A detox diet is essentially a short term diet lasting anywhere from about three days on up to twenty one with the average lasting seven days. If you are considering this or any other diet, be sure to talk with your doctor first to be sure it is safe for you to embark on that journey. In a nutshell, a detox diet is aimed at removing toxins from your body. Detox is an ongoing process that takes place naturally although things such as stress for one can hinder it from thoroughly removing all the toxins it should.
Before doing a detox diet there are certain things you can either cut back on or give up entirely, which will help your body become healthier. Some of the more obvious ones are alcohol, cigars and cigarettes, coffee, excess sugar and saturated fats. The main goal of a detox diet is to help our bodies avoid allergens, get rid of headaches, improve concentration and moods, increase energy levels, prevent premature aging and regain our bodies’ natural abilities to ward off colds and flu. They are also meant to clear out obstacles to our health thus allowing our bodies to run more efficiently.
There are various types of detox diets and the following are popular.
- Commercial cleanse programs. These are specially formulated ones and include nutrients, vitamins and protein powder and are seen in such names as the acai cleanse for one example.
- Juice only cleanses. This allows water and fresh fruits and vegetables juices only. Beet juice is one example.
- Smoothie cleanses. This allows blended or pureed fruits and vegetable smoothies with an emphasis on green smoothies.
- The master cleanses. This also goes by the name of lemonade cleanses which allows cayenne pepper, grade B maple syrup and of course, lemonade.
Some people like to do a complete fast for detoxifying where they limit themselves to just drinking purified water. This is one where a doctor’s recommendation is very important especially concerning the length of the fast. Some like to pick a certain day each week for a complete fast but again your doctor’s input is critical when you are planning on going without any foods or liquids except for water.
Detox doesn’t have to always be about your diet. Other types of detox can include things like sitting in a sauna or steam room or sweating out impurities with a strenuous enough form of exercise to get you sweating. How about detoxing your body and mind by slowing down, taking in long deep breaths and giving your brain a break? Let go of all those worrisome thoughts racing through your mind if even for a few minutes or more each day.
