I’m pretty sure you have heard of detoxing, as it has been a big trend in recent years. There are a variety of supplements, teas, herbs and drink mixtures out there that claim to “cleanse” and “detox the body.
So what exactly does detox mean???
Detox:
A change in eating habits that allows your body to eliminate toxins and other contaminants that we are exposed to on a daily basis.
Every day we are exposed to numerous environmental toxins through the food and drink we consume, the air we breathe and the chemicals we absorb through our skin. The great news is that our bodies are amazing in the fact that they have the ability to detoxify themselves through vital organs such as our liver and kidneys.
In theory, the idea of doing a detox is good but you want to make sure you are doing it in a healthy way. Before you decide to participate in a detox be sure to consult with your primary care physician and do your research. Some detoxes can be very strict and are not ideal to adhere to for extended periods of time without actually causing more harm than good. Strict detoxes can lead to low blood sugar, low energy and feeling light-headed.
If you really want to “detox” your body the best method would be to develop clean eating habits that eventually lead to a lifestyle shift.
Think about it, if you decide to do a detox and right after you finish you go right back to the same poor eating habits; is it really going to be a great benefit to your overall health? The key to developing healthy eating habits is to be mindful of what you are putting in your body on a regular basis.
This doesn’t mean you have to totally deprive yourself of foods you like but the key is to limit the amount of processed food you consume and instead use fresh ingredients full of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly.
Developing clean eating habits can be tough at first but the benefits are rewarding. In order to eat clean you want to eliminate the amount of processed food, refined sugars and fatty meats you consume and eat more fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean sources of protein. You also want to make sure you are drinking plenty of water, it is recommended to drink half your body weight in ounces per day.
The following are just a few of the many benefits of clean eating:
Weight Loss:
Eliminating the amount of unhealthy foods you eat will naturally help you to start losing weight. Couple this with regular physical activity and watch the weight fall off!
Glowing Skin:
Great skin comes from within! Eating health and drinking plenty of water on top of your daily skincare routine will have your skin glowing in no time!
Increased Energy:
Eating a balanced diet will help to regulate your blood sugar which in turn will help with your energy levels. Not mention you will be consuming nutrients needed to help your cells produce fuel needed for energy.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases:
Research has shown that limiting the amounts of processed food, refined sugar and saturated fats can help reduce your risk of developing Type II Diabetes, heart disease, cancer and arthritis.
Supports Healthy Cells:
Our body has trillions of cells that make us who we are and eating healthy helps them to function properly. Disease occurs when the body is no longer in homeostasis or in other words not balanced. By developing healthy eating habits, we help keep our cells performing at their best.
Improving your eating habits requires a mental shift and will indeed be tough at times. The key to making a lifestyle change is small modifications over time. If you try to completely change everything all at once it can be frustrating and more than likely you will give up.
Just remember if at first you don’t succeed, just try again!
We all fall off track at times but the key is getting back in the race.
Find Health in Every day,
Dr. Lindsay
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