Detox before diet

There is a very long closed thread on detox recently where I posted my experiences.
I didn't do a detox before starting to improve my eating habits, I did one when I was just feeling crummy...and I wanted to see if that feeling was related to what I was eating. As it turns out, I felt fantastic after the detox and it changed the way I ate considerably.

The practitioner who supervised this program was Dr. Judy Fulop is who is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, has spent 10 years with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 8 years with Cancer Treatment Centers of America and 4 years with St. Joseph Hospital.

I would recommend that if you chose do to a "detox", you look for one which is medically supervised. I described my experience in some detail and that might provide you with some ideas/guidelines.

"Detox" is a broad term and there are lots of different ways to approach detoxes. Most of what I read in magazines is stuff which Dr. Fulop did not advise.

Your liver and kidneys do a fine job of detoxing you daily. Nothing more is needed.

Thanks for saving me the trouble


NO.

Thanks for saving me the trouble


NO.

I am having deja vu.... I think we've all been here before.....:ohwell:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/821828-detoxes-and-cleanses
Edit to drop link... Again.

Hi everyone, A question. Do any of you do any type of detox before the actual diet? I know many diets have phases, most of which have this detox first stage. What type of detox do you do? Thanks!

I don't detox and I don't diet. I simply work to eat at a calorie deficit. MFP is a perfect tool for keeping track of exercise and food because it enables me NOT to have to use my math skills, which are horrible.

no. still addicted to sugar and caffeine and I still have "chemicals" all up in my bizniz. I am 62 lbs lighter though.

Some diet plans recommend a detox period for the psychological boost people get from dropping the water weight. You'll honestly drop some water weight anyway when you begin. However, for some people, having an exact plan to follow for a few days gets them in the right frame of mind. For others, it drives them crazy and makes them crack and binge halfway through or the instant the phase is over. Other than that, barring specific medical needs, there probably isn't any real benefit. I wouldn't follow any kind of plan that isn't nutritionally complete though. Any phase that makes you get inadequate protein, fat, or whatever else, even for a day, isn't one I would want to follow.

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LMAO love that one!


The reason I asked about detoxing is I've heard doing this, helping us wean off "bad stuff like sugar and caffeine. Both of which sadly addicted to ... Someone suggested to me a 7 day detox plan to kick start my diet. Basically having chicken soup for a week + raw vegetables and cooked chicken. Buuut if no detox is needed, then that's all I need to know. Thanks!
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Wow... usually this gets ugly really fast. THUMBS UP OP! :drinker:

Detoxes and cleanses are pretty much garbage, in respect that we have organs which do a great job in detoxing our system.

The idea of a structured plan to help ease you into healthy eating is something that I do support. I find that it helps kick start the process, and helps when you start to lose motivation. Tons of personal trainers, and nutritional experts will offer meal suggestions and structured plans that can help you out.

Meal plans that restrict your meals to only a few specific food items are also garbage, look for meal plans that offer variety and are realistic for everyday life. You don't need to shock your system with severe calorie deficits to begin a healthy eating path.

I like the basis behind the 21 Day Sugar Detox - you are encouraged to eat what you need, and gives you a food list of low sugar foods. It's not unrealistic, and it encourages healthy whole foods. While I don't think detoxes are necessary, this plan is a decent starting point for encouraging healthy eating and can be modified to work with your life.

Haha, the graphic halfway down made me giggle.

That being said, I'd encourage you to try a 1-2 day water-only fast before embarking on your new healthy eating plan. This is not to "detox" or "jump-start" your weight loss, though it *might* do both of those things. In my experience, it allows you to refocus, eliminate cravings for sugar or other detrimental foods, and helps to regulate your appetite. If you are female, it anecdotally reduces or eliminates PMS symptoms. (It certainly did for me...I've even ended up in the ER once due to fainting from PMS symptoms, and now I have none). Also, people often find that they effortlessly choose healthier foods after the fast. I usually do a 1-day water fast 2-4 times per month and it's definitely helped me stay on track with my eating.

Of course, it's not for everyone, but if you're looking for a way to set the stage for your healthier diet, you might want to consider it. Unless you are Type-1 diabetic or lack the gene that allows you to metabolize fatty acids, there are no dangers or short- or long-term health detriments for a short water fast.