To cleanse or not to cleanse…is that your question?
Erica Wells, RD
Oh cleanses…a trend that started with big-time Hollywood celebs, then making its way mainstream as a way to “lose weight” and “rid the body of unwanted toxins.” There has been no shortage of people who have jumped aboard the cleansing wagon either, as cleansing has grown itself into a multibillion dollar industry.
But are cleanses all they are touted to be?
Cleanses typically consist of either purchasing expensive juices, “cleaning supplement systems” or following the guidelines of some self proclaimed expert in eliminating most food and beverages from your diet for a specified amount of time while consuming various homemade concoctions all with goal of “flushing the body of impurities,” “boosting metabolism,” or “achieving weight loss.” Some of these programs may have a component of colon cleansing added, where laxatives are used from above to move toxins out of your colon.
There are so many types of cleanses that are advertised on the market. Many cleanses typically involve restricting your diet to only juice based or other liquid concoctions with a recipe of ingredients, some quite unpleasant.
The fact of the matter is that cleanses are NOT all they are made out to be. Starving yourself for several days living on juice or other liquid solutions alone will not boost your metabolism. Instead, your body will be restricted from vital nutrients and balance that it needs to properly function. What about weight loss? Sure you may lose weight but that change will be due to water losses and your weight will bounce back up once you return to your normal eating habits. As for the claims of “cleansing your body of toxins,” your body was designed to rid itself of toxins on its own and does not need a special supplement or concoction of cayenne pepper and lemon juice to do so.
Cleanses are not a long term weight loss solution and anything you set out doing with regards to your weight and health should be long term. If you want to treat your body better and lose weight the right way, then change the way you feed your body. Focus on eating a more wholesome, well rounded diet with foods as close to their natural form and avoid processed items and artificial additives as best as possible. Food should be consumed with the focus of nourishing your body but should also be enjoyable, and I’m pretty sure you would agree that drinking salt water solutions while taking laxatives and depriving yourself of food is not what you would consider to be a blast. Also, don’t forget the exercise! Exercise not only burns calories which promotes weight loss, but it also boosts energy levels and helps your body function at its best. Check out the fitness section on Pumps & Pushups for ideas!
