A detox diet is a dietary regimen involving a
change in consumption habits in an attempt to detoxify the body, by removal
of toxins or other contaminants. Proponents claim it improves health,
energy, resistance to disease, mental state, digestion, as well as aiding in
weight loss. Many scientists, dietitians, and doctors, however, regard 'detox
diets' as less effective than drinking a glass of water, and view 'detox
diets' as generally harmless but a waste of money.
"Detox" diets usually suggest that water, or fruits and vegetables compose a
majority of one's food intake. Limiting this to unprocessed (and sometimes
also non-GM) foods is often advocated. Limiting or eliminating alcohol is
also a major factor, and drinking more water is similarly recommended.
A list of methods to modify the diet for the
purpose of detoxification includes:
- Eliminating foods that are hard on
metabolism, such as caffeine, alcohol, processed food (incl. any bread),
pre-made or canned food, salt, sugar, wheat, red meat, pork, fried and
deep fried food, yellow cheese, cream, butter and margarine, shortening,
etc., while focusing on pure foods such as raw fruits and vegetables,
whole grains, legumes, raw nuts and seeds, fish, vegetable oils, herbs
and herbal teas, water, etc.
- Raw foodism
- Fasting, including water fasting and
juice fasting
- Increased consumption of fish
- Food combining
- Calorie restriction
- Herbal detox
- Master Cleanse, also known as the
lemonade diet, terms coined to refer to the fasting paradigm penned by
Stanley Burroughs
Some proponents of detox diets would
emphasize it as a lifestyle, rather than a diet. Literary references include
"Ultimate Lifetime Diet" by Gary Null advocating veganism as a (lifestyle)
method of detoxification.
Detox Diet Books
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