This article first appeared on OYT May 15, 2018. It was Elizabeth's first blog post for us.
By Elizabeth Magee, RD LRD
“I need a diet re-set!”
“My wedding is in 6 weeks and I still have a few pounds that won’t come off!”
“I’ve been stressed and binging on junk food!!”
“You should try a DETOX!!! You’ll feel great!! I just finished one!!”
Celebrities are doing it so its fine, right? It’s a quick way to get results and feel better. What could go wrong?
But are they safe? Do they work? Should you try one?
Detox diets can vary from fasting to a strict diet of fruits and vegetables or juicing to lemonade mixed with cayenne pepper and maple syrup to the super extreme coffee enema… espresso anyone?
Let’s go over the pros and cons of a detox diet
Cons
- Not successful long term (because it’s not realistic to follow this long term, not enough calories/lack of nutrients)
- They can be hard to work into your family lifestyle, let alone your normal daily routine
- Dehydration, cramping, diarrhea, bloating, uncomfortable gas, decreased energy
- There is little evidence that toxins are eliminated from your body
- Blood sugar issues
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Long term detoxes could lead to muscle breakdown
- Loss of focus
- Not effective for long term weight loss
- Weakened immune system
- Loss of energy
- Inadequate protein intake
Pros
- You might incorporate more fruits and veggies in your diet (and even find out you like them)
- May jump start weight loss
- Could help identify food sensitivities
Detoxes can be dangerous. But some people say they feel so much better after starting one. Are they feeling better from the detox diet, or feeling better because they’ve eliminated a lot of the foods that aren’t necessarily involved in a healthy diet (fried foods, unhealthy fast food choices, giant portions, candy, cookies, etc.)? Feeling better and more energized might be coming from incorporating better daily choices; more foods we’re supposed to be eating on a regular basis. The detox may have just detoxed unhealthy choices that had become a habit. Sometimes it takes us feeling better to realize we weren’t feeling great in the first place.
The choice to detox is certainly a personal one. As someone who would struggle to follow any diet other than, “All things in moderation” it certainly isn’t for me. Our kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin are working all day every day to get those toxins out, to DETOX us – that’s their job and I’m counting on them. Chips and salsa are a staple in my diet. I don’t want to even think about giving that up.
I encourage people to eat the foods that make us feel good, energetic, happy and healthy. More fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, low fat dairy and whole grains are proven to be the base of a healthy diet. Watching our portions and moderation are a safe way to be healthy, while still working in a treat or two.