DETOX DIET IDEAS - A True Bonaza

There are several types of detox diets. There are those in which you can only eat fruits and vegetables, those in which you can only eat “clean” foods, those in which you can only drink fruit and vegetable juice, and the most extreme type where you can only drink water. You can also do specialized cleanses designed specifically for certain area of the body, for instance the liver, kidneys, blood or lungs. However, most detox diets just involve cleansing the entire body. Below, there is a sample of a seven day detox diet that you can try.

First of all, it is important that you have regular bowel movements during a detox because this will lessen the likelihood of toxins being reabsorbed by the body. A good way to make sure you will eliminate regularly is to take 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds in lemon water in the morning, and drink lemon water throughout the day. Flax seeds provide the body with fiber and lemon water has a slightly laxative effect.

It is also important to drink enough fluids on a cleanse. You should try to include at least 8 glasses of water daily to ensure that you are allowing toxins to be flushed out.

A sample menu of a detox diet follows below. This is a diet that allows some food, since this tends to be easier for beginners. Remember, you can modify this to fit your needs and preferences.

UPON RISING

·1/2 lemon squeezed into a glass of warm water
·1 tablespoon of bentonite clay and 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds in a glass of water

BREAKFAST

·breakfast smoothie made with pear, rice milk and rice protein powder
·supplements: vitamin C

SNACKS

·apple juice diluted with water
·water
·vegetable broth
·supplements: milk thistle
·celery sticks and hummus

LUNCH

·chunky vegetable soup made with vegetable stock and your choice of vegetables
·steamed broccoli with sesame seeds and beets sprinkled with lemon juice on brown rice
·apple sauce
·supplements: multivitamin

SNACKS

·dandelion root tea
·carrot sticks with hummus dip
·water
·supplements: milk thistle

DINNER

·curried lentils on quinoa
·salad with mixed greens, red peppers, artichokes and sprouts drizzled with salad dressing of garlic, lemon juice and olive oil
·vegetable broth

BEFORE BED

·1 tablespoon of bentonite clay and 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds in a glass of water

This can be followed for up to seven days. Have fun, and remember to be careful, because while you should expect to feel sluggish and slightly ill, if you are feeling very ill or fatigued, contact your doctor.
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DETOX DIETS - Why You Need To Go On A Detox Diet

Detox Diets are the last craze in dieting, thats why the number of people searching for detox diets is growing everyday.

You may have heard about toxins, detoxification, cleansing, purifying, they are all related to detox diets.

Toxins are harmful chemicals affecting your body. They are all around you (in your food, water, air) and inside you (as waste products of metabolism). Your body eliminates most toxins and the rest are stored within body fat.

These stored toxins combined with stress can affect your health in very unpleasant ways:

– weight gain
– headaches
– feelings of fatigue and weakness
– heartburn
– sore muscles and skin
– joint pains

These symptoms will fade when you start detox. Well, you may feel some discomfort in the very first days, but that is a normal body reaction.

You may feel headache or sore muscles, but that is because the toxins are released faster then your body can eliminate them. These symptoms will not occur again if you detox regularly.

Detox and Weight Loss

Detoxification is the process of releasing and expelling the stored toxins through the elimination organs of your body – the intestines, liver, lungs, kidneys and skin.

Detox Diets are dietary nutritious plans that use detoxification, which helps you lose weight by cleansing out your body and improving your metabolism.

Detox and Disease Prevention

Detox Diets are recommended for improving resistance to disease, mental state, digestion, strengthens the organs involved in detox.

Detox Diets can help prevent serious diseases such as cancer, ADD, ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivities, as well as treat heart disease, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease.

Detox Foods

Detox Diets recommend consumption of foods that are beneficial for your health and essential to weight loss – organic foods, fruits and vegetables.

You should drink purified water and cut back on processed foods, as well as give up alcohol and smoking.

