Detox as Part of a Weight Loss Program

While weight loss is a priority for many people today, detoxing is also becoming increasingly popular. The two can complement each other effectively—undergoing a detox can help reduce your weight as well.

The benefits of a detox diet are numerous and varied, including better-looking, clearer skin, weight loss, a stronger immune system, and improved bodily processes such as digestion. With so many benefits, a detox diet is certainly worthwhile, but it is important to detox healthily.

Weight loss programs typically require you to reduce your intake of food, or at least certain food groups. This reduction helps decrease your calorie intake and can often lower your cholesterol. Reducing calories is an excellent way to lose weight when combined with exercise, but adding a detox diet can further enhance your health and appearance.

Detox diets usually require you to consume a large amount of fruits and vegetables, with particular attention to variety. A wide range of these foods provides your body with substantial vitamin and mineral nutrition while keeping your calorie count low.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are generally easier for your body to process than carbohydrates and proteins—red meat can actually stay in your system for almost two weeks! Giving your body easily digestible food allows your digestive system to gradually work through foods that still remain in the stomach and digestive tract.

Once these foods have been fully processed, your digestive system will function more efficiently, which can reduce tiredness. When the body has food to digest, it can make you feel bloated and tired, but once a detox diet is underway, the reduction of foods that remain in your stomach for long periods means that bloating and tiredness tend to decrease.

However, it isn’t advisable to eat like this for extended periods. Diets based mainly on fruits and vegetables tend to lack the calories essential for your energy levels. Prolonged dieting can make you fatigued and ultimately susceptible to illnesses. A detox diet should be carried out in a controlled manner for short periods, allowing your body to refresh itself occasionally.

Foods to Avoid During a Detox Diet

During a detox, you should avoid foods such as milk, butter, cheese, bread, pasta, and red meats, as they are more difficult to digest. However, these foods do contain essential nutrients that you cannot go without for long periods, meaning you shouldn’t eliminate them from your diet completely.

The key is to find a balance. The body already detoxifies itself—it must in order to stay functional. Removing toxins from the body is an ongoing process, but a detox diet can aid the body in this, leaving you feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Detox diets are an excellent aid to both health and weight loss, provided you don’t go overboard and leave yourself malnourished.