A detox program could be the best option for you if you want to start living a healthier lifestyle and eliminate the dangerous chemicals from your body. For a long time, detox services have become the talk of the town, but they are often misunderstood, primarily because our bodies already have a detoxification mechanism.

It would be better to know how detox works to clarify inevitable confusion. Also, certain foods should be avoided during any detox program to produce the best results. The foods to avoid are listed below.

What Is a Detox Program?

Detox programs help you get rid of toxins, improve your health, and lose weight. Laxatives, diuretics, vitamins, minerals, teas, and other foods with detoxifying properties are often used. In the sense of detox diets, the word “toxin” is a misleading term.

Furthermore, each detox regime varies from each other, but they generally include a time of fasting followed by a strict diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, and fruit juices, as well as plenty of water. Some detox diets recommend colon cleansing (enemas) combined with herbs and other nutrients to clear the intestines.

You need to know several things before trying any detox program, such as the food you need to avoid while you are in the program. Listed below are those things you need to avoid to get the ultimate results.

Things You Should Avoid

Here are some of the foods that you must avoid during your detox program. Make sure to check it one after the other.

Alcohol

The fact that drinking alcohol is never healthy explains a lot. Alcohol damages the liver and lowers the levels of detoxifying minerals like zinc and magnesium. There are a lot of negative impacts of alcohol on the body. Your goal why you started to do a detox program is to release the toxic chemicals inside your body, and of course, to lose weight and be healthy.

However, the effect will be the opposite when you drink alcohol. Bear in mind that alcohol can also lead to addiction, alcohol addiction as what we all know. If this happens to you, you’re dealing not only with toxins in your body but also with withdrawal symptoms from your addiction.

Processed Food

Processed food doesn’t always mean that it has negative impacts on our body. Frozen fruits and vegetables are also considered processed foods. However, the problem starts with those heavily processed foods. You can find salt, sugar, bad fats, and artificial additives in processed, packaged, and frozen foods. 

It would help if you avoided this while in a detox program because you are destroying it even more rather than improving your health. Stay away from it if you can. Besides, other snacks are way healthier compared to processed foods.

Furthermore, as a healthy alternative to chips, sweets, and cookies, consider snacking on nuts and seeds. Sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and cashews are all alkalinizing foods. Apple cider vinegar and olive oil with lemon are better alternatives to store-bought dressings.

Refined Sugar

Excessive consumption of refined sugars can cause headaches, fatigue, and inflammation. Cutting sugar from your diet would most likely reduce inflammation, increase stamina, and boost your ability to concentrate.

Furthermore, cutting sugar from your diet will help you lose weight, boost your health, and even improve your skin’s appearance. If you can’t stand a day without tasting something sweet, you can try fresh fruits or stevia based-sweetener.

Coffee

A detox program helps your primary removal organs, such as your liver, colon, kidneys, and skin, to effectively remove toxins and waste matter that have built up in your fat tissues.

Whatever detox diet you select, there is one crucial aspect that many detox diet articles overlook: the value of avoiding caffeine during your detox program for a successful liver cleanse.

However, a caffeine-free coffee substitute that includes freshly brewed chicory improves the health benefits of your detox diet. Chicory is a bitter herb that helps to cleanse the liver by stimulating the liver and gallbladder. Chicory also produces inulin, a prebiotic and soluble fiber that maintains a stable population of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and colon.

Refined Flavor

Artificial flavoring and preservative is a big no when you are in your detox program’s progress because it carries out chemicals that may hinder you from releasing the toxins inside your body. 

Instead of eating foods with refined flavor or any foods with preservatives, try eating natural foods like fruits. By doing so, you will support your detox program and make yourself healthier because of the nutrients from the fruits you eat.

Diary Products

Dairy products such as milk are acidic in the body, resulting in slowed detoxification and impaired cell function. You should avoid dairy products because they will hamper your goal to detoxify your body.

Furthermore, there are alternatives that you can try and use, such as soy milk and “cheese” products, nut “milk” made from almonds or cashews, and rice and oat “milk” products.

Wheat or Gluten Products

Some health practitioners recommend removing gluten from the diet to better treat and reverse several medical problems, as well as for a short-term cleanse. Wheat damages the intestine lining, resulting in nutritional deficiencies. The gluten from wheat irritates the gut, causing bloating, indigestion, and constipation.

In general, cleanse diets can vary from those that substitute a couple of regular meals with organic juices to more restrictive food. It can last between hours to months. Any cleanse that lasts longer than two days should be under the supervision of a doctor.

Furthermore, to adopt a gluten-free diet, you must avoid wheat and a few other grains while substituting nutrient-dense foods.

Takeaway

If you ever decide to go on a detox diet, you may want to use it as a starting point to begin making healthy food decisions daily. Ultimately, remember that fad diets aren’t a healthy alternative. Your best bet for long-term results is to eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources.