Thanks to much of what we hear in the media, detoxing has earned a reputation for being unhealthy and even unsafe. When you hear the word “detox,” do you immediately think of all-liquid diets, expensive supplements, and short-term deprivation for short-term gains?
The truth is, a detox doesn’t have to involve any of the above—and if you detox in a healthy, supportive manner, you can achieve lasting results in weight loss, energy gain, better sleep, improved digestion, and full-body health.
The following are four myths you may have heard about detoxing. Understandably, these myths may cause you to be hesitant to try a detox. Keep reading to find out the truth behind these myths and why detoxing might be just what your body is craving.
Myth # 1: You won’t enjoy anything you’re eating while on a detox.
While you might have to eliminate certain foods that you enjoy, detoxing isn’t all about eating lettuce with a drizzle of olive oil. There are many delicious recipes that can be prepared using healthy ingredients that not only taste amazing but nourish and improve your body's ability to eliminate stored toxins.
The best part is, many of them don’t involve any fancy ingredients and can be prepared even by a cooking novice. Participants and clients that go through my detoxification programs always discover new foods and recipes that they absolutely love that have become staples in their diets long after the detox ends.
Myth #2: You’ll constantly be hungry while detoxing.
While you might end up consuming fewer calories while following a detox, you shouldn’t feel deprived or hungry. Going on an extremely low-calorie diet can actually disrupt your hormones and metabolism, making your body less efficient in the long run. Eating too little is just as much of a stressor to your body as eating too much can be.
Everyone’s caloric needs are different, so a detox should never dictate how many calories you consume. By consuming whole foods that provide you with the right nutrients, you help detox your body while feeling satisfied. It takes a lot of enerfy for your body to detoxify so if you are constantly hungry on a food-based program, it may be a signal that you actually need to be eating more quantity of foods, more frequent meals, or an improved balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Myth #3: You need to do an all-liquid detox to remove toxins from your body. Liquid-only detoxes have had more than their fair share of popularity. While there are a lot of benefits that come with these types of detoxes they can also backfire. I am not a huge fan of liquids only detox programs unless it is a bone broth or water fast. Most people I encounter these days have a high level of stress and hormone imbalance which are both indicative that they need more of the right food as fuel to support their bodies better. This usually can't be achieved with liquids only intake.
Often with an all-liquid detox, not only do people often gain the weight back as soon as the detox ends, but such restrictive eating for several days can be detrimental to your health if this type of detox is not appropriate for you. This reason alone is why I don't usually recommend all-liquid detox programs for most people these days. An effective detox will include a variety of whole foods to help nourish your body and produce long-term results.
Myth #4: Detoxes are just a way for people to make money on expensive supplements. Supplements involved in a detox should be just that, a supplementary part of the program, not the primary source of your nutrition. While on a detox, you get most of your vitamins and minerals from whole-food sources.
Supplements may be recommended to help your body make the most of the nutrients it receives from these foods. For example, by including probiotics in your diet, you help your body produce vitamins, absorb minerals, and remove toxins from the body.
Aside from the benefits discussed above, detoxing is an incredibly effective way to identify possible food sensitivities, balance your hormones, and establish healthy habits for the long-term.
I’ve worked with detox participants who not only have lost weight and kept it off, but who have also seen their energy levels skyrocket, their skin clear up, and even their allergies disappear.
Check out my health programs for more options regarding detoxification programs. Here's to getting rid of those toxins burdening you!