5 steps to a Successful Detoxification Diet

If you’ve been over indulging you may have heard a detoxification diet (or detox) could be a away to get back in balance.  I thought we might explore detox diets a little more closely by discussing what a detox or cleanse diet is, what it claims to do, and what you can expect to gain from it.

What is a detox diet?

A detox diet generally means that you consume only fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies for a set period of time.  This can be from 2 days to several weeks.  The DETOX that I promote offers foods across all food groups so it can be maintained long term.  There are many, many variations of the detox diet so we need to consider what our body needs before we decide how long we should detox for.  Some have nutritional support in vitamin and mineral tablets, some have added fibre.  Some are purely food based like my 28 Day Real Food Detox.  Pick the DETOX approach that meets your needs.

What does a successful detox claim to do?

Often we hear that detox diets will ‘remove toxins’.  Sounds wonderful doesn’t it but designers of detox diets are not in agreement on which toxin is removed, or how.  I haven’t actually found researching the type of toxin that will be cleansed – or the effectiveness of this claim.   They might also claim to improve your energy levels,  rid you of disease,  help you lose weight and reset your metabolism.  Sign me up to that!  However, all that glitters is not gold.

Consider an eating approach that removes artificial and liver loading things like caffeine, alcohol, dairy, estrogenic foods (soy, eggs for example).  Additionally the approach should eliminate processed foods, be low in salt and sugar.  This would make digestion really easy as these are known to be liver loaders and it is highly beneficial to reduce the load on your liver!  Removing toxins ?  I’m just not sure what this means.  The other health claims should also be clarified.  My rather cynical view is that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  Great health comes from healthy living for more than a few days .  

What you can expect to gain from a successful detox

I think it’s fair to say you can expect to feel hungry on a detox diet.  I’d like to clarify that I don’t actually have a problem with people feeling hungry, in fact with my weight loss clients I actively promote ‘driving with the orange fuel light on (an analogy to explain the car won’t run out of fuel if you drive it with the orange light on – and nor will your body).  Intermittent fasting also has a large body of research behind it to support it’s inclusion in any nutrition plan.  The health benefits of intermittent fasting are very valuable.  Hunger will happen on a detox diet.  Without slower release carbohydrates in the body and without protein you will feel a little hungry as these are our satiety macro-nutrients.   You might lose weight.   Digestion will ease – you should not be feeling constipated.  How long you go on the detox will determine future energy levels.  If you are doing a fruit and veg detox for a few weeks you may become nutritionally deficient.  My 28 Day Real Food Approach is designed to be long term as it does not eliminate animal based protein or rice and pasta.  You will be eating a lot less meat though and the final week of the approach is plant based.  Feel the difference in your energy systems and improved digestion and gradually add animal protein back into you diet in the maintenance phase, which is after the 28 days. 

There’s a bit to consider when undertaking a detox diet.

I’d like you to understand that it does not replace sensible eating but it can teach you about planning, preparation, and making time to focus on your nutrition.  Use it as a reset.  Use it as a first step to improving digestion and fill your body with nutrient rich fruits and vegetables.  Here’s my top 5 tips to help you succeed at your detox diet:

1)  select the detox diet of your choice about 2 weeks before you are ready to start

2)  check out all the recipes, do you like the food?  If not choose another

3)  reduce / remove caffeine, alcohol, sugar a week before you start

4)  create a shopping list a few days before you start

5) have a dedicated afternoon to make or prepare any foods you can in advance

Don’t start this at times when you know eating and drinking are going to be a little weird – like Christmas time or when you are travelling overseas.  Select the ‘when’ at a time you know you can achieve it.

There is nothing magical about a detox diet, but by eliminating some of the digestive irritants like caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt and processed food you’ll be well on the way to a sustainable healthy eating plan.

Why not download the FREE 5 minute health check – explore your health and vitality ⬇️and see if you would benefit from the 28 Day Real Food Detox?

Armed with your results from the health check you can proceed with my 28 Day Real Food Detox.  You’ll be motivated and focused, as you have a way to measure its success!

 This offer includes:
✅  50 recipes – delivered on downloadable PDF form suitable for any PC, phone or tablet

✅   Access to our private Facebook group 

✅   Monthly live group coaching calls 

✅   Lifetime access to recipes, meal plans and shopping lists

✅  and 12 months access to our private Facebook community

Ready to buy??  ????????   

Need more support than an online nutrition program offers?

If you’d prefer private 1 on 1 health coaching sessions (in person or online) just reach out!   

 Jo Cordell-Cooper is an award winning Women’s personal trainer.  In her business Jo CC Holistic PT she offers personal training, stress management strategies, online nutrtion, preparation for hiking workouts, and adventure travel to multi-day hikes, locally and overseas.  Jo is a mindfulness coach.  She is based in Geilston Bay, just east of Hobart, but you can work with her online too.  Join us on facebook in my free group Holistic Hiker for more healthy lifestyle tips and tricks.