The beginning of a new year is usually the time we are super motivated to live healthier. This may also involve following certain hypes like detoxing. There seems to be a lot going on about this topic lately, so I want to tell you how I feel about detox diets and why I think it is yay or nay.
“Detox (short for detoxification) means cleansing the body from unwanted stuff, especially from the inside.”
The goal is to remove toxic substances and other waste materials to benefit your well-being. These toxins can come from food, but also things like stress and a contaminated environment. The main detoxifier in the body is the liver, but also the kidneys, intestines, lungs and skin are part of it. This natural cleaning process is going on 24 hours a day. Our body is capable of so many wonderful things, including to make us recover from possible harmful influences from the outside.
However, too many processed foods, cosmetics, pesticides, medicines, etc. can make it difficult to keep up the cleaning…
When we talk about detoxing we usually mean juice fasting, but things like oil-pulling, clay cures, and enemas are detox methods also. The promised benefits from these methods are for example losing weight, gaining energy, and creating an overall healthier feeling. But!
There is a major risky downside to detox diets though!
It could be dangerous when you are going to detox without exactly knowing what you’re doing. It may give side effects like nausea, headaches and dizziness. But worse dangers like malnutrition (due to a lack of variety) or damage to organs (because of unexpected effects) are possible too. If you do want to start this kind of a detox cure, please do it under supervision of someone that knows how this exactly works and don’t just try it yourself. These treatments should be worked up to carefully and build down slowly to get back into your regular diet again.
But is it really necessary to try these detox diets?
It can be helpful to support and stimulate our internal detox system, but personally I think there is a better and safer way to do so. Rather choose a “daily detox” where you create an adjusted lifestyle in which you pay good attention to how you are living. This includes having healthy eating habits and regular exercising. We want to avoid the overload of toxins that we’re exposed to nowadays. Do you still got the feeling like you’re in need of a detox? Do it as followed:
1. Start by cutting down your intake of sugar, soda, salt and maybe even dairy and gluten.
2. Drink lots of water and herbal tea.
3. Choose fresh food. Eating many fruits and veggies, and lowering your intake of processed foods will help you to feel and look better.
There is no quick fix when it comes to bettering your health. And there is no need for cold turkey switching your lifestyle. Taking smaller steps will do you much more good!! Listen to your body and feel the differences that will come from it, not only physical but also mentally. Cleaning your body can help clearing your mind and vice versa. Take your time to relax and enjoy the little things in life.
The most important message I want to give you girls, is to treat your body with the most love! Take care of your nutrition and make sure to stay active. Evaluate your lifestyle and think for yourself what you can do to improve it. Changing bad habits for good ones will give the best results (click here to read my personal story + evidence!).
I’m here to help if you need any advice, so don’t hesitate to ask ladies!
With love,
Carolina.
P.S. Have you ever tried detox diets? What’s your experience? I’m curious and hope you’re willing to share it with me in the comment section below 🙂
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Marloes van der Graaf Reply
Ik heb vorige week een vegan detox gedaan, onder begeleiding van Kitty van Trends and lifestyle. Ik was inderdaad blij dat ik voor de begeleiding heb gekozen en niet sapvasten, maar gezond en vullend veganistisch eten met bijbehorende supplementen. Er zaten afbouwdagen en opbouwdagen in de detox. Allemaal om te zorgen dat het goed voor je lichaam verloopt. En ik voel me inderdaad fitter, mijn huid is stralender en ik kan veel beter de suikerbommetjes (waar ik echt verslaafd aan was ) laten staan! Ik ben er super blij mee en wil dit jaarlijks in gaan lassen, maar inderdaad wel met professionele hulp!