all detox diets for weight loss are nutritionally-sound, and therefore
extreme caution is advised before starting any diet program. You should
have a complete physical examination by a medical specialist prior to
adopting any diet or exercise program. Choose your detoxification regimen
very carefully and discuss it with a nutritionist or your physician -
you may be required to take a vitamin supplement. Have a plan in place
for support and monitoring. Never skip meals entirely, and drink the recommended
amount of water. Above all, know your body and what is “right”
for you.
Written by: Carol C. is an registered nurse with experience in many areas of nursing who specializes in mental health and addictions. Her articles allow her the opportunity to share her knowledge and expertise on many health subjects.