Putting yourself on a detox diet has become a relatively common practice. For many people who are committed to health and wellness, the practice of ridding the body of toxins has become something of a routine. The ins and outs of a detox diet are understood.
What many people may not know is the best practices for ending a detox diet. What to eat after a detox diet may not be as commonly understood. When ending a detox diet, we need to reintroduce foods and nutrients in ways that do not reverse the benefits of the detox diet.
There are steps we can take to make certain that the work of a detox diet is not immediately counteracted by eating the wrong things after we finish. This guide will begin by making it clear just exactly what a detox diet is. What are the health benefits of a detox diet? And what are the best things to eat after a detox diet?
What is a detox diet?
A detox diet is most often a short-term dietary procedure designed to remove toxins from your diet and to assist your body in eliminating toxins from your body.
Many detox diets include a period of fasting followed by a strict program of fruits and vegetables, juices from both fruits and vegetables, and water. Many detox diets also include teas, nut milk, and supplements designed to help natural processes like liver and excretory functions.
There are a few detox diets and protocols that call for things like colon cleanses and enemas.
The purposes of a detox diet are to remove toxins from the diet and the body and to stimulate natural physiological functions that cleanse the body. Specifically, a detox diet works to:
- Give your organs a break.
- Stimulate liver function.
- Facilitate elimination through urine, feces, and sweat.
- Improves circulation
- Boost nutrients in your body.
Keep in mind that many things we eat that are meant to be healthy may still contain toxins that accumulate over time. Even if you maintain a healthy diet you still can benefit from a detox diet.
Our bodies are naturally adept at eliminating toxins. By giving your body a break from toxins substances you will allow normal processes to get to work and cleanse you of toxins. A body detox enhanced these natural processes by giving you exactly the things that stimulate liver and kidney function and help with the digestive system.
The first order of business is to cut out the things that bring toxins into your body. Cut out all alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and processed foods. Avoid all foods that contain processed added sugars.
Get ready for your detox diet by drinking plenty of water. Lemon juice is a natural detox supplement so add fresh organic lemon juice to your water for added benefit.
An actual body detox diet will consist of fruit and vegetable juices that contain powerful natural supplements designed to accelerate elimination and enhance liver functions. These are often consumed in smoothies and other forms that may include nut milk to make them more satisfying.
A proper body detox regimen will include a balanced system of nutrients and vitamins to ensure that your body is getting what it needs while you pare down your diet to only the most basic requirements.
Some of the benefits of a detox diet include improved digestion, alleviate inflammation, and may protect against many serious chronic diseases.
Health benefits of a detox diet
There are numerous benefits of a detox diet. Since our diets impact virtually every aspect of our bodies, including our minds, a detox diet stands to benefit the entire body and mind. Some of the principal benefits of a detox diet include:
Digestive Health
Everything we eat has an impact on our digestive system. When we are consuming toxic and harmful chemicals, our digestive system is perhaps the first thing to suffer. Detox diets cleanse the digestive system while providing foods that are simple in molecular structure and therefore easy to breakdown. The benefits of digestion are two-fold: the system gets a rest, and the processes it needs to perform are vastly simplified.
Control Cravings
We see above that a detox diet can help you lose weight. In addition to the weight loss, a detox diet can help you stay fit by controlling cravings. By relying largely on the liquids that characterize much of a detox diet, your body becomes accustomed to a lower intake and slower easier metabolic load. Over time, your cravings for foods will decrease.
Increased Energy
The toxins we take in every day create a burden for your liver. With the liver working too hard you will begin to feel fatigued. By decreasing the toxins you take in and simultaneously cleaning your body of built-up toxins, the liver begins to work more efficiently and this is passed on to your entire body in the form of more energy.
Improved Mental Health
Hormones are involved with all physiological functions. One of the primary ways hormones are regulated in our bodies is through our diet. One hormone specifically associated with stress is cortisol which increases with our stress levels. A detox diet reduces the stress load on the liver which in turn allows the liver to process and eliminate cortisol. The net benefit is decreased stress and a profound decrease in the physiological effects of stress. What is more, the more egregious toxins like alcohol and caffeine are linked to things like fatigue and poor sleeping patterns. This harms our mental health. By eliminating these things through a detox diet and giving your body the added boost you need to process these toxins in the body, you will experience better sleep, more energy, and an overall better emotional state.
What to eat after a detox diet?
If you are not careful about how you re-introduce foods into your diet after a detox diet, you can run the risk of defeating the benefits of the detox diet. It is just as important that your post-detox diet maintain the progress you made while you are on the detox diet.
You do not need to engage in a “detox that follows the detox.” But you need to follow some guidelines for a post-detox diet.
