To detox or not?

Along with many other I will be joining in with a pre-Christmas diet or detox this year. But what does detox exactly mean? Well the dictionary definition says:

de·tox·i·fy (d-tks-f)

v.

1. To counteract or destroy the toxic properties of a substance.

2. To remove the effects of poison from something, such as the blood.

3. To treat a person for alcohol or drug dependence, usually under a medically supervised program designed to rid the body of intoxicating or addictive substances.

Although detoxification is an ongoing process within the body, various substances found in abundance in the modern diet can hinder the process and eventually affect other systems in the body.

We can all think of many substances that we eat or drink that may fit into this criteria i.e. caffeine and alcohol. A little time out from these seems a good idea and could help you feel better and to lose weight.

There are also some less obvious substances that we could perhaps benefit from avoiding for a short while. These are things that we get easily addicted to and which are not beneficial in excess, such as sugar, saturated fats, refined carbohydrates and salt. It is quite easy to get addicted to having excessive quantities of these in your diet and it is equally harmful to follow this diet long term.

So in summary a detox is where you give your body time out and stick to fresh fruit, vegetables, lean protein, wholegrain carbohydrates plus plenty of water and herbal teas. This may be a good short terms plan to enable your body to break habits and to develop a more balanced diet long term.

NB: Remember before you embark on any diet plan do not do so if you have any long term condition or illness. Check with your GP first to ensure it is safe for you.