A detox diet doesn't have to be complicated or expensive to be effective. Eliminating toxins, chemicals and pollutants that build up in your body from food, stimulants or environmental exposure may help prevent illness and disease. One theory behind a detox diet is that using less energy for digestion will leave more energy for the body to heal itself.
The Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse, also known as the lemonade diet, is a modified 10 day fast. You consume 8 to 12 glasses of a special lemonade made from purified water, organic lemon juice, organic grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper -- all ingredients can be purchased at your local natural foods store. The two other components of the diet are a salt water flush in the morning and a laxative tea before bed. There is nothing else to purchase, no special products needed.
Jump Start Juicer
This is a seven-day juice detox that will jump start a weight-loss plan. Only water and fresh fruit and vegetable juice is consumed for an entire week. You should start modifying your diet two weeks before beginning the juice detox by eliminating meat, dairy, sugar, oils and caffeine -- and adding raw fruits and vegetables. During the week long juice fast, make sure you drink a combination vegetable juice for important nutrients -- and fruit juice for sugar and energy, according to everydiet.org.
Raw Foods Detox
A raw food detox relies on the living enzymes in uncooked fruits and vegetables to aid in digestion and detoxification. This may be a gentle option for anyone who is hesitant to try a detox diet, because you can detox in stages and only add as much raw food as you're comfortable with. Start by eating 75 percent cooked and 25 percent raw food. Try to eat only whole foods, eliminating refined sugars and over-processed food products. Gradually increase the percentage of raw food, as long as you're comfortable.
UltraSimple Diet
Designed by Dr. Mark Hyman, the UltraSimple diet eliminates food with additives, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and trans or hydrogenated fats. You are encouraged to eat lean protein such as fish high in omega-3s or chicken, nuts, seeds, legumes, fresh vegetables, vegetable broth, berries and brown rice. Drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water and at night, take a relaxing bath with Epsom salts and lavender oil to enhance detoxification.
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