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Detox & Fasting Diets

Following periods of overindulgence, detox and fasting diets are an effective way to rid the body of toxins and free radicals. They help with feelings of bloating and lethargy and, if followed rigorously, will promote significant weight loss. The idea of detoxifying the body can be traced back thousands of years and was historically considered to cleanse the spirit and bring individuals closer to God.

  1. The Brown Rice Detox

    • The brown rice diet is one of the most popular choices for detoxification, because it contains high levels of fiber and very few calories. It also leaves you feeling fuller for longer periods of time, so it helps control hunger. With this diet you can consume fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the day, along with water and herbal tea. You need to eat 1 cup of brown rice with your lunch and dinner, supplemented with steamed vegetables. This, as with many detox diets, is a vegetarian diet and must be followed for seven days.

    The 11 Day Detox

    • The 11-day detox diet was created by Anne Louise Gittleman. It is designed to promote fast weight loss, and works by boosting the body's metabolism before a fast. For the initial seven days and the final three days, you need to be eating between 1 and 3 cups vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli, fruits such as limes and apples and two small portions of protein such as eggs and broiled chicken breast. The day in between is a fasting day and you must drink only fresh juice containing cranberry, ginger, stevia and lemon.

    The Juice Fast

    • The juice fast is an aggressive detox plan that allows you to only drink fresh juice made from fruit and vegetables. It should be followed for at least three days. It works by helping stomach acid and enzymes take a break from breaking down food, thus digesting excess fat and harmful cells. It is vital that you drink only juice that you have made yourself, and that the ingredients consist of raw fruit and vegetables.

    The Master Cleanser

    • The Master Cleanser diet, formulated by celebrated author Stanley Burroughs, is perhaps the most extreme detox plan. It can be followed for up to two weeks, and when finished, you must take care when returning to your normal diet. An average menu for a day consists of up to 10 glasses of water, mixed with 2 tbsp. of maple syrup, 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

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