They have become quite popular in the recent years, but also highly controversial. Some say they are extremely useful for flushing toxins out of your system, while others claim they are very risky and can even damage your body. Regardless of what side you are, you should be well informed and know all you can about detox cleanse programs.
What are you allowed to eat?
First things first, let’s have a look on what can you eat and what you can’t. Since there are lots of detox programs available, it depends on the rules of each of them. For example, some of them include fasting or allow you only to drink liquids. Others let you eat particular foods, such as only fruits and vegetables. Naturally, these work only for a short period of time, since your body cannot sustain such a lifestyle in the long run.
Are they safe?
There is no universal answer to this question. For a certain body and metabolism, any detox cleanse program can be safe, while for another it can be really damaging. Basically, it depends on what you are allowed to eat and for how long do you intend to sustain this plan. In general, you won’t feel good while your body is lacking calories. As such, you may feel hungry and weak, low on energy, on blood sugar, dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous.
Perhaps a safer and healthier alternative to a detox cleanse program is a type of diet based on fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains – something that should offer your body everything it needs. Combined with exercising, it will work wonders for your health.
Limitations
Needless to say, there are indeed lots of limitations. If up until now you did not monitor your diet carefully, when starting such a program this will be required. You have to keep an eye on what you are buying and what you are eating all the time. Generally, detox cleanse programs rely on a couple of foods repeated over and over again, so your shopping list will also be limited. You won’t need cooking either, since usually preparations for your dishes are minimal.
Do I need to exercise?
Though it is generally a great idea to exercise, in the case of a detox cleanse program it is not required. You may even not have the energy for this, since your body will not be receiving so many calories and you can even exhaust yourself. However, be very careful with the programs, and it would be a great idea to consult with your doctor before starting one of them, in order to be aware of all the risks and limitations of your own body.
