Diet To Recleanse After A Night Of Eating Junk Food

The day following a night of overindulging on junk food is the perfect time for you to focus on good nutrition. Contrary to popular belief, a cleansing diet may not provide you with adequate nutrition and is not necessary to give your body a health benefit. Eating a balanced meal plan that includes a variety of foods coupled with adequate hydration are the keys to keeping good health.

Diet Cleanses: The Truth

Cleansing diets have received a lot of attention, especially after singer Beyonce attributed her 20-lb. weight loss to the Master Cleanse detox diet. Although future research may validate the benefits of cleansing diets, current evidence supporting the benefits and assessing the risks of cleansing diets is scant, according to Gerard Mullin, M.D., director of integrative GI services at John Hopkins Hospital. Diets that use the words "cleansing," "detoxifying" or "fasting" are just catchwords for diets that contain laxatives and diuretics and promote fasting. If you are looking to compensate for a period of unhealthful eating, adopt a eating pattern that consists of real foods with substantiated health benefits.

The Next Day: Breakfast

The first thing you should do when you wake up the morning after a night of eating junk food is go to the kitchen and drink a big glass of water. This will be an important aspect of your day -- as it should be every day. Drink at least 8 cups throughout the day as this will allow you to eliminate your body's waste efficiently. You may not be hungry right away, but try to eat within two hours of waking up. Include protein and dietary fiber in your breakfast. Try 1/2 cup of high-fiber cereal with 1 cup Greek yogurt and 1/2 cup of your favorite fruit or berries and you'll feel full until lunch.

The Next Day: Lunch and Dinner

Balanced meals contain healthful options from each of the food groups: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. Ensure that your lunch and dinner meals are balanced. For lunch, try a whole wheat wrap with 2 tbsp. hummus and a variety of your favorite fresh vegetables. Supplement this with a serving of your favorite fruit and a glass of water. For dinner, try 3-oz. fish with 1/2 cup brown rice. Saute a medley of fresh or frozen vegetables in 1 tsp. olive oil seasoned to taste. Top your dinner off with 1 cup of fat-free milk.

The Bottom Line

Because the human body is designed to be a natural cleanser with detoxifying power of the liver and the efficiency of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract in eliminating waste, there is no need to consume a diet claiming to have a cleansing effect. If you desire foods that are going to make you feel healthy, focus on colorful fruits and vegetables, adequate water intake, and balanced meals as described. If you feel hungry between meals, snack on healthful options like a piece of fresh fruit, a handful of almonds, two rice cakes or a low-fat yogurt.