You should know

Detox Diets are quite restrictive and once you start a detox diet, you should follow it strictly. Detox Diets are safe, but you should consult your doctor before starting.

Types of Detox Diets

Fasting – drinking only water, juices or broths, or eating one kind of food for a certain period of time. Your body starts burning fat for energy.

Nutritional supplements – intake of nutritious powders, vitamins and packaged protein snacks.

Hydrotherapy – detoxifying through your skin pores by taking special baths.

Specific detox diets – last between 7 and 30 days; there are quick detox diets for one and three days, and long detox diets for 8 weeks.
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A Guide TO DETOX PRODUCTS AND DIETS

More often than we want to, instances happen wherein problems of almost every kind simultaneously pour in; piles of workload to finish in a short span of time, rare illness or death in the family, inadequate money to pay for bills, and the like can occur all at the same time. In times like these, you just want to hide under your sheets and pray that the gods transport you in a utopian dream and be back only until everything is settled. Since teleportation to paradise is highly improbable, you really have no choice but to face the reality (no matter how distasteful it may be). But, after the storms have passed, you’re too stressed beyond imagination. On top of everything, you notice how your skin looks incredibly dull and lifeless and how your energy level and immune system has dropped. What should a sensible person do? Well, for one, you should boost your youthful glow once again by using certain detox products aimed at improving your damaged skin. Following a detox diet, on the other hand, can help you in regaining lost vital nutrients.

Did you know that detox products are no longer seen as paraphernalia for vanity’s sake but are for legitimate needs? Since it is a need, you should not feel guilty for purchasing stuff that can revive your energy and make you feel well. Detox kits, which are available in wide array of varieties, are made of select herbs and other organic ingredients with cleansing and purifying properties. If you are a habitual drinker, you should definitely try detoxification diets or products specifically aimed at eliminating traces of alcohol in your system. But you should also make sure to avoid, as much as possible, drinking alcohol after your detox program. Detoxification diets and products are available not only to cleanse our systems, but also to teach us a thing or two about self-discipline.

A particular nutritionist, who has an article published in the internet, said you should not wait until your body sends telltale signs (such as problems pertaining to digestion) before doing something about it. Excessive amounts of alcohol in the body, if not thoroughly eliminated, can cause serious dysfunction of your internal organs, especially the liver and colon. Detox diet programs for alcohol drinkers include staying away from liquors for a certain period of time. Aside from following a specific diet, you can try taking detox products in order to cleanse your system even if you are not a habitual drinker. Nutritionists want you to remember that there are several causes of impurities aside from alcohol and cigarettes. Everyday, people encounter all kinds of pollutants that bring harm to their bodies. That is precisely why you need to undergo detoxification no matter how ‘healthy’ you think you are.
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Simple Way To Cut Your Calorie Intake

Healthy eating is key when you want to lose weight. You must also make a commitment to yourself to get a little exercise each day, and to cut your calorie intake. Believe it or not, you can actually cut calories out of your diet and you will hardly notice the difference. If you want to learn how to cut your calorie intake, then consider the following tips.

Switch to diet colas: You may shudder at the thought of drinking diet colas, but you can save up to 100 calories when you make the switch from regular to diet. In fact, once you get use to the taste of diet colas, you will like the taste better. You will save a ton of calories with diet colas.

Switch to skim milk: Skim milk tastes good and it will save you calories and fat. If you have been drinking whole milk for a long time, you will probably notice a difference in the taste and texture, however, it is still tasty. You can use skim milk in all of your recipes, too.

Bake instead of fry: Just about anything you normally fry can taste just as good when you bake it. Frozen French fries, tator tots and chicken nuggets are great when baked in the oven. It is not difficult to bake instead of fry. You will need to spray the food with cooking oil and cook at a high temperature to make it crispy and crunchy. You will save quite a few calories when you use the oven instead of the fryer.

