The detox diet is an effective way to get back into shape in just a few days. Based on a temporary food restriction, the detox diet aims to drain the body of its excess toxins. Light diet, herbal teas and physical activity are the pillars of an effective detox diet! With a lighter and toned body, we regain our well-being and start off on the right foot. Let’s take stock of this famous detox diet and the best ways to practice it.
The detox diet is an effective way to get back into shape in just a few days. Based on a temporary food restriction, the detox diet aims to drain the body of its excess toxins. Light diet, herbal teas and physical activity are the pillars of an effective detox diet! With a lighter and toned body, we regain our well-being and start off on the right foot. Let’s take stock of this famous detox diet and the best ways to practice it.
What is a Detox Diet?
A detox diet is a dietary adjustment aimed at detoxifying the body. The detox diet is generally part of a detoxification cure that may include the use of plants or specific food supplements as well as the implementation of appropriate physical activity. During a detox diet, it is generally advisable to consume a large majority of fruits and vegetables whole or in the form of juice. The goal of a detox diet can vary depending on the person doing it and their specific needs. In general, it is considered that the detox diet aims to detoxify the body in order to help us get back in shape. The detox diet is restrictive and should not be taken lightly or practiced over the long term. It is recommended that people wishing to set up a detox cure to be accompanied by a competent practitioner.
How to do a Detox Diet?
A detox diet can extend over a variable period of time depending on the specific needs of the person. In general, the detox cure lasts between one and 7 days. It is not advisable to exceed a week when we practice a detox diet, because the intake of essential nutrients is insufficient and this could lead to deficiencies. Getting followed by a health practitioner is a good way to determine exactly what duration is suitable for our needs for the detox diet. It is possible to practice the detox diet 1 day a week or on several consecutive days.
3 Days
The 3-day cure is certainly the most popular because it remains tenable! A 3-day cure can be practiced over a long weekend without too much difficulty. For novices, the 3-day detox diet is the most recommended. At the same time, it is advisable to practice a gentle physical activity session every day, even for a short cure!
5 Days
Practicing a cure over 5 days requires more preparation and motivation! It is not recommended to embark on a detox diet for more than 3 days without being advised by a therapist.
7 Days
The 7-day cure is reserved for people wishing to set up a large dietary adjustment. The 7-day cure must imperatively be implemented with the expertise of a (holistic) health practitioner in order to maintain the balance.
Should you Consume Plants during your Detox Cure?
Taking specific plants during your detox cure can potentiate the benefits of this draining diet. Depending on our well-being goals, we can opt for herbal teas or infusions of well-chosen plants that will support our body during this period of fitness. To support the body during our detox diet, we can favour herbal teas prepared from the following plants:
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum, Carduus marianus) contributes to the protection and detoxification potential of the liver. It helps to protect the liver, which maintains liver function, and, moreover, it stimulates digestion and purification of the organism. An organic milk thistle tea in the morning, before breakfast, is a good start to your detox day.
Dandelion
Dandelion, or Lion’s Tooth, (Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum campylodes) supports the body’s ability to detoxify by stimulating diuresis. During the detox diet, it can be consumed in the form of fresh leaves in salads or in the form of herbal tea or infusion to be taken 15 minutes after a meal.
Artichoke
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus, Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens, Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus) has a detoxifying effect and stimulates the flow of digestive juices. It also promotes the proper functioning of the liver. If the artichoke is the most commonly used in our diet, it is also excellent in herbal teas associated with other plants such as rosemary or thyme.
Birch
Birch (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Betula alba) is a natural detoxifier. It has a beneficial influence on digestion and promotes the body’s detoxification process. We can complete our detox diet with a birch sap cure, to be taken daily before breakfast.
Chlorella
Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella communis, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Chlorella beijerinck) promotes the body’s natural detoxification process. It also helps eliminate heavy metals from the body. In combination with pectin, they help regulate sugar and cholesterol levels, thus helping the digestive system.
Do a Detox Diet after the Holidays
The end-of-year celebrations are often synonymous with excess! Richer food, alcohol and lack of sleep are a perfect combination to feel exhausted on the first of January. To regain shape and lightness, we can treat ourselves to a little drainage cure after the holidays! Some dietary adjustments can then be put in place to lighten the digestive system and replenish vitamins and minerals. The help of plants in the form of capsules or herbal teas is also welcome. To regain all your tone, we do not ignore the practice of gentle physical activity on a daily basis! To accompany the detox diet, stretching exercises are effective.
Detox Diet Program
If nothing replaces a personalised program developed by a qualified professional, it is possible to draw inspiration from standard menus recommended as part of a detox diet. Following a standard menu allows us to organise ourselves in advance in order to ensure an optimal progress of our detox diet. To get the diet off to a good start, you have to fill up with the foods specifically recommended during the cure, in order to have everything you need on hand for these few days of food restriction. Before going shopping, let’s take stock of the foods allowed during the detox diet. Before embarking on a detox diet, it is important to know that certain foods should be temporarily avoided in order to relieve the digestive system and lighten the body.
The foods allowed during the detox diet are:
- Vegetables (carrot, celery, artichoke, beetroot, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) raw, lightly steamed or in juice form.
- Fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, apples, pears etc.) raw, lightly steamed or in the form of juice.
- Hot drinks (green tea, herbal teas, infusions, etc.)
- Soaked oilseeds.
- Herbs (mint, rosemary, basil, parsley, coriander, etc.)
- Filtered water as desired.
This list of foods may seem skimpy and many might feel put off that they only have to eat such a small variety of foods during their detox diet! The detox diet is indeed a restrictive cure, but it is quite possible to indulge yourself by opting for seasonal fruits and vegetables and chosen very ripe, and by enjoying herbal teas beneficial for our body throughout the day. The detox diet is a time for ourselves that we must use to take care of ourselves in order to start again on a good basis once the cure is over. In addition, the detox diet is a great opportunity to reconnect with food by walking to the market to choose your fruits and vegetables, taking the time to wash and prepare them and above all by offering yourself a diet practice. Be conscious at each meal in order to take the time to discover and savour each food, however simple it may be! As part of a detox diet, the practice of physical activity adapted to our needs is strongly recommended to maintain muscle mass and promote optimal elimination.
Can You do Sports During a Detox Cure?
A detox diet is completely compatible with the practice of a sports activity. Even if the detox cure is restrictive, it is not intended to be continued over the long-term. Also, it is possible to continue your physical activity during your detox cure. Note, however, that it is preferable to opt for low-intensity physical activity during detox diet days. An adapted physical activity is interesting to encourage the elimination of waste from the body. Maintaining a sports activity during the cure is also a good way to maintain your tone and avoid muscle wasting often linked to the implementation of restrictive diets.
The detox diet is very popular today! However, it should not be taken lightly. To set up a detox diet in the rules of the art, we think of being accompanied by an experienced person in order to maintain the balance and start again on a good base.
