The Detox Diet: Losing Weight the Natural Way

        If you prefer the natural way of life—organic foods, home-grown vegetables, and fishing for yourself—the detox diet may be just what you’re looking for.  This diet plan is designed to rid the body of any toxic materials.  Because of the numerous chemicals that exist in our world, a number of individuals say a detox diet is necessary for good health in the long-term.  With the detox diet, the body rids itself of toxins through the skin and lungs.  The diet may be accompanied by other holistic health techniques, such as the administration of nutritional supplements, hydrotherapy, and physical activity.  

        How, exactly, does the body become contaminated by toxins?  The contamination can occur as a result of food additives, mercury, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.   Through the process of digestion, the body takes in the toxins.  In addition to promoting weight loss, a detox diet can help heal migraines, stomach trouble, colds, and joint pain.  It may also be effective against heart disease and arthritis.

       You should not start a detox diet without talking to your health care provider.  It may be that you are suffering from symptoms such as pain or fatigue because you have a serious illness that must be treated.  In such a case, the detox diet alone may not be enough to cure what is ailing you.

       A detox diet may not always be appropriate.  But if you believe you have ingested a great deal of chemicals and you find yourself fatigued, the detox diet may be beneficial for your overall health and well-being.   Detox diet enthusiasts say it should be followed at least twice a year in order to improve one’s health.    If you suffer from a specific disease, however, you may need to maintain the program for a protracted period of time.  

        You may notice immediate results from your detox diet.  These results can include enhanced energy, better skin, easier digestion, and clearer thinking.   Once your detox diet is complete, you should attempt to replenish your body with nutrients in order to, in effect, “build your body” back up.

       However, there are certain individuals who do not make good candidates for a detox diet.  These include heart disease patients, cancer patients, and kidney disease patients.   And, while a detox diet can cleanse your body, it should not be considered a substitute for your ordinary medication.  In fact, you should never stop taking medication without talking to your physician first. 

         It should be noted that there are side-effects that have been associated with the detox diet.  These include migraines, skin problems, or fatigue.  Usually, however, these side-effects disappear in time.  As a result, a number of people actually use their vacation time in order to engage in detox so that their work will not be compromised.

       You’ll be happy to know that there are a number of foods you can indulge in while on a detox diet.  These include fruits, vegetables, rice, chickpeas, fish, oil, and herbal tea.  While following the detox diet, you’ll also need to drink eight glasses of water in order to eliminate waste from the blood.  However, you should not drink immediately before or after your meals.  You should also make sure that you chew your food thoroughly in order to promote proper digestion.

      However, there are also a number of foods that you will have to give up.  These include sugar, milk, eggs, wheat products, gluten, and caffeine-filled beverages.   You must also avoid foods with preservatives, yeast, chocolate, and anything that is high in fat.

       Is it possible to lose weight with the detox diet?  Most definitely.  But you could have a difficult time keeping the weight off since you will eventually have to go off of the diet.  However, it is possible that some of the dietary guidelines that you observe while detoxing will continue long after the diet is over.  Also, just giving up alcohol will ensure that you will lose weight.  For instance, you may find that you simply lose your taste for food high in fat content.   Nevertheless, the detox diet can be quite challenging—especially if you are emotionally attached to the foods that are banned.   Yet, in time, you may decide that going on the detox diet was the best move you ever made.   Related Topics

Your Weight Loss & Fitness Expert