Detox Diet

What is a detox diet?

A Detox Diet is a diet specific for removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for optimum health. There are many different types of detox diets. Generally, a detox diet is a short-term diet that:

• Minimizes the amount of chemicals ingested (for example, by the use of organic food).

• Emphasizes foods that provide the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification.

• Contains foods, such as high fiber foods and water, that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

Who Benefits From a Detox Diet

A detox diet will benefit everyone, but in particular any of the following:

• People who eat an unhealthy, unbalanced diet

• People who smoke, or have a high alcohol or caffeine intake

• People who work in a polluted environment

• People who have been ill or taking long term medication

• People who have been suffering emotional or physical stress

How a Detox Diet Works

Our body has its own very efficient detoxing system which, unless we overload it, works very well when we are young, healthy and stress-free. Problems begin to occur when we overload our system with toxins, or when our body is under pressure through age, illness or long term stress. A good detox diet will help the system to rid itself of stored toxins and take pressure off our kidneys, liver, bowels and lymph system.

What is a Good Detox Diet

A good detox diet should not be a one-off, one-day attempt to cleanse the system. In this situation we may metabolize the toxins, but instead of being ejected they may stay in our body and wander around in our bloodstream. This type of detox can do more harm than good. A good detox diet should be done slowly and it should be sustainable for at least one week. Because of this a fasting diet is not a good idea.

Foods in a good detox diet

A good detox diet should contain only organic foods and drinks.

Vegetables - Onions, cabbage, peppers, cucumber, tomato, carrots, leeks, artichoke, salad leaves

Fruit - Apples, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, mango, grapes, grapefruit, pineapple, oranges, cantaloupe melons, kiwifruit

Nuts and Seeds - Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and high in Vitamin E. Unsalted nuts, like walnuts, cashew, brazil nuts and almonds, and seeds like sunflower, flaxseeds, poppy seeds and pumpkin seeds

Herbs and Spices - Chives, mustard, chili, garlic, ginger

Water - If possible drink bottle or filtered water. Drink at least 8 glasses of water or diluted fruit juice

Foods to Avoid on a Detox Diet

Processed and Refined Foods - Avoid all processed and refined foods. Everything must be made with fresh organic ingredients.

Animal Foods - With the exception of \'live\' bio-yogurt, avoid all meats, eggs, dairy.

Alcohol and Caffeine - Alcohol is a toxin and must be eliminated on a detox diet. Caffeine, including colas must also be avoided. Instead drink herb teas, water, diluted fruit juice.

Smoking - Nicotine, and being in a smoke-filled environment should be avoided.

Drugs - All drugs, including over the counter drugs, should be avoided. If you are taking medication for a particular condition - DO NOT GO ON A DETOX DIET WITHOUT CONSUTLING YOUR DOCTOR.