The letter “D” is for Detox. This word has appeal and is picking up a lot of steam. Although it may not be the easiest of endeavors that you’ll tackle, such as saying goodbye to drinking coffee for instance, but the promise and rewards can be huge.
When you’re just into the first week of the detox program, you’re more than likely to experience a bit of a boost in your energy level, clearer smoother skin, and less congestion and bloating.
So you may be wondering what’s behind this miraculous transformation in your body. Also, even if you think you’re taking excellent care of your body, there’s an abundance of external toxins out there which you are constantly being bombarded with.
Toxins are ever present in the foods that you eat, the drinking water and the air that you breathe. Your body will also naturally produce unwanted toxins as well. It’s solely dependent on your digestive system, more precisely your liver, whose main purpose is to detoxify and eliminate all those unwanted accumulating toxins.
In a perfect world, our body’s are designed to systematically eliminate all of the toxins which our body accumulates. However, because of the constant exposure to a variety of external toxins continuously increases, our ability to effectively eliminate them significantly decreases.
So the best solution is giving your worn out detoxifying organs in your body a rest by going on a detox program, making them become efficient once again. But before you begin to alter your diet, know that detoxing safely as well as effectively requires that you properly prepare your body for toxin elimination.
This can be accomplished by eating plenty of fresh and wholesome foods. Detoxing also doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need to fast. What you’ll need to do however is properly transitioning yourself back to where it was once the detox program is over.
Going back to the same eating habits directly after your detox can potentially be a lot more harmful to your body than not detoxing at all. So the following is a safe, do-it-yourself, detox plan which you can implement.
First Decide If You Really Need A Detox
If you happen to suffer from constant constipation, breakouts, fatigue, muscle pain, or bad breath, you may be a candidate for a detox. Also, if you wake up tired, you’re always feeling hungry, constantly craving sweets or having difficulty concentrating, it may be time to detox.
You shouldn’t be considering a detox however if you’re pregnant or are nursing, are anemic or have some type of eating disorder. Also, if you have some type of chronic health condition, a detox is recommended under the strict supervision of a health care practitioner.
Beginning Your Detox
The majority of the practitioners will tell you that you shouldn’t go absolute “cold turkey” on your intake of sugar or caffeine, along with all the other “bad” foods which you’ll be giving up during the cleanse.
If you jump directly into a detox program, initially you’re more than likely of having unpleasant and unfavorable symptoms. Instead, it should take you up to a week to gear up and getting ready for your detox. This period should be spent slowly eliminating all of the foods and beverages which are considered off limits.
This will first prepare your body physically as well as your mind emotionally. For those who happen to have strong attachments towards certain foods, then it becomes less emotional to slowly let those foods go. For these reasons, it’s vitally important to prepare for your detox.
During The Detox Period
Now that you’ve prepared your body for the cleansing, you’re now ready to begin the detox program. The majority of experts recommend that a successful detox diet program should last a minimum of one week. To be able to get the maximum benefits however, it should be up to three weeks.
A three week program is recommended to be able to eliminate all of the toxins which are residing in your body. This time period is also needed to reeducate yourself back to having a healthy relationship with the proper recommended foods.
After You’ve Finished Your Detox
Congratulations! You’ve completed your detox program. But it’s not advised that you go out and celebrate with a Mocha Latte with whipping cream. Transitioning yourself and your body back into the proper diet is the most important step of the entire detox process.
The reason for doing a detox is improving your health, improving your bodily functions and creating new healthy eating habits. So it’s extremely important not jumping back into consuming caffeine, certain wheat’s and sugar.
Reintroducing The Foods Back Slowly
It’s recommended that you initially stick to a diet with predominantly plant-based foods, and then slowly begin introducing some of the foods which you’ve eliminated back into your diet. This should be done one at a time so you’ll be able to track how your body responds to each new food.
Once you’ve initially cleared certain foods out of your system, you’re then much more sensitized towards them, so you should be able to notice if they’re bothering you or not.
A detox program is an excellent way of discovering if your body is reactive towards gluten or wheat. If you do happen to have an intolerance, then you’ll be able to feel it once it’s in your stomach and in your digestive system.
Continuing To Limit Those “Off-Limit” Foods
The wheat which we now consume has higher amounts of gluten than ever before. Even if you didn’t happen to have certain reactions towards wheat or dairy in the past, you should begin eating foods such as barley, millet, oats and quinoa. You can also try almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk instead of dairy milk.
Instead of sugar, try replacing that with stevia or agave nectar. If you do reintroduce your body back to sugar or caffeine, keep in mind how they actually make you feel. For instance, when you take a break from drinking coffee for a while, you won’t need as much caffeine as you did previously to get the same effect.
Closely Monitoring Your Body After A Detox
Most of the time, we’ll get ill, feel lousy or catch the flu because we don’t bother to listen to what our body’s are telling us. These symptoms can be headaches, muscle pain, cramping, constipation or stomach pain. What a detox does is it’ll increase your sensitivity towards these signals which your body gives you.