Stress from work, pollution from the commute, and lack of sleep can turn you into a tired lump of a person. The food you take in doesn’t help, either. There’s that chocolate cake you had for dessert, that chicharon you munched on for merienda, and who in the world has the time to cook a meal that isn’t fried or microwaved nowadays?

It’s not too late to make amends with your body. Try going on a detox diet and you’ll be good as new, if not better than ever.

Cleansing

Detoxifying your body simply means cleansing it: getting rid of all the toxins and harmful chemicals that have accumulated over time. This requires taking in the right food and drinks in order to properly flush the bad components out of the body.

Health benefits include boosting your immune system, increasing cell production and regeneration, and strengthening and repairing your internal organs (heart, liver, kidneys, etc.). More so, going on a detox diet sheds a few of those extra pounds that you have long wanted to get rid of. Given that it augments one’s eating habits paired up with a healthier digestive system, the bloated and congested feeling ceases every after meal, thereby paving the way for you to lose weight as well.

Click here to know more about the other benefits of detox diet.

Consultation

Although a detox diet is generally a healthy way of regenerating your body, it is best to consult your doctor about it especially if you have any illnesses that require you to take in or avoid certain foods.  If you’re pregnant, it is not advisable to go on a detox diet anytime soon, since your baby needs all the nutrients it can get.

Click here for a detox diet designed for expectant mothers.

What to Take In

The core idea behind a detox diet is to take in the most beneficial food for our body while turning our backs on all those fatty foods that we gorge in often. Detox also means allowing our body to slightly relax and give it time to readjust and kick-start itself.

  • Fruits and vegetables – Your pre-school teacher got that right: fruits and veggies are good for you. Not only do they contain the vitamins your body needs to perform at its optimum level:  they their fiber content also helps flush out unwanted toxins.  Wash them properly and if possible, eat them raw.

    Note: garlic is also an excellent antioxidant.

  • Whole grains – These include oatmeal, brown rice, and even popcorn. (We recommend the salt-free and butter-free kind.) These are excellent sources of vitamins, iron, fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.
  • Fish oil – You’ve seen the increasing number of TV commercials with celebrities endorsing products containing fish oil and, consequently, the Omega 3 fatty acid.  This paves the way to better cardiovascular health, improves brain function, and reduces your risk for certain cancers.
  • Water – Drink the appropriate amount of water every day.  Recent research has shown that the “8 glasses of water” belief is not 100% true, as too much water can lead to water intoxication.  The healthy amount for an adult is in fact one cup of water with every meal.   

Apart from purifying the kidneys and blood vessels, in particular, drinking the right kind of water helps you feel full. Teas and fruit juices are good alternatives. Peach tea targets the liver and kidneys; lemon tea has Vitamin C, an antioxidant; and green tea boosts energy, improves your cardiac system and aids in your body’s digestion.

Click here for a detox diet plan.

What to Avoid

To achieve effective detoxification, it is crucial to do away not only with toxin loaded foods but also certain activities that bring in toxins to our body.

  • Animal protein and fat – These contain saturated fat, which adds to the cholesterol in your blood, therefore making you more at risk of heart diseases. 
  • Junk food – Painful as it is, the things we find delicious aren’t always what’s good for us. Think of all the salt, fat, and calories contained in a bag of potato chips. Best to keep it in the darkest recesses of your cupboard during the duration of your detox period.
  • Alcohol – Think of avoiding alcohol as being kind to your liver; you only have one, after all.
  • Caffeine – Remember, most of the food on this list isn’t actually bad for you, but only if taken in moderation. Too much caffeine could give you headaches. It could also cause erratic heart rhythms, which may lead to more dangerous consequences.
  • Sugar – We know too well that too much sugar can cause diabetes, obesity, and even tooth decay.  That alone is enough reason to avoid this as much as possible.
  • Smoking – Who isn’t aware of all the dangerous ingredients that enter your system with each puff of a cigarette? If you can’t stop smoking altogether, then at least avoid it while on your detox diet.

In addition to the diet, you may also consider other physical activities that would augment your body’s ability to get rid of waste. Such activities consist of habitually doing exercise and maintaining regular bowel movement. Detox diets don’t usually last for more than a few days. But if you like the results, you can continue detoxifying everyday by avoiding the toxin-laden food and drink you usually take in.

For more in-depth information, click here.

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