It seems that these days you can’t go too long without hearing about some sort of new detox diet of choice. Celebrities like Beyonce and Gwyneth Paltrow have openly talked about turning to detox diets to shed a few pounds in a pinch. But are they really as efficient as they claim to be? Or are detox diets nothing more than a temporary band-aid on the issue of healthy eating and living? If you’ve been toying with the idea of turning to one of these cleansing methods, here are some things you should know about the topic along with some points about clean eating, a more long-term solution.
Detox Diets vs. Clean Eating
About Detox Diets:
– Detox is short for “detoxification” and used to refer to the removal of toxins from the body over a short period of time.
– Detox diets usually only last for a few days due to their intense requirements.
– Colon cleanses are sometimes used in conjunction with detox diets in order to clear toxins from the body.
– Some detox diets require periods of fasting followed by a strict diet of vegetables, fruit and water.
– Long-term fasting can result in nutrient deficiencies.
– You may temporarily lose a few pounds due to the low caloric intake over the length of the diet, but those pounds may quickly return once you resume your regular eating habits.
– These diets are not scientifically proven and you should always consult a doctor before starting any diet or exercise routine.
About Clean Eating:
– Clean eating, like detox diets, focuses on removing toxins from the body but by way of eating the healthiest options in each food group and doing away with or eating much less of the less healthy ones.
– Clean eating is a long-term process, and often a lifestyle choice, rather than a short, quick solution.
– Through clean eating, processed foods are eliminated from one’s diet.
– Clean eating is about consuming healthy “real” foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins and fats.
– Processed foods are foods that are manipulated or changed, such as adding sugar or salt and preservatives, or creating refined breads by removing bran and germ from whole grains.
– Research supports that eating whole foods, as is the case with clean eating, leads to good health.
– Clean eating prefers pesticide free and organic foods, which may be more costly.
– Some diets, such as the Paleo diet and Whole 9, are examples of clean-eating based choices.
Have you tried a detox diet? Or are you more into clean eating? What’s your choice when it comes to staying fit and healthy?
