Archive for February, 2009

Detox Diet Drink

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Have you ever put yourself on a strict weight loss program that included a calorie controlled diet and strenuous exercise regime only to be disappointed that you only managed to shed a few measly pounds? Perhaps you did not lose much weight because you forgot to begin with a day or two of detox.

When the body becomes overwhelmed with toxins that result from poor diet choices and exposure to environmental pollutants, it can be very difficult to lose any excess weight. It can also lead to several health ailments such as elevated cholesterol levels, bloating, constipation, allergies, headaches, insomnia and depression.

In order to get rid of these toxins to boost your health and get a good start to your weight loss program you need to go on short detox diet. This involves fasting and drinking only purified water and detox diet drinks for one or two days.

Where To Buy Them

There are several detox diet drinks available for purchase at health food shops and on the internet. These detox diet drinks have been specially formulated to purify the body by flushing it of all harmful toxins. By drinking these detox diet drinks and forgoing food for a day or two you can lose up to eight pounds in weight. You will also feel healthier, happier and more energetic.

Detox diet drinks are more expensive than most other beverages and prices vary. Before you buy your detox diet drinks you may wish to consider reading some consumer-written reviews in order to get an idea of which are the most effective and offer the best value for money.

How To Make Your Own

Not everybody can afford to buy pre-made detox diet drinks because they can be rather expensive. However, even people who don’t have much spare cash can go on a detox diet.  If you search the web you will find numerous recipes for detox diet drinks you can make at home using a blender.

Homemade detox diet drinks contain inexpensive ingredients that everybody can afford. Common ingredients for homemade detox flushing drinks include freshly squeezed citrus juices, flaxseed oil, olive oil, water, cayenne pepper, bananas, strawberries, apples, blueberries, yogurt, maple syrup, ginger, garlic and brown rice syrup.

Homemade detox diet drinks should be consumed in place of solid food. They do not always taste very pleasant so you may need to hold your nose and gulp them down fast. After you have finished the drink chase it with a glass of water to remove any residual taste from your mouth.
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One Day Detox Diet

Sunday, February 8th, 2009

The higher the level of toxins in your body, the more difficult it is to lose weight. Unfortunately most of us have a high level of toxicity because we are exposed to several environmental pollutants each day and we eat too many unhealthy foods such as sugar, saturated fat, red meat and refined flour. Furthermore most people don’t consume nearly enough fiber, and this means that these unhealthy foods do not pass out of the system as quickly as they should but slowly deteriorate in the gut for years instead. It is therefore a good idea to go through a one day detox diet before you begin any weight loss plan. A person can lose quite a few pounds very quickly on the one day detox diet. It also cleanses the body of toxins, which primes it for further weight loss.

What It Entails

If you decide to try a one day detox diet you will drink nothing but purified water and a specially prepared beverage that will flush your system of toxins for a period of twenty-four hours. Doing this will not only prepare your body for a weight loss diet. Detox flushing also boosts the overall long term health of an individual. When toxins build up in the body it can cause numerous unpleasant side effects such as fatigue, skin blemishes, headaches, bloating, psoriasis, depression and weight gain.  Therefore you may wish to go on a one day detox diet once every month or so even if you do not actually need to lose any weight.

Buying Pre-Prepared Drinks

Has what you have read so far made you want to try a one day detox diet? If so you have two options when it comes to obtaining the detox flushing beverage. You can buy detox diet drinks at health food stores or via the internet. These drinks are usually scientifically formulated and very effective, but they can also be moderately expensive. If you peruse a shopping search engine on the web you will find numerous drinks to choose between, all you have to do is pick out the one that appeals to you most.

Homemade Drinks

If you would like to try the one day detox diet but you are on a tight budget, you can easily prepare your own flushing drinks at home. If you use your blender to combine healthy ingredients such as water, flaxseed oil, the fresh juice of citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges, garlic cloves, blueberries, strawberries, ginger and cayenne pepper you can make a detox flushing drink that is just as effective as anything you can buy. However, you will have to resign yourself to the fact that homemade flushing drinks do not generally taste very nice. There are numerous free recipes for one day detox diet flushing drinks online.

