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Most people associate detox with starvation and deprivation, while others think of bad tasting juice or colonics. This can cause you to wonder if a detox is worth the suffering and constant hunger pangs. But in truth, you don’t have to suffer. There is a type of weight loss detox that consists of delicious foods. This clean eating detox is designed to jumpstart your metabolism and boost your health by providing your body with whole foods. The detox is easy to do and can have you feeling more energetic and healthy, while also allowing you to shed some pounds.
Detoxing for Rapid Weight Loss
This clean eating detox is designed to allow you to safely detox from sugar and all types of foods that turn to sugar. Experts believe that a diet high in sugar and flour can trigger addiction and lead to overeating. These foods can also spike insulin levels and cause inflammation. This makes the body store belly fat while also blocking the body’s ability to feel full. Because of these reasons, calories derived from sugar are much worse than calories from whole foods.
In order to participate in a detox for weight loss you’ll need to consume nothing but whole foods for a period of ten days. This is especially important for people who have never detoxed before.
During this detox, load up on the protein. Eat a serving of protein at each meal to help build muscle and combat cravings. This will also be important when it comes to balancing blood sugar and insulin levels. You can begin your day with a protein shake or organic eggs.
Just because you’re detoxing doesn’t mean you have to starve, so load up on healthy carbs. Healthy carbs mean organic, fresh produce. Stay away from starchy veggies such as potatoes and instead, focus on such veggies as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant and peppers. If you have a hard time eating veggies you can try blending them. Green juices are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Processed foods, dairy and junk food will need to be avoided during this time. These foods contain unhealthy fats and sugars, which can lead to weight gain.
Eating healthy fats can help to keep you feeling full while balancing your blood sugar. In addition to protein, enjoy a serving of healthy fats at each meal and at snack time. Healthy fat sources include fish, nuts, olive oil and avocados.
Water is very important on a detox. Experts recommend consuming at least a gallon of water a day. On a detox you’ll be pretty limited with the beverages you can have during this ten day period. You’ll need to avoid coffee, soda, milk and most fruit juices. A serving of fruit juice is fine as long as it’s all-natural. Green tea is allowed, however, it should be limited to one serving daily.
The Dangers of No Food Detoxing Diet Plans
A detox plan that prohibits food for three to five days can be a total challenge and it’s definitely not the healthiest option. But some fitness experts swear by these programs, claiming that you’ll be able to lose as much as ten pounds in just one week. If you are significantly overweight, suffer from diabetes or a heart condition, consult your physician prior to giving this type of detox a try.
There are a wide range of no food detox plans to choose from. One popular option consists of drinking large amounts of lemon juice mixed with honey and cayenne pepper several times a day for three to five days. Other detox options involve prepackaged herbal mixtures that are designed to provide you with the nutrients needed to boost your energy and keep you feeling full. It may come as a shock to some, but many people who try these detox plans fail to make it to the end. The first few days will be especially brutal as your body goes through withdrawal from lack of sugar and caffeine. Some of the herbal mixtures can also cause loose stool, diarrhea, and excessive gas and bloating, which is why many of these programs recommend detoxing at home when you have some time off.
When combined with exercise, this type of weight loss plan can be dangerous. During this time you’ll experience increased fatigue, lack of energy, increased anxiety, irritability and light headedness. Avoid strenuous workouts on a no food detox and focus on increasing your daily water intake. If you’re able to stick to the detox, you’ll definitely notice a drop in weight, but often this weight loss is mainly just water weight, which means you can expect to gain the weight back after just a day or two of eating normally. During this period your body may also go into starvation mode, making it almost impossible to lose any weight. This type of fad detox is not recommended for weight loss maintenance.
The Final say on Detoxes for Weight Loss
Your average detox is full of healthy sources of protein and fresh fruits and veggies. The first few days will be difficult and you may experience headaches, stomach upset and increased fatigue caused by sugar and caffeine withdrawal. Once you are over this hump you will begin to feel more energetic, and notice a boost in your overall health. Often, people who have completed a detox will continue to make healthier food choices and cut processed foods from their diet. Many fitness experts recommend participating in a detox once every three to six months for natural body maintenance. A detox that prohibits food is a pretty drastic way to lose weight, especially when you consider that the results don’t last for more than a few days. The ten day detox plan is a healthier option that will give your metabolism a boost while priming your body for weight loss. This healthier option allows you to lose weight and keep it off for the long haul, plus it’s a great program to follow for basic weight loss maintenance.