Unlike some of the more radical, liquid detox diets, a fruit-based diet for detox can help cleanse and renew your body without depriving you of food and nutrients. By eliminating stimulants, processed sugars and animal products for several days and replacing them with raw, juiced or lightly cooked fruits and vegetables, you allow your detoxifying organs to rest and recuperate. However, it is important to note that a fruit diet lacks healthy fats and proteins, and therefore should not be sustained for more than several days. As with any alternative remedy, consider your individual nutritional needs and consult a doctor before attempting a fruit detox diet.
Purpose
Whether you hope to jump-start a weight-loss diet, recover from a particularly indulgent week, pinpoint possible food allergies or simply refresh your body and feel cleaner overall, a fruit detox diet will help your liver and kidneys eliminate toxins more efficiently and regulate digestion. Whole-food diets immediately eradicate processed foods, a prime dietary source of toxins; and according to Aadil Palkhivala, an Ayurvedic practitioner and renowned detox yoga teacher, when coupled with a cleansing yoga practice and the avoidance of products like alcohol and caffeine, such a diet has a holistic healing effect on the entire body.
Benefits
Detox diets will alleviate water retention and digestive complaints, generally resulting in water weight-loss, renewed energy and regular elimination. Additional benefits may include reduced stress, improved sleep and clearer skin. Fruit-based diets are also rich in naturally occurring vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants, providing your body with anti-aging and anti-carcinogenic compounds as you detox for optimal health.
Variations
A sample fruit detox diet might include prime detoxifying citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grapefruits, as well as any other whole fruits you choose. Variations on this diet may be necessary, however, either to provide adequate nutrition to those with higher caloric needs or simply to make the program more sustainable. If you rarely eat whole fruits and vegetables, consider a simpler cleanse in which you simply eliminate stimulants, alcohol and meats. Detox diets should never be undertaken suddenly or with foods that are drastically different from your normal diet. Fruits and vegetables blended as smoothies together with protein powder, nut butters or flax seeds, warm or cold vegetable soups, salads or fruit served with natural yogurt are all variations to a pure fruit diet that provide added nutrition without compromising the diet's detoxifying effects.
Considerations
A fruit detox diet will necessarily be lower in calories than a conventional diet. However, any diet that is too calorie restrictive is unhealthy. If you are new to detox diets, formulate a meal plan that includes lean protein in addition to fruit and vegetable juices, and consume no fewer than 1,200 calories per day. Plan ahead for your detox, avoiding strenuous mental and physical activities and emphasizing rest, relaxation and gentle exercise. Yoga is an ideal way to move your body, focus your mind and supplement your detox with cleansing poses.
Warning
Detox diets may seem like an ideal way to lose weight, but any meal plan that severely limits calories from protein and healthy fats is unsustainable and will ultimately lead to unhealthy muscle weight loss. Consult your doctor before attempting a detox diet for any reason, and never follow a fruit detox diet for more than 2 to 3 days.
Member Comments