Look at sugar alternatives: You may have heard a lot about sugar alternatives such as Splenda. Some people think they are bad for you and while there is no conclusive evidence, you may want to do some research. However, the great thing about sugar alternatives is that it does save on calories. For example, you can use these substitutes in all of your recipes that normally call for sugar. Many of the lower calorie products you buy today, such as fruit juice, will also contain sugar substitutes.

Use low fat dairy: There are lots of low fat options when it comes to dairy products and they do not taste any different. Low fat cheese is a popular choice and holds up well in most recipes. You can also use low fat or fat free sour cream and cream cheese. These all taste good and you will hardly notice the difference. You will save calories.

Use low fat salad dressings: Another great low calorie option is low fat or fat free salad dressings. Salad dressings already have a lot of flavoring, so using them on your salad will keep it tasting great and save you calories. You can also marinate meats in low fat or fat free Italian dressing and save on calories. These are great alternatives to high fat sauces.

When you want to save on calories, then think about these low calorie alternatives. When you learn how to eat low fat, you may find that you can lose weight, too. That is an added benefit of eating low calorie

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Easy Way For Cutting Sugar Out of Your Diet

There are many reasons why you may want to cut the sugar (or at least some of the sugar) out of your diet. For one, too much sugar causes health problems. If you are diabetic, or concerned about diabetes, then you will need to limit your sugar intake everyday. Too much sugar may also lead to tooth decay. Of course, everyone knows that too many sweets and sugary foods will also lead to weight gain and obesity.

When looking at diets and ways of cutting sugar out of your diet, you will see that there are several ways of doing this. Diet fads such as South Beach, Sugar Busters and Atkins all concentrate on limiting sugar intake. There are also different kinds of sugar and you will need to know the differences. For example, refined sugar is the white sugar you normally add to your coffee or to your baked products. This kind of sugar is not as healthy for you as natural types of sugar such as honey, or those derived from fruits. You will have to decide if you wish to cut all sugar from your diet or just refined sugar.

Here are some tips for cutting or eliminating sugar from your diet.

Read the labels: Reading the labels on what you buy will help you become aware of the amount of sugar you are eating. You may think that some foods are relatively healthy until you look at the sugar content. Even low fat or no fat foods can contain a very high amount of sugar. Read the labels carefully so you know exactly what you are eating.

Stop adding sugar to your foods: This is the most common mistake people make when they are trying to cut sugar. If you get in the habit of adding sugar to whatever you are eating, it can pack on the pounds. For example, learn to enjoy tea and coffee without the sugar. Don't add sugar to your oatmeal or cereal. Take the sugar bowl off the table.

Reduce your carbs: You don't have to follow a strict no carbs diet, but you must remember that refined or processed carbs will convert to sugar when you eat it. This means that breads, pastas and other snacks that are made with refined (or white) flour, are your worst diet enemies. To combat this, try whole wheat products instead.

Have a varied diet: This is important. You need a varied diet and this will help you reduce your sugar intake. Look for foods that are in all food groups and don't forget that foods come in all colors. One diet expert recommends that you shop according to color. Concentrate on a rainbow of colors when you buy foods. You will get more fresh fruits and vegetables and less refined products when you shop with this mentality.

Think about other sources of sugar: While natural sugars such as raw sugar or honey are better for you than refined sugar, your body really does not know the difference. Therefore, you need to be aware of your total sugar intake, even from fruits and natural fruit juices. You will also want to use artificial sweeteners sparingly.

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Counting Fat or Calories: Know What is more Important?

If you want to lose weight, then you know that there are a lot of diets out there. Some diets will tell you that the best way to lose weight is to cut calories. Other diets will tell you that calories don't matter?you should watch your fat intake instead. This can leave any dieter confused about how to lose the weight. If you are wondering whether you should watch your fat or calorie intake, here is a little information to help you decide which is right for you.

Fat or calories?

