HEALTH - Detox dos and don’ts

So you’ve decided to give your digestive system a break by doing a detox. Good for you! But where to begin? Here’s what you should and shouldn’t be doing while detoxing.

DO ask a health professional

Consult your doctor or health professional before you begin a detox to ensure your body is equipped to handle it.

DON’T eat difficult to digest foods

The primary goal of detoxing is to take pressure off the liver, kidney and bowel function – and you do this by forgoing foods that are difficult to digest. "Eliminate processed foods and ones that contain chemicals, preservatives and additives, caffeine, alcohol and sugar,” says Lee Holmes, author of Supercharged Food. “Eliminating gluten, wheat, yeast and dairy is also helpful during a detox," Holmes suggests.

DO eat natural whole foods

Eliminating foods doesn’t mean going hungry! While detoxing you’re encouraged to consume fresh whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, eggs, legumes, olive oil, raw nuts and seeds. “A diet of delicious whole foods will allow you to feel satisfied while still supporting your body to cleanse and heal,” says Alex Jamieson, author of The Great American Detox Diet.

DO drink water

Keeping up your H20 intake when detoxing assists with flushing the system of toxins. Holmes recommends “drinking lots of water throughout the day as this will aid in digestion and elimination." Holmes also suggests starting the day with lemon infused hot water. “This stimulates the release of enzymes that can clean out the digestive tract, rid the body of toxins and cleanse the liver.“

DON’T be alarmed by your body’s reaction

Dizziness, headaches, skin eruptions and fatigue are all detox by-products. Kimberly Snyder, nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox Solutions explains, “You may experience the "worse before better" scenario, but the good news is that your body is ridding itself of toxins that were holding it back from perfect balance.” If passing waste is problematic, try introducing a fibre supplement.

DO exercise gently

During a detox is not the time to undergo a rigorous, sweaty workout session. “Detoxes generally don’t provide the extra fuel needed for exercise. As a result, doing exercise can leave you feeling tired, dizzy, and nauseous,” says dietician Cynthia Sass. Instead, aim for half an hour of gentle movement like yoga or walking.

DON’T impose time limits

Generally a detox lasts between one to five days – however there are no hard and fast rules. "Everyone is starting at a different place when they go into a cleanse, and may react in a different way," says Snyder. Listen to your body and do what feels right.

DON'T give in to cravings

Fight that mid-detox hankering for fatty or sugary foods! "Eating junk food may make you feel better, but it will cause the toxins to be redistributed back into your system," says Jessica Ainscough founder of The Wellness Warrior. Post-detox, it’s also important not to fall back into old habits. Stick with a predominantly whole food diet and gradually reintroduce the foods you eliminated during the detox.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/