Liver Detox Diet

Friday, February 6th, 2009

One doesn’t have to look very far to find a detox diet plan. There are all kinds of detox diets that are publicized on television, in magazines and online. Some of these diets last for weeks and are considered too rigorous by some nutritionists. At the other end of the scale are milder one day detox diets that comprise fasting and drinking only purified water for twenty four hours.

The most effective type of detox diet is one that specifically targets the liver, which is one of the most important organs in the body. The liver is a complex organ with over nine hundred functions.  It basically acts as a filter that removes toxins from the bloodstream.  Unfortunately we are exposed to several pollutants and many of us don’t eat a healthy diet. This causes the liver to become stopped up much like the filter in a modern vacuum cleaner.

When the liver becomes clogged it cannot do its job properly and toxins begin to build up in the tissues of the body. This can cause health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, elevated cholesterol levels, fatigue, allergies and abnormal blood glucose levels. If you wish to avoid these health issues it is a good idea to follow a liver detox diet intermittently.

What To Eat

The liver detox diet is actually quite easy to follow compared to other detoxification plans. All you have to do is drink plenty of water and stick to whole organic foods such as fruit, vegetables, lean meat, whole grains and fish. There are some foods that are especially good for a person who is following a liver detox diet. For example turmeric, seaweed, beats, artichokes, radishes, broccoli and cabbage are all considered liver-healthy.

What To Avoid

Following a liver detox diet means avoiding processed foods and beverages that are high in sugar or fat. Obvious toxins such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and illegal drugs are also off limits for followers of the liver detox diet. After all, the objective is to purify your liver so that it is no longer overwhelmed by toxic substances and can therefore perform its functions more effectively.

Flushing And Supplements

Some people flush their liver for period twenty four hours as part of their liver detox diet. Liver flushing involves drinking only purified water and an unpleasant tasting but very healthy beverage. This drink is made by blending two table spoons of extra virgin olive oil, the juice of two lemons, freshly squeezed orange juice, five cloves of garlic, fresh ginger and a small amount of cayenne pepper.

If you plan to try the liver detox diet make sure you invest in a good multivitamin to take while you are on it. That way you can be sure you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs. You may also wish to purchase some dandelion and milk thistle, which are both beneficial liver-friendly supplements.

Detox Diet Plans

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

In recent years there has been a lot of hype in the media on the subject of detox diet plans because many health benefits are linked to them. Detox diets aim to rid the body of toxins and control the damage done by free radicals. They are thought to help with weight loss, reduce bloating, get rid of skin blemishes and reduce the appearance of cellulite and wrinkles. Sensible detox diet plans can also boost energy levels and restore the overall health of an individual.

Easy Does It

There are numerous different kinds of detox diet. Most nutritionists recommend milder detox diet plans that eliminate certain unhealthy substances but do not cause any adverse side effects. For instance, you could follow a plan that comprises cutting red meat, caffeine, sugar and alcohol from your diet. Alternatively you eliminate all processed foods and stick to lean meat, fish, low fat milk, freshly squeezed juices and organic produce.

Specific Results

Some detox diet plans are geared towards specific results. For example, the liver is the first organ in the body to suffer the adverse effects caused by a build up of toxins. Therefore some people periodically go on a liver detox diet. This kind of diet comprises eating only organic food such as lean meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices. It also involves cutting out caffeine and alcohol and packing in foods, spices and supplements such as broccoli, seaweed, cabbage, radishes, dandelion, milk thistle and turmeric.

Extreme Measures

Some people habitually follow an extreme form of detox diet plan. They take severe measures such as fasting and drinking only purified water for three days or eating only unprocessed fruits and vegetables for a period of three or four weeks. Although people who follow this kind of severe detox diet can lose a significant amount of weight very rapidly, it is very difficult to stick to and may end up doing more harm than good in the long term.

The Risks Involved

Any detox diet plan that involves cutting out certain essential nutrients, vitamins or minerals is not suitable to follow for more than a maximum of three or four days at a time. Eliminating certain essential nutrients for an extended period is dangerous because can cause numerous deficiencies and health problems.
Detox diet plans are not suitable for everybody. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby should not follow a detox diet plan that involves anything more than giving up cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine. People with certain health conditions should also avoid detox diet plans. For instance if you suffer from diabetes, anemia or low blood pressure then this type of diet is not appropriate for you. Before starting any kind of detox diet consult your doctor.

