Detox Diets

There are those who believe that detoxification is only needed to help anyone who is addicted to drugs, or alcohol. They think it’s used to overcome the addiction. Detoxification often is still used in such cases, but these days detoxification is increasingly used to improve 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.

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. So, which is best for you? Actually, there isn’t a easy answer to that.

When choosing a detox diet plan it is useful to remember what your goal is for the detoxification. The primary goal is to expel and rid your body of toxins. It’s a fact of life now that for most of us, even those who do not drink alcohol or use drugs, that toxins and chemicals build up in your body. Just to underscore the point, recent studies have shown that there is often a lot more than just fluoride in our drinking water.

Since the main goal of a detox is to cleanse your body and make it pure again. That means it’s important to chose your foods carefully. Take a good look at the potentially harmful foods and drinks you are eating and drinking. 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 actually needs. 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 make it easier to give up caffeine, 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 craving something 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 helps to regulate your digestive system. Essentially, this means that you will probably make regular, although 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.

When you’re next out food shopping, 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 eat 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 buy organic food. Many detox plans call for 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 detox 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.

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 you do well on the intitial detox you may decide to keep up with components of it more permanently, like cutting out caffeine, or eating more organic foods.

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