Cleanses and detox diets promise to help you feel more energized and healthier by removing toxins from the body. Pollution, chemicals, processed foods and beauty products all contaminate your body daily. While your kidneys, liver and lymphatic system work to naturally clean your body, you may seek a cleaner lifestyle and diet to help these organs do their job.
Significance
Cleanses come in all shapes and forms -- from herbal supplements, to fasting diets to concoctions of lemon and water. All of these cleanses pose problems as supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so you cannot be sure they are safe for your body. Fasting cleanses and juice fasts may result in weight loss, but the effects are temporary; you will likely regain weight as soon as you go back to eating your regular diet. In addition, you may slow down your bodily functions and cause a loss of lean muscle mass, neither of which help your weight management or health in the long-run. Healthy cleanses focus on living and eating simply, rather than a quick fix or adding supplements to your diet.
Features
If your diet is filled with processed foods containing added sodium, sugars and artificial colors and flavors, you might benefit from switching to a cleaner, more natural diet to help cleanse your system. A diet containing fresh vegetables, fruits, plain lean meats and fish and whole grains provides antioxidants, phytochemicals and other natural compounds that naturally contribute to good health. A complete cleanse also eliminates caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Choosing mostly organic vegetables and meats further helps reduce your exposure to pesticides. You may also invest in organic, chemical-free beauty products to further limit your exposure to toxins.
Strategy
You might begin a healthy cleanse with a weaning process to minimize the side effects of sugar and caffeine withdrawal. For a few days prior to the official start of your cleanse, reduce your intake of foods with these additives, but do not feel the need to cut them out altogether. A healthy cleanse may last only three to five days. As long as you provide your body with adequate energy in the form of calories and nutrition, a healthy cleanse may be a 10-day, 2-week or month-long process. Make an effort to remain physically active, but do not overtax your body with strenuous regimens. Stick to water or unsweetened herbal teas while on your cleanse.
Sample Diet
You might begin with a breakfast of water with lemon juice and a bowl of steel-cut oats; skip instant packets which contain added sugar, sodium and flavors. Top with fresh berries and raw pecans. For a morning snack, have an apple with natural peanut butter. For lunch, lightly sauté fresh spinach in a teaspoon of olive oil and flavor with a squeeze of lemon juice. On the side, have a 4 oz. serving of baked, organic chicken seasoned with sea salt and cracked black pepper. You could have a handful of raw almonds and a piece of fresh fruit on the side. In the afternoon, snack on citrus fruit. For dinner, enjoy baked cod or flounder served with steamed broccoli and brown rice. If you crave an evening snack, opt for organic strawberries or grapes.
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