Will Digestive Cleansing Help You Lose Weight?

Many Hollywood movies will denote losing weight as an easy task. In nearly every “chick-flick”, the female protagonist will make a comment – either stating that she looks the way she does because she’s only been drinking cranberry juice for the last forty-eight hours, or to complement the shape of her side-kick, who in return will usually reply that she’s following a new dietary plan that involves eating a block of cheese once a week. These methods of cleansing and detoxifying seem overdramatized and unrealistic (which they often are), however, nutritionists and family physicians agree that the detoxification of your system isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you plan to change your eating habits and make more healthy dietary choices.

The act of cleansing out your system usually takes from two to ten days and involves eating minimal amounts of foods that are easily digested. Although this may seem extremely difficult, cleansing out your body is the easiest way to change the eating habits that you’ve spent your lifetime developing. The foods that are recommended below are all easy for your body to digest, and will additionally draw out toxins to improve overall weight loss.

Most Cleansing Diets Recommend Eating:

Fresh Vegetables – They aren’t your favorite food, however vegetables are exceptionally good detox foods. Cauliflower, broccoli, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets and any other red or green vegetables are nutrient-packed and will help to remove toxins during your cleanse.

Nuts – You need protein while you cleanse, and nuts are the most beneficial source of protein for you. Any flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews or walnuts are good choices while you partake in any cleansing festivities.

Rice and Alternative Grains – All forms of rice are extremely easy to digest, including rice cakes and products made with rice flour. If you’re not a fan of rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat products are all excellent and easily-digestible alternatives that can be purchased at your local health food store.

Beans – Although the split yellow and green peas are the easiest form of bean to digest, all beans including the kidney, pinto, and chickpea varieties are effective components to a cleansing diet.

Oil – If you must use oil, either to cook your food or as an ingredient in a new recipe, using extra-virgin olive oil is wise, as it is the most beneficial for cleansing purposes.

Only Certain Beverages – The fluids that you ingest will affect the effectiveness of your cleanse. Drinking only herbal teas, green tea, water, lemon water, pure unsweetened fruit juices and rice milk are key components to removing the toxins in your body.

Though cleansing diets will often help you to start your new diet on the right foot, they aren’t for everyone. It’s important to talk to your doctor or nutritionist before starting a cleanse – they may have some helpful tips or advise you to additionally take a medication that encourages weight loss.