We don't stop hearing all kinds of opinions about the latest diets based on juices, soups, intermittent fasting, mono diets, etc., and all under the premise of carrying out a detox and resetting your body. And our diet has changed a lot in recent years. Processed, refined foods, and foods from unsustainable crops or livestock, prevail. Our body is not prepared to assimilate many of the ingredients we eat, such as dyes, preservatives or pesticides. Not only can we not assimilate them, but they are also very toxic and completely destabilize our endocrine system.
The skin, lungs, liver, kidneys and intestine, among others, are emuntory organs, that is, they have functions of filtration and evacuation of toxins, so it can be said that our body is capable of eliminating toxins by itself. . What modern diet causes is a saturation of these organs due to the amount of “bad” foods we eat and therefore, we do not correctly absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
The symptoms derived from this poor diet are, among others, weight gain and swelling, difficulty sleeping, the presence of marked dark circles under the eyes, numerous digestive and skin problems, allergies, low defenses, etc. Hence many people look for solutions to this type of symptoms, and the detox cure has sounded very strong to purify internally.
WHAT IS THE DETOX DIET?
The term "Detox" is short for the word detoxification. The objective is to purify our body by eliminating toxins and other potentially dangerous compounds, but also to lose weight.
Diets or detox plans are indicated after periods of vacation and excesses in which we have spent eating unhealthy foods high in fats, sugars and sodium.
They consist of feeding exclusively, for a short period of time, on the natural ingredients necessary to achieve this purifying process (rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals). It is a diet rich in fiber and water but can be restrictive in proteins, carbohydrates and fats, so doing it with a professional is the most recommended option.
The benefits of this diet are numerous: it increases energy levels and mental clarity, strengthens our immune system, improves the digestive system, preventing constipation, prevents bloating and headaches, regulates cholesterol and triglycerides, prevents allergies and Improves the appearance of the skin, brighter and more radiant.
ALLOWED AND PROHIBITED FOODS
Among those allowed:
Fruits and vegetables (fresh, dried or dehydrated), seeds, nuts, vegetable fats (olive oil, avocado, etc.), whole grains (oats, quinoa, brown rice, etc.), whole grains (whole flour) , vegetable milks (soy, rice, almond), legumes, fish, chicken and lean meat (in smaller quantities), eggs, unsweetened yogurt, decaffeinated tea and coffee, honey and pure cocoa powder among others.
Those to avoid:
Sugar, saturated fats, sausages, refined flours (bread, cookies, pasta, rice), cow's milk, cheeses, sweetened juices with preservatives/dyes, artificially sweetened yogurts, pre-cooked products and in general any type of fast food , ice cream , chocolates, caffeine, soft drinks, alcohol and tobacco among others.
RISKS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
The main risks and contraindications of following a detox diet are undoubtedly the nutritional deficiencies into which one can fall. Hence, since we are all not the same, the best thing is that if you are thinking about doing a detox diet after Christmas binges, you put yourself in the hands of a professional who will study your specific case and assess whether you really need to carry out this type. diet.
Contrary to what is believed, it is important to be clear that it is not advisable to follow a diet exclusively based on juices or detox shakes. Eating an excessively restrictive diet (below 1000 - 1200 calories) leads to significant imbalances in our body. Hunger, lack of energy, loss of muscle mass, loss of concentration, irritability, sadness, diarrhea, dehydration are just some of the consequences of a poorly carried out cleansing diet.
Shakes or smoothies are undoubtedly a perfect complement to healthy eating habits. In fact, it is highly advisable to include them in the morning on an empty stomach, and then complete them with a balanced diet with the foods we have seen above. But eating only juices can be very dangerous.
SOLUTION AND TIPS
The most logical and sustainable thing is to take care of ourselves every day by practicing physical exercise and eating a balanced diet. There is no point in eating juices for three days if later we are going to stuff ourselves again with cookies, soft drinks, drinks and/or pre-cooked foods.
Taking care of ourselves daily will help our organs in their purification work and the body will have more energy to focus on other metabolic functions. Result: we will feel better, our skin will improve considerably, we will sleep well, our digestive system will improve, we will have less difficulty losing weight, etc.
- Forget about junk food and bad habits and include a smoothie with a wide variety of vegetables and fruits every day.
- Drink a lot of water
- Include antioxidant superfoods in your diet such as pure cocoa powder , matcha tea or açai (very good for liver and kidney functions) and others to purify your digestive and intestinal system such as chia seeds and spirulina .
- Also, try not to abuse animal protein and eat whole grains, nuts, legumes, hemp seeds , sesame, all of which are very rich in vitamins and minerals.
- It is important to start raising awareness about the importance of consuming organic foods to avoid pesticides in fruits and vegetables, as well as the hormones and antibiotics with which animals in industrial farming are treated.
We have to take daily detox habits to be balanced and help our organs in their functions and not "crush" them by depriving ourselves of everything with strict diets and then gorging ourselves on buns or French fries. Don't forget that food can be our best medicine for preventing diseases, but miracles in nutrition do not exist, so include all these foods and juices in your diet and go out and exercise.
What are you waiting for?
Alicia Lamothe (Health Coach)
Guillermo Milans del Bosch (CEO Baïa Food Co.)
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