Detox diets - what are they?

There are those who believe that detoxification is necessary only to help anyone who is addicted to drugs, or alcohol. They believe it's employed to overcome the addiction. Detoxification often is still used in such cases, but these days detoxification is increasingly used to improve a person's health generally. One way this is done is with a so-called detox diet.

If you're interested in cleaning the body from potentially harmful chemicals and toxins, you may be tempted to look for a step-by-step plan for a detox diet.

Such plans are available in almost bewildering numbers, but there are many variations.

Why?

The simple answer is that a detox diet comes in a number of different formats. If you do an internet search with the phrase "detox diet" you will find many different plans. So, which is best for you? Actually, there's no easy answer to that.

When you choose a detox diet plan it is important to keep in mind what your goal is for the detoxification. The goal is to expel and rid your body of potentially harmful toxins. It's a fact of life now that for most of us, even those who don't drink alcohol or use drugs, that toxins and chemicals build up in your body. To illustrate the point, recent studies have shown that there is often a lot more than just fluoride in our drinking water.

The main goal of detoxification is to cleanse your body. That means it's important to chose your foods carefully. Take a good look at the types of potentially harmful foods and drinks you are eating and drinking. Are you a coffee or soft drink drinker? In that case you're taking in caffeine, which is okay, but should only be consumed in moderation. Remember, though, that caffeine is not something your body actually needs. For that reason, anyone looking to take a detox diet are encouraged to eliminate coffee or pop from their diet, even if just for the length of the diet.

Some people are actually hooked on the taste that caffeine gives. To make it easier to give up caffeine, you could try drinking an all-natural juice. In fact it's worth thinking about getting your own juice maker; you can quickly and easily make your own 100% all-natural juices. Pure water is best for quenching your thirst and helping to detox your body, but if you find yourself needing something with flavour, juice may be the perfect substitute.

To eliminate toxins from the body, they must be expelled from the body. The major channel of elimination is the obvious one. That is why foods that are high in fibre are recommended. A diet that contains fibre foods helps to regulate your digestive system. Essentially, this means that you will probably make regular, although hopefully! not excessive, trips to the bathroom. In addition to eating more fibre, drinking clean water can help you flush your body of the toxins. Don't overdose on water - surprising as it sounds you can actually drink too much.

When you're next out food shopping, have a quick look at the ingredients label. Count how many of those ingredients you can barely pronounce. They will be the additives and chemicals. Many of the foods we eat have a lot of additives and chemicals. Although legally approved and generally safe such additives are things our bodies do not need to survive.

That is why detox diets call for the elimination of them. One way to avoid added chemicals and additives is to buy organic food. Many detox plans call for organic foods.

Organic foods are grown without overuse of pesticides and fertilisers. In some cases organic food is grown without any such additives. But what if you are on a budget? Organic food generally costs more money. If you're like a lot of people you may find that you actually eat less when you eat organic food. It seems that more of the actual nutrition is 'getting through' to your body.

Don't overlook fruits and vegetables. You may find these organic prices to be cheaper, particularly in season. Fruits and vegetables have their own health benefits, of course.

The length of a detox diet varies from one to the other. Some diets last as few as three days, while others can go for two weeks or more. Usually, seven to ten days is reasonable maximum time, but you will want to listen to your body.

A detox may be too much for your body to handle. Be alert for the warning signs and start incorporating your "traditional" food into your diet.

If the detox leaves you feeling clearer and healthier, you may want to keep certain elements more permanently, such as cutting out caffeine, or eating more organic foods.