A detox diet essentially focuses on eating more clean and healthy food. If you have been eating a lot of unhealthy, junk food over the past few days, or not eating properly due to a busy schedule, or your body is exhibiting signs like low energy, irritated skin, bloating, mood swings, etc., then a detox diet might be healthy for you. However, a lot of people interpret detox diets incorrectly and end up making mistakes that do them more harm than good. Consuming a clean and healthy 'detox' diet can help optimize your body's natural detoxification system. Read on to learn about mistakes to avoid and correct ways to follow a detox diet.
Here Are 3 Common Mistakes To Avoid In A Detox Diet:
1. Juice Cleanse
According to a 2018 study published online in 'AKJournals', juice cleanses are linked to eating disorders and an increased risk of severe health issues. For example, juice diets can increase your blood sugar because you are consuming that fruit or vegetable without any fiber, which plays a big role in providing a steady supply of sugar from the fruit/vegetable.
2. Starvation
Many people stop eating and skip meals when trying to 'detox' their bodies. However, starvation is not the solution. Starvation can make you feel hungry, lazy, and even increase your food cravings so when you do eat, you may end up eating too much.
3. Protein Restriction
When drinking only water, herbal teas, and juices in a not-so-healthy detox diet, one can end up missing out on the protein intake, which can make you feel hungry or deprived. Without adequate protein intake, it can be difficult for your body to balance hormones, assist in weight loss, digestion, and support a healthy immune system.
Also Read: 13 Delicious Detox Drink Recipes | Easy Detox Drinks
Now that you know the common mistakes to avoid, here are 3 important factors to focus on for following a clean and healthy detox diet.
Photo Credit: iStock
Here Are 3 Right Ways To Follow A Detox Diet:
1. Eliminate Processed Food
Multiple studies have found that high consumption of sugary and highly processed foods is linked to health conditions like obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. According to Healthline, these diseases can harm your liver and kidneys, hindering your body's ability to naturally detoxify. Eliminating processed foods from your diet can help keep your body's detoxification system healthy. Examples of common processed foods include sugary soft drinks, cakes, biscuits, chips, pies, pastries, bacon, sausage, ham, salami, and microwave meals or ready-to-eat meals.
2. Eliminate Alcohol And Caffeine
Drinking too much alcohol reduces your liver's ability to carry out its functions, such as detoxifying. So consuming no alcohol can keep your body's detoxification system strong. While it can be challenging to eliminate caffeine from your diet, in the long run, eliminating caffeine can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and reduce headaches, according to Healthline.
Also Read: Weight Loss: All About Detox Diet, When To Detox, Best Healthy Detox Recipes For Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner
3. Reduce Gluten And Dairy Intake
According to Luke Coutino, a popular Holistic Nutritionist, following a 5-day gluten-free and dairy-free diet can help reduce markers of inflammation in your body, make you feel lighter, improve energy levels as well as gut health, among other benefits. Examples of foods that contain gluten include wheat, breads, pasta, noodles, sauces, baked goods, cereal, beer, etc. Examples of dairy foods include milk and all its products like cheese, yogurt, curd, cream, buttermilk, butter, ice cream, etc.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.