Do You Really Need A Detox Diet?
Article by Kert Prika
Want to try a detox diet? Detoxification diets have become more popular recently as people are sick of the constant processed junk foods they eat, the toxic air they breathe and the tainted water they have to filter.
There are many forms of detox diets you can try – from juice fasts to the alkaline diet to a raw foods diet to taking specific herbs and cutting out foods like meat, dairy, wheat and/or processed foods. Many people decide to educate themselves first about their options and then choose a plan that fits in with their current lifestyle and schedule.
There are many reasons you may want to try a detox diet:
#1 To Lose Weight
If you’ve had trouble losing weight with other diets in the past, you may find that a detox diet is just the thing for you. Since toxins tend to be stored in our body fat, the body may resist letting go of these fat stores if you eat an overly toxic diet. But when you eat a cleaner diet, you may find it much easier to lose weight.
#2 To Feel Better and More Energetic
Many people report that (after the first few days) they feel much better on this diet – with more energy and a happier, more up-beat outlook. You may find the initial withdrawal from coffee and processed foods to be a challenge – but it does get easier and you will start to feel more energetic again!
#3 To Improve Health
People who are struggling with health issues like high blood pressure, fatigue, fibromyalgia, etc. may choose to try a detox diet and see if it helps them improve their health.
Note however that if you’re trying a detox diet, it’s best to have a plan to maintain your ‘clean eating’ for the long run. And be sure to check with your doctor before making a change in your diet.
#4 To Give Your System a Break
Detox diets are popular at New Years, after people have indulged in a bit too much wine and sweets. It’s always good to give your body a rest if you’ve overdone it. It will help you feel better, less bloated and back on track.
Overall, detox diets have been reported to help people lose stubborn weight, boost energy, clear skin and even make people look younger. However there are a few things to be aware of with a detox plan – especially if you’re detoxing for more than a few days.
#1 You may not get enough protein.
If you’re just detoxing on fruits and veggies, you run the risk of not getting enough protein. This means your body may have to dip into your own lean muscle mass if you go for more than a few days. This can slow your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight in the future.
#2 You may risk nutritional deficiencies.
Again, this depends on what kind of detox you’re doing. If you’re doing a strict water-only detox or a lemonade detox diet, you’ll be at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies like B vitamins, certain minerals and iron.
#3 You could experience a detox reaction.
If you detox too fast, you run the risk of getting what is called a Herxheimer reaction or ‘die-off’ symptoms as your body dumps toxins faster than your liver and intestines can deal with them. This can manifest in headaches, chills, dizziness and depression.
While some symptoms are manageable, you want to be careful to listen to your body and not go overboard. You can always slow the detox down with some rice or cooked vegetables.
Even some organic oatmeal can help to slow things down without damaging your progress. Just make sure to listen to your body and only do what you can.
So those are some things to be aware of when trying a detox diet. There are many different detoxification diets on the market, with some better than others. Take your time to find one that seems balanced and makes sense to you.
About the Author
Learn more about the lemonade detox now, by visiting this detox diet site today.
Tagged with: detox • diet • need • Really
Filed under: Detox Diet Plans
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