Raw Food Detox Diet

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

If you have read articles about raw food detox diets in magazines and online then you probably have mixed messages about them. Some articles claim that raw food detox diets are great for cleansing the body of toxins and free radicals to boost an individual’s overall health and reduce cellulite, wrinkles and bloating. Other articles tell us that the raw food detox diet is dangerous and causes side effects associated with malnutrition since it does not include all of the minerals and essential nutrients the human body requires for optimal functioning. Perhaps you would like to know the truth about the raw food detox diet. Is it beneficial or will it cause damage to a person’s health?

What It Comprises

A detox diet plan that involves eating only raw foods is quite difficult to follow, especially if you are a big fan of starchy foods and meat. Followers of the raw food detox diet plan can only drink water and eat food that is derived from plants and has not been cooked or processed. The list of foods that can be eaten includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, legumes, beans, nuts, seaweed, herbs and spices. It should not include food that does not come from plants such as meat or fish. Nor should it consist of anything that has been cooked or processed.

It All Depends On The Duration

A raw food detox diet can be healthy or dangerous depending on how long a person stays on it. If one takes a sensible approach to the raw food detox diet by following it for just two or three days at a time, it has several associated health benefits. For instance, it can reduce the risk of heart disease, promote healthy weight loss, clean the digestive tract and improve the appearance of the skin.

However, following a raw food detox diet for a prolonged period of time is harmful because it causes the body to become malnourished. Most plant foods not contain sufficient fat. The body needs a small amount of fat in order to regulate some bodily functions. They are also used absorb and store fat-soluble vitamins and utilize other essential nutrients effectively.

Raw food detox diets do not contain enough protein or essential minerals either. Protein is needed to repair and build new tissue in the body, provide energy and protect against viral and bacterial diseases. Minerals are required for numerous different functions in the body. For example calcium is used to build healthy bone tissue and iron is needed for the synthesis of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

Since following a raw food diet involves depriving your body of fat, protein and certain minerals it isn’t a good idea to do it for too long.  health insurance quotes To get the health benefits associated with the raw food detox diet without the risks, one should follow it for no more than two or three days in any one month.

Detox Diet

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

The chief aim of a detox diet is not actually weight loss. Instead it is intended to cleanse the system of toxins and free radicals that have built up over time. This will hopefully relieve any serious physical disorders and reduce bloating, wrinkles, fine lines, cellulite and weight gain.  There are different types of detox diet and some of them are more extreme than others.

The Extreme Version

The most extreme form of detox diet lasts for a period of forty days. It begins with three days of fasting and drinking only purified water. People who try this diet are cautioned to limit their physical activity and avoid temperatures that are either too hot or excessively cold while they are fasting.

The second stage of this major detox diet comprises eating just one type of fruit for any given meal.  For example, you might eat melon at breakfast, oranges for lunch and apples for dinner. This is called a monographic diet and it is meant to be adhered to for a period of one week.

During the remaining thirty days dieters are meant to follow a raw food detox diet plan.  During this phase only fruits, vegetables and whole grains can be consumed. If this diet sounds difficult to follow, that’s because it is. Common side effects include exhaustion, nausea and dizziness.

The side effects associated with the more excessive type of detox diet are thought to be the result of malnutrition. It is hard to consume as many calories as your body needs to function each day from just water, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is also impossible to get the minerals, fats and protein that your body requires to operate efficiently from such a diet. Therefore most nutritionists do not recommend following the extreme detox diet.

The Sensible Option

If you want to try a detox diet you can, but it is wise to stick with something far less intense than the aforementioned forty day plan. A sensible detox diet should not last for longer than three days. During this seventy two hour period stick to drinking water and eating foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, whole grains and a small amount of vegetable oil.

Avoid meat and foods that contain sugar or fat. Say away from all beverages that contain high fructose corn syrup, fat, chemicals or caffeine. This less excessive detox diet will do a great deal to cleanse your body of toxins and neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals without causing you to become malnourished. You may wish to repeat this gentle detox diet once every month or so to keep toxins from building up in your body.