Simple Detox Diet Plan

Detoxification refers to the process of eliminating harmful substances from the body. These substances come from the environment we live in and the food we eat. Although our bodies were designed to naturally eliminate toxins, the toxic burden we encounter is often too much for our systems to handle on their own, says doctor of naturopathic medicine Patricia Fitzgerald. A period of more intense detoxification may help your body's systems to function at a more optimum level. Beware, however, of detox programs that claim to deliver profound results in just a few days or that instruct you to eat only one type of food. A sensible detox program should help your body remove toxins while also providing the nutrients you need to help your systems function more effectively, says Dr. Frank Lipman, director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City.

Sources of Toxicity

Toxins are practically unavoidable and can come from surprising sources, notes the University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine Department of Family Medicine. The standard American diet contains chemicals and substances that can work to deplete our body of nutrients, such as high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, caffeine and alcohol. Your body's natural metabolic process also creates toxins in the form of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and bile. Certain medications, heavy metals, chemicals from household products and common allergens can also add to our toxic load. According to Fitzgerald, studies show that these toxins tend to accumulate in our bodies, contributing to the onset of various diseases.

Detox Diet Plan

A simple detox diet plan involves both the elimination of potentially toxic or irritating foods, as well as the introduction or increase of healthy foods that support your body's natural functions. UWIM recommends eliminating meat, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, tobacco, wheat, eggs and dairy products from your diet. To make this process easier, you may wish to remove any forbidden foods from your home prior to the detox period. Stock your kitchen with fresh, seasonal produce so that you can easily prepare healthy foods. If you do not have access to fresh produce, you can also use frozen or dried foods. Avoid canned fruits and vegetables, as these typically contain preservatives and other additives, cautions Dr. Alejandro Junger, author of "Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself."

Duration

A detox diet can last from a few days to several weeks. UWIM recommends a seven-day program. If this is difficult for you, try to complete as many days as possible. Junger's Clean program consists of three weeks of a strict detox regimen, but he notes that many of his patients start with shorter periods and eventually work up to the full three-week program. If you find you are unable to complete the full program, make a note of the difficulties you experience and plan to undergo another detox diet after a few months. Try to avoid the disallowed foods as much as possible to make your next detox attempt easier.

Side Effects

Some negative reactions are common during a detox program. These are not the effects of the diet itself, but rather your body reacting to the release of toxins that were previously stored in your cells, notes UWIM. You may also be experiences the effects of withdrawal from sugar, caffeine and other chemicals in food, notes Junger. You may experience headaches, body aches, digestive problems, weakness, fatigue and mood swings. It is important to try to continue the detox, says Junger, as these symptoms indicate the detox diet is working and true internal changes do not begin to occur until after this stage. If your symptoms are severe, however, you may need to alter your diet plan.

Healthful Practices

To facilitate healing and detoxification, Junger recommends a variety of other practices in addition to your dietary changes. Try to exercise regularly and engage in relaxing practices such as mediation or massage. He also recommends saunas and colonics if possible. You may also wish to keep a journal or record your progress with photographs so that you can see your results at the end of the program.