So you want to lose weight and you are not sure of the best way to do it. Do you cut fat or do your cut calories? You have probably heard conflicting information about the two. There are many products on the market that advertise as either being low fat or low calorie. Most of the time, foods that are either low in fat or low in calories are not both; they are one or the other. For example, you could very easily find low fat cookies. Read the package information carefully. What is the serving size? The serving size may be two cookies. Now, look at the fat content. Say the fat content per two cookies is 3 grams of fat. Now look at the calories. What does it say? Chances are, the calories are the same, if not more, than a regular fat cookie. You get less fat, but more calories.

Now think about it this way: if you find a product that is fat-free, you may think that gives your free range on how much you can eat. You want to lose weight and body fat. Right? Wrong. Again, you have to think about the calories you are putting into your body. Your body converts calories into fat pounds on your body, so if you eat six fat-free chocolate chip cookies, but are taking in 500 calories, then it still counts as calories. It doesn't count less because it is fat free.

Think there is the matter of the type of fat you eat. There are many sources of fat in food and some is better for you than others. For example, if you reduced fat, make sure you are reducing the right kind of fat in your diet. Saturated fat and hydrogenated fat are the worst. You have probably heard a lot about trans-fatty acids, too. These are all very bad for you when it comes to your health. They are known to cause heart disease. What you want to eat is fat that is derived from vegetables rather than animal fat (lard). You have to read the packages on your food to know what you are getting. Then, you need to aim for not consuming more than 30 percent of your daily calories from fat. Again, you will see that your calorie intake matters.

When you look at diets, remember that you do need to keep a close eye on your fat intake, especially the wrong kinds of fat. However, what matters most is the calories.

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Secret TO Keeping Vegetables Heathy while Cooking

Your mom probably told you that you had to eat all of your vegetables when you were a kid. Most kids do not love vegetables and about the same number of adults avoid them as well. However, vegetables are an important part of the diet and you need to make sure you are getting the right number of servings each day. When you know how to select and cook your veggies, you are more likely to get in your daily servings. Here are some healthy cooking tips for veggies.

Select fresh veggies:

When you go shopping for vegetables, you will want to consider buying fresh vegetables. These are much better for you than canned or processed vegetables. While canned vegetables are certainly better than not eating vegetables at all, many of these are high in salt and are cooked so that little nutrients remain. Also, keep in mind that canned vegetables are certainly not fresh. Many of these products sit in cans for months before being eaten. Besides, when you choose fresh vegetables, you have a wider range of choices, which makes eating them fun.

Know how to shop:

When you shop for vegetables, you need to know what to buy. Learn what your vegetables should look like when you purchase so that you are certain you are getting the freshest. Shopping at a farmers market or a produce stand in your area can also help ensure that you are getting the best.

Invest in a vegetable steamer:

If you are serious about healthy eating, then you might want to invest in a good vegetable steamer. When you use a steamer, you can take almost any vegetable that is fresh, and cook it to perfection. A steamer will help retain many of the nutrients in the food, so it tastes good and is healthy for you. Look for a dual steamer that can also cook rice, as well. You can get a free-standing, electric steamer from a store like Wal-Mart or Target for around $30.

Learn to pass on the salt:

Many people make the mistake of adding too much salt to their diet. This is a no-no if you are concerned about healthy eating. In addition, you may be tempted to add butter to your veggies. You should also avoid this mistake. Instead of using a lot of salt or butter to flavor your vegetables, consider other options. Cooking vegetables with a low-sodium broth will give them taste, while saving on calories and sodium.

Eat a wide variety:

Another great healthy eating tip when it comes to vegetables is to make sure you are eating a wide variety of veggies. Everyone has his or her favorites, but when you eat only two or three vegetables over and over again, it can get boring. Spice up your diet by selecting seasonal vegetables throughout the year. Try a new vegetable every now and again. Have you ever tried kale? How about broccoli rabe? You may just find a new taste that you love.

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