Related Articles
Butt sculpting workouts»Read More
Alcohol: how much is REALLY too much?
»Read More
Low fat bacon and spinach pasta
»Read More
Why can’t I lose weight?
»Read More
Eat right, avoid flu!
»Read More
Love it, Win it!
 |
WIN gorgeous treats from Montagne Jeunesse!Enter Now |
|---|
 |
WIN Glee: the Music, the Graduation!Enter Now |
|---|
The truth about detox diets
Detox is certainly a popular buzzword in the dieting world! The idea behind it is that we need to periodically clear the “toxic waste” from our body in order to stay healthy. In particular, we might be tempted to detox after over-indulging a little, for example at Christmas.
Some of the claims made in relation to detox diets include: rapid weight loss; improved digestion; improved hair, nails and skin; improved energy levels; boosted immune system; banishment of cellulite. Detox diets can last from around one day to around one month and may involve:
- Fasting for short periods of time.
- Consuming only fruits and vegetables.
- Cutting out wheat and dairy foods.
- Consuming a limited range of foods.
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
Exploding the myths
Our body constantly filters out, breaks down and excretes toxins and waste products. These could include: alcohol, medications, products of metabolism and digestion, dead cells, chemicals from pollution and bacteria. This is achieved by our in-built ‘detoxifiers’ the liver, the kidneys, skin, intestines and lungs. If we generally follow a healthy diet and lifestyle, they work in harmony to do the job rather well and we don’t need special help.
The virtues of fruits and vegetables
Proponents of the detox diets often promote the virtues of fruits and vegetables. Of course fruits and vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet and we should all eat at least five portions a day. They provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fibre, but no one fruit or vegetable can provide nutritional nirvana – it’s the variety that counts.
Allergy to wheat and milk?
Those promoting detox diets often claim that to ‘detoxify’, the body needs to exclude foods such as wheat and dairy products. The reality is that these foods provide us with important nutrients. It is unnecessary and potentially harmful to simply cut them from the diet. If you think you have an allergy to milk, wheat, or any other food, then see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. They can refer you to a New Zealand registered dietitian for safe dietary advice.
The facts about fasting
Fasting, or severely restricting what you eat, limits intake of energy and important nutrients needed for health and well-being. Rapid weight loss can occur, but this weight loss is largely water and glycogen (the body’s carbohydrate stores), rather than fat. You may feel fatigued and dizzy and it’s likely you’ll have less energy while you are following an extreme detox programme.
Further, if you are fasting your body won’t have the proper fuels available to carry out sustained exercise and activity – an important aspect of general well-being and healthy weight management. At the end of the programme, if you return to your old eating habits, any weight lost is likely to go back on!
A balanced diet
It does make sense to avoid excessive intakes of caffeine, alcohol and high-fat, high-sugar foods. However, if you want to maintain optimal health then the best approach is a balanced diet, with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day; some daily wholegrain cereals; lean meat, fish and alternatives and low fat dairy products. Keep to sensible alcohol and caffeine limits too. If you are looking to lose weight then consider reducing portion sizes, and don’t forget to be active every day.
So, do Detox Diets actually work?
Detox diets are marketing myths rather than nutritional reality. They sound like a great concept and it would be fabulous if they really delivered all that they promised! Unfortunately, many of the claims made by detox diet promoters are exaggerated. While they may encourage you to eat more fruit and vegetables, it’s best to enjoy a healthy, varied diet - for life!
Article written by Amanda Johnson for dietitians.org.nz
 |
how do we detox our self will it help with weight loss?.. Posted by AsHaNa_xOx "on" 10/18 "at"08:18 PM |
Best of the rest
Not only are you not getting all of the essential vitamins and nutrients gained from a bablance healthy diet but in the long term it does not help you lose weight; which is why some people do these diets in the first nplace, doh!
When you restrict certain foods from your diet yes you will lose weight. Not only in fat, but in muscle. Now without the muscle, once you do gain weight again (once you come off the diet, which you will have to because your health will be down the toilet and the diet is not sustainable) youy will gain more fat than you had in the first place. And since you lost all that muscle because of the diet, guess what? It’s going to be even harder for you to lose weight. So this back and forth of losing and gaining weight happens, all the while you lose more muscle, and making it harder and harder to lose weight.
Does that sound like something you want to put yourself through??
My suggestion is a healthy balance pyramid diet, along with an hour of exercise each day (slowly build up intensity) and lose weight/build fitness gradually.
Don’t tell me that’s too hard or you want to lose weight fast because in the long run it’s going to be a lot harder than doing it the healthy way in the first place.