For years, the United States Department of Agriculture has been telling us to eat more fruits and vegetables. But do you know why? Because they are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for life and loaded with antioxidants and fiber. Therefore, a fruit diet is a great way to cleanse the colon, regulate the digestive system and drop a few pounds.
Benefits
The bright colors of fruit, the pigments that strawberries red and blueberries blue are actually called phytonutrients--extremely powerful antioxidants that protect the body against cancer-causing free radicals. The benefit of using fruit as the main source for a cleansing diet is that fruit is full of fiber and has a high water content; both are necessary to brush and wash out the colon during cleansing. Personal trainer and certified clinical nutritionist Jay Robb, author of the Fruit Flush 3 Day Detox, says that nutrients in fruit help dissolve toxic buildup, and the water and fiber content of fruit flush it out.
How to Do It
There are a few ways to approach a cleansing fruit diet. The most common methods last for 3 to 5 days and require that nothing but fruit, water and lean protein pass the lips. The additional protein allows the body to rebuild, ensuring energy and stamina. However, eating a strictly raw fruit diet for 2 to 3 days is a popular way to jump-start a long-term diet or to do a seasonal whole-body cleanse.
What Do I Eat?
Some plans will start with only fresh fruit for the first three days, gradually adding raw vegetables on days 4 and 5. Robb's plan includes drinking protein shakes on day one followed with 2 days of eating fresh fruit every 2 hours, with a dinner meal of raw vegetables and a small amount of lean protein or protein shake. His plan has received much attention because people are able to drop up to 9 or10 pounds during that time.
How Does It Work?
Fruit is a natural laxative and is easily digested by the body. It is also very low in caloric content. Eating fruit throughout the day, even you add the small amount of protein at the end of the day, amounts to a mere 1000 to 1200 calories per day; calorie restriction plays a role in weight loss. However, if you follow Robb's plan, which includes about 200 to 250 grams of protein over 3 days, your body will kick-start into a fat-burning mode that preserves muscle. This is a similar approach to the popular high-protein diets.
Warnings
Do not start a new diet program, no matter how healthy it sounds, if you have serious health issues; consult your doctor first. If you begin a cleansing fruit diet, be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Although fruit is full of water, at least half of the weight you will lose in 3 days will be water weight. After 3 days of eating only fruit, your system will be in a cleansing mode; be aware that your digestive system will not appreciate bacon, eggs and pancakes for breakfast the next morning. Ease back into your regular eating habits slowly.
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