How to begin a Detox Diet ?

Detox diets have been very popular. Modern lifestyle, pollution, wrong eating habits, over indulgence and processed/ junk food often clog our digestive system. The detox diet is generally a short-term dietary intervention designed to eliminate toxins from your body.

It is normally a period of fasting, followed by a strict diet of fruit, vegetables, fruit juices and water. Sometimes a detox also includes herbs, green tea, vegetable juices, lemon water, Aloe Vera  and green smoothies.

The aim is to

• Rest your digestive system and organs with light food

• Stimulate your liver to get rid of toxins

• Promote toxin elimination through feces, urine, and sweat

• Provide your body with healthy nutrients

The idea of fasting has been a part of our culture and a religious an seasonal observances.

• Fasting for 1–3 days.

• Drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, water, and tea.

• Drinking only specific liquids, such as salted water or lemon juice.

• Eliminating foods high in heavy metals, contaminants, and allergens.

• Taking supplements or herbs.

• Avoiding all allergenic foods, then slowly reintroducing them.

• Using laxatives, colon cleanses, or enemas.

When you are embarking on a weight loss journey, a detox diet can help you lose weight quickly. But remember some of it also maybe because of loss of fluid and carbs stores rather than fat.

As the detox diet involves calorie restriction, it will most certainly cause weight loss. But remember to top it up with regular exercise and a another diet chart, so as not to regain the weight back.

Benefits of a Detox diet

1)This diet significantly reduced body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, and circulating leptin

2) Improve mental state

Detox diets help in improving any individual’s mental state. In addition to that, these diets also help in delaying or decrease the visible signs of aging

3) Promotes mindful eating

If you are into emotional eating and binge eating then your relationship with food is faulty. Detox diet helps you become extremely aware of what you are putting inside your body.

Therefore, the idea of a detox builds a healthier lifestyle. You begin to appreciate your body more than ever. You become cautious about what you eat as you know what effect it has on your body.

How to begin a detox diet?

• The first thing to do before starting is to consult a nutritionist or a doctor. If you are suffering from Blood Pressure, Diabetes or any other lifestyle disease then it should not have a detrimental effect on your health.

• You can have soups and salads for lunch and dinner. But be prepared to give up stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco. Replace them with lemon water, infused or herbal tea, or simply water.

• Choose a type of detox diet that suits you the best. The diet varies from person to person based on their physique and general calorie intake.

• Removal of toxins can cause symptoms like nausea, headaches, and vomiting, which are temporary and occur in the initial stages.

• Plan your detox such that you don’t completely stop eating solid food. This is because; a pure detox diet does not contain carbohydrates or proteins which your body needs. So, make sure that you are getting enough nutrition but in a healthier way.

• Prepare for headaches, tiredness, and nausea, which usually occur in the initial stages.

• Avoid extreme form of exercise during a detox. Your body has a decreased calorie intake, so, exercising is not beneficial during the course of this diet. It can cause tiredness and fatigue.

• You can definitely consume fruit and vegetables if you are looking to improve gut health as such foods contain fiber.

• After the detox is over, and if you have not consumed solid foods during the course, ensure that you re-introduce it slowly but surely.