Introduction To Detox Diets Foods And Plans

By James Spann


Detox diets are meant to cleanse the body of harmful toxins and other contaminants. The diet enhances bodily functions and leads to better physical and mental health and fitness. Obviously, this holds true under the assumption that the diet will work as intended. But there's no guarantee, and it's most certainly not going to be easy.

This detoxification process is quite simple, since the aim is to deny the body harmful foods and beverages it has become accustomed to. For example, those who are addicted to junk food for breakfast or lunch may be required to replace it with salads. Those who wouldn't be harmed by adding on a few pounds may get a diet that calls for protein-rich full meals with whole grains that need little or no processing.

Others addicted to beer or carbonated soft drinks filled with sugar may be denied these beverages. The drinks they can take will be limited to a healthy selection such as fruit juices and vegetable smoothies with no artificial flavoring or additives. In extreme cases, the best way to detoxify heavy drinkers who are already overweight is to make sure they drink nothing but plain water or coconut water.

A diet like this doesn't follow a specific formula. The dietitian must decide what to do after looking at the individual facts of each case. Since it's not an established science, success is not guaranteed and neither is there a book of guidelines to be followed. The results usually depend on the dietitian's competence and the patient's willpower.

For instance, one plan that is often used is a three day juice fast. The patient is not allowed to eat anything, and the only nutrition intake comes from fruit juices. Similarly, a seven day diet is comprised largely of unprocessed foods including fruits, green vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and nuts. Some patients who do not have a weight problem may also get to eat fish.

No matter what the duration or type, all detox diets have a few things in common. For instance, fried foods and dairy products are always excluded. Sugar is also eliminated, and so are most foods that contain a lot of sugar. Another common exclusion is for processed foods containing harmful additives, artificial flavoring and preservatives.

The reverse is also true, with some foods considered as essential ingredients for effective detoxification. These are items that contain inordinately high amounts of essential fatty acids, antioxidants and other such things that actually speed up the detox process. Garlic in powdered or paste form is one such item, since it goes well with other foods in the diet. The sulfur compounds released into the body through garlic intake helps the get rid of toxins much faster.

Almost all detox diets also include lemons which are packed with Vitamin C that helps the body prevent a buildup of toxins. Apples likewise contain glucaric acid which helps keep the liver clear of toxins, steroids and carcinogens. All food that's directly provided by nature similarly has some specific nutritional value, and it's up to the dietitian to pick a selection that helps the patient detoxify quickly.




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