Detox Diets

A Detox Diet (also called a cleansing diet) will remove toxins and poisons from your body. The idea of a good detox diet is to eat pure and natural foods that will aid the function of the lymph, kidneys, and liver. All foods that hinder the regime will be avoided.

Detox diets are controversial. Many feel that most of the so-called "medical science" presented in these books is nothing more than fiction. It is true that most of these diets have quite severe restrictions, and should be embarked upon with great care.

Detox Diet Plans

The following diets could be considered as detoxifying diets.

4 Week Detox Plan The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan is designed to provide a thorough cleansing that is much deeper than many of the other detox programs currently available. You will systematically cleanse the various organs and systems of the body in a specific order that will produce the best results.
Raw Food Diet A generic diet advocating consumption of raw, uncooked food only.
The Clean Diet The Clean Program is a 21-day detox diet that was designed by Dr.Alejandro Junger, for those who have a busy lifestyle.
Detox For Women The plan geared to women promotes detox, but in a way that's less intrusive on the dieter's lifestyle.
Diuretic Diet Using natural diuretics to alleviate fluid retention.
Eat Stop Eat This diet uses short 24 hour fasts a couple times a week which promotes detox.
Fast Track Detox Diet An 11 day Detox Diet to jumpstart weight loss or break a weight loss plateau.
Fat Flush Diet Popular 3 phase diet plan from Ann Gittleman
Fruit Flush Fruit Flush 3 Day Detox by Jay Robb
Hallelujah Diet Bