Detox Diets 

The catchy phrase of “detox diets” is something that many of us are familiar with, but what do they actually mean and are they good for us? 

Detox diets have risen in popularity with the rise of social media and wellness culture. They often come with catchy phrases and promises such as “Drop 10 pounds in a week” or “Flush out your toxins” or “Balance your hormones”. As a basis, detox diets usually promise quick results through major dietary changes, claiming to “cleanse your gut”, boost your energy or promote rapid weight loss. These changes include diet such as juice or liquid cleanses / fasts, elimination of food groups (such as carbohydrates), or encouraging the use of herbal supplements or laxatives. But do these diets do as they claim, and are they effective?

Natural Detox 

With all the scary language around waste “building up” in your body, it’s natural to feel concerned. There is good news though; your body has a natural detox system. Your liver, kidneys, lungs, digestive tract and skin all have an important job of filtering and eliminating waste. 

Risks of Detox Diets 

Some detoxes pose no risk, however many can often do more harm than good. These are even more dangerous in those with pre-existing medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, GI issues or eating disorders. Potential risks include:

• Nutrient deficiencies 
• Blood sugar spikes 
• Digestive discomfort 
• Fatigue, headaches and dizziness 

Before engaging in any major dietary changes, make sure to consult your healthcare profession to ensure that it is right for you.

Alternatives to detoxing 

The best option is making changes to your daily habits that you are able to maintain long term and that will support your health, fuel your body and provide you with sustainable energy to keep you energised in your busy life. 5 great habits to make sure you are sticking to include 

1. Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water during the day ensure that your kidneys are able to properly function and flush out that waste that the diets are claiming you need a juice cleanse to do. Staying hydrated also aids in stabilising your metabolism 
2. Eating a fibre-rich diet: consuming foods high in fibre such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains help to support your digestive system and gut health and microbiome 
3. Reduced consumption of processed foods: Cut back on sugary drinks, fried foods, highly processed meats and ultra-processed foods 
4. Quality sleep routine: In our busy lives, sleep is often one of the first things we sacrifice when life gets busy, but getting enough sleep is crucial as it restores and regulates key functions while you catch those much-needed zzzzz’s. 
5. Move your body: Find a form of movement or exercise that works for you at stick with it. It can help improve circulation, supporting liver and lymphatic health

But something isn’t right – what should I do?

Sometimes being bloated, tired or having weight gain are symptoms or signs or something deeper. Whether that be food intolerances, hormonal changes or GI issues. If something is bothering you, it is important to talk to your doctor to see if investigations need to be undertaken. Doing detox diets can prolong the length of time it takes you to get to the root cause of the problem or can potentially make your problem worse.

Feeling better

While some people do feel better after a detox, it is often short-lived and often due to cutting out processed foods, high amounts of processed sugar or alcohol, which are often reintroduced shortly after. Instead, try instilling daily healthy habits to help you feel the best version of yourself.