Once you have completed your detox diet, you will want to stick primarily to vegetables. Raw vegetables are best, but lightly steamed will work well also. Keep your portion sizes small. Stay off things like coffee, sugar, wheat, processed dairy, and all processed foods.
The next day it will be safe to include things like brown rice, quinoa, and legumes. A good five-day plan will look something like this:
Day 1
- Three small meals that consist of fresh vegetables, salads, vegetable soups, or steamed vegetables.
- Fresh fruits.
- Nuts
- Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and fresh herbs.
Day 2
- Brown rice or quinoa.
- Fresh and steamed vegetables.
- Starches like sweet potatoes.
- Fruits and nuts.
- Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and fresh herbs.
Day 3
- Brown rice and quinoa.
- Fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
- Beans and legumes.
- Organic yogurt.
- Eggs.
Day 4
- Brown rice and quinoa.
- Fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
- Beans and legumes.
- Organic yogurt.
- Eggs.
- Re-introduce meat, chicken, and fish if you eat these things.
Day 5
- Resume your normal diet, avoiding processed foods and other sources of toxicity.
As you can see, this protocol is fairly short and easy. In less than a week you can be back to eating your regular diet. Once you have completed a detox diet, it simply makes sense to avoid eating and drinking things that lead to dangerous toxicity levels in the first place.
Foods to avoid after a detox diet
Once you have completed your detox diet and introduced foods up to your regular diet, you still need to avoid eating certain types of things. The main things to avoid are any processed foods. These are loaded with additives and other sources of toxicity. Other things to avoid include:
Sweeteners and processed sugars
- Artificial sweeteners
- Brown sugar
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Refined sugar
- White sugar
Some beverages
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Energy drinks
- Soft drinks
Certain types of meats
- Beef
- Canned meats
- Deli meats and cold cuts
- Pork
- Sausages and hot dogs
- Veal
Wheat and gluten products
This is something that is up to each individual. Wheat and gluten sensitivities have increased in recent years. After a detox diet, you may find that gluten and wheat products are one of the things you need to simply avoid. Add these things to your diet following detox and monitor your health. You may find that you need to eliminate gluten.
You can use your discretion with many of these foods. For instance, some people digest meat better than others. Listen to your body and take things slowly so as not to over toxify. Other things like processed sugars and alcohol should probably be avoided altogether.
Spartan Detox plans
The best detox diet plan available is the Spartan Detox Plan. Spartan offers several plans designed to meet your specific needs. Whether your goal is to lose weight or to bolster your immune system, Spartan Detox provides plans that include juices and smoothies that will help you meet your goals.
Spartan Detox Plans are made from natural juices and smoothies are prepared every day using the best quality fruits outdoors offering an exceptional taste and drink experience that will help your body feel energetic. Spartan Detox also provides support through your detox programs.
Detox diets FAQs
What is a detox diet?
A detox diet is most often a short-term dietary procedure designed to remove toxins from your diet and to assist your body in eliminating toxins from your body. Some detox diets also include teas, nut milk, and supplements designed to help natural processes like liver and excretory functions.
What are the benefits of a detox diet?
A detox diet can help you lose weight, restore proper liver function, boost your mental health, and combat inflammatory conditions.
What does a detox diet accomplish?
A detox diet will give your organs a break, stimulate liver function, assist with elimination, and give your body a boost of nutrients.
Do I need to take precautions with what I eat following a detox diet?
You need to carefully re-introduce foods into your regular diet following a detox diet.
What should I eat after a detox diet?
Begin with raw or lightly steamed vegetables. Each day you can introduce more foods like whole grains, legumes, yogurt, and lean meats, chicken, and fish.
Should I avoid certain foods after a detox diet?
Avoid all processed foods, sugars, alcohol, caffeine, and processed meats.
Conclusion
There are proven benefits to a detox diet. Our modern lifestyles often lead to a dangerous buildup of toxins in our bodies. Processed foods, alcohol and caffeine, environmental toxins—all of these can accumulate in the body and lead to serious health problems.
Given these facts, it simply makes sense to detox your body once in a while. A healthy detox diet provides two immediate benefits: it removes and eliminates toxins from your body, and it allows your natural elimination systems to rest and regain strength. Your liver and kidneys can return to a much healthier level of function following a detox diet.
But we need to be careful after a detox diet to not negate the advances we make in our health. It is important to take care of what you eat and drink after a detox diet. You should always follow a protocol of slowly added foods into your diet after a detox diet.
Beginning with simple foods like fresh vegetables, you can day by day add other things to your diet. By about five days, you will have returned to a normal diet. But still, take care to watch what you eat and drink. Avoid the more dangerous foods like processed foods, sugars, and alcohol, among other things.
A healthy detox diet is a great way to restore balance and health. Just be careful about how you return to normal eating after you go through a detox diet.
