What does detox mean? Many people embark on a detox journey without knowing what it entails. With so much information available online about detox, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. There are different schools of thought about cleansing and detox. Some argue its effectiveness, while others swear by its benefits.
That being said, rebooting your system can never truly fail as a method to help your body heal. However, it should be done mindfully, knowing full well of what you are getting into. But due to lack of correct information, many people think that detox is same as crash-dieting that actually does more harm than good.
By now we all know that restrictive diets are neither sustainable nor advisable. Our body is pretty self-sufficient in doing the job that it is meant to do. But that doesn’t mean our body does not need a maintenance break every once in a while.
When you embark on a healthy detox journey, you need to support your body in naturally expelling the toxins. It is about making a lifestyle change and making conscious dietary decisions. Detox is often treated as the opposite of overindulgence which is a wrong approach. So, if you are new to detoxing and need expert help in knowing how to do this in a safe and healthy way, then you have come to the right place.
The experts at MicrobeFormulas.com advise you to seek professional guidance and ask the following questions before getting started with the detox plan.
What is a good time to start detox?
The best time to start detox is when you feel that your body is not functioning optimally or if you have been craving salts or sugars a lot lately. It is also a healthy way to uplift your mood and energy levels. Some experts also recommend that changing seasons is also a good time to get on a detox plan. You can reset your body by feeding it nourishing meals and by preparing it for the upcoming season.
How to Choose the right detox plan?
This is a very important question that your guide should answer only after assessing your lifestyle. If you are a single person with no responsibilities such as kids or a full-time job, then you can consider juice cleansing. However, it is always better to detoxify your body with whole foods and vegetables to retain your energy while you are at it. You can also include supplements in your diet to complete the body’s nutrient requirement.
Research the available detox programs and choose the ones that suit your lifestyle. Only consume organic whole foods to get maximum nutrients, take your supplements, and pick the program that you can actually sustain.
What Should the Detox Program entail?
The experts recommend that the best detox program is the one that not only heals your body but also your mind. The diet during this period should be organic, preferably plant-based, and made up of whole foods and supplements. Make sure your detox program has a small window for unwinding with a cup of tea in the evening. These little transgressions do not sabotage the program but help you stay committed to your routine.
The detox plan that you choose should be accompanied by guidelines. You should be looking forward to the journey, excited to try new foods, and trying new workouts. While it is important to not obsess over food so much, it is also crucial to follow a strict regime of avoiding allergens such as gluten, dairy, additives, and sugar.
You should also keep your diet as protein-rich as possible. Vegetarians can consume a plant-based diet, but the non-vegetarians should source their meat from organic, grass-fed animals. It is very important to eat unprocessed foods for maximum health benefits from this program.
When you are on a detox plan, try and find the ingredients and foods that can help your body eliminate the toxins and to help you with the healing process.
What to avoid?
When you are on a detox plan, avoid the urge to make extreme changes in your lifestyle. These are not only unsustainable but often overwhelm you by imposing too many restrictions on your eating habits. It is not realistic for anyone to micro-assess the food they are eating, especially if you have a full-time job and other responsibilities.
Additionally, while your body is in the healing mode, you should be extra supportive in helping your body dispel all toxins and clean you from within. Don’t do anything that your doctor doesn’t know of. Always keep your doctor or a professional in the loop when following such strict plans.
Benefits of Full Body Detox
Now finally to the fruits of labor! Detox has many benefits and this why people do it in the first place. There are many ways to cleanse your body but the most effective plan is the one that you can follow with all earnestness. If you do maintain your detox plan till the end, then you can reap the following benefits:
- Weight loss: Don’t get on a detox diet just to lose weight. However, it is a good practice to kick-start the process. Detoxing can help in not only shaving off pounds but also help maintain them.
- Feel Energetic: One of the most noticeable benefits of detox is an improvement in energy levels. You will feel more active when you remove energy sucking sources such as caffeine and sugar from the diet.
- Toxin Removal: This one goes without saying, but detox helps remove toxins and also purify your organs for better functioning. Detoxification also gives rest to those organs that are responsible for removing waste from your body, such as liver, kidney etc.
- Improved immunity: When your body is in detox mode, it is able to absorb more nutrients and make your immune system stronger.
Once you have finished your detox plan, you can continue to reap its benefits by maintaining the good habits. You can make a gradual lifestyle change for these effects to be long-lasting.