A fruit-and-vegetable diet is a healthy way to receive the nutrients and vitamins your body needs. You may also find that weight loss is easier when you consume high amounts of fruits and vegetables, since your calorie, sugar and carbohydrate intakes are lower. Fruits and vegetables are touted as key components in detox, raw food or juice diets. A fruit-and-vegetable diet can also mean incorporating higher servings of fruits and vegetables into your normal routine. Deciding which is right for you depends on your lifestyle and eating preferences.
Benefits of Vegetables and Fruit
The USDA says a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk of stroke, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Fruit and vegetables also contain vitamins that are critical to most body functions, including aiding your metabolism, digestive system, formation of tissues and providing energy to your central nervous system. A diet high in fruits and vegetables enables you to receive high amounts of these vitamins and nutrients while consuming fewer calories.
Detox Diets
Fruit-and-vegetable detox diets require that you consume primarily fruits or vegetables for a period ranging from three to 30 days and can be used for detoxifying and weight loss purposes, although CBS News notes that you are likely to regain any weight lost. Some diets, like the eight-week "Liver Cleansing Diet," emphasize fruits and vegetables but allow fish and poultry, but no dairy. The 21-pounds-in-21-days diet limits your calorie intake to 1,000 calories a day on a primarily liquid diet of vegetable soup and fruit and vegetable drinks. Detox diets may be too extreme for some, while others find success. Consult your doctor before beginning a detox diet of any kind.
Raw Food Diets
Raw food diets require that you consume only raw or uncooked food for a specified amount of time. Proponents of these diets say vegetables lose almost all of their enzymes when cooked at or above 118 degrees. Consequently, your body does not receive enough of these nutrients, which assist in digestion and other bodily functions, from cooked vegetables. Unlike detox diets, raw food diets can last for a few days or can serve as a your diet as long as you'd like.
Juice Diets
Fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be an effective way to meet your daily vegetable requirements. Doing so requires the use of a juicer, which extracts juice out of fruits and vegetables through different methods, depending on the type of juicer. Juicing your vegetables preserves important enzymes and allows you to consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that you otherwise would not eat.
Warnings
A diet that lacks nutrients such as protein and essential fatty acids can have adverse health effects. Always incorporate other sources of these nutrients, such as nuts and fish, into your diet. Taking vitamin supplements can also ensure that you do not become deficient in these nutrients. As with any diet, consult your physician to plan the diet that is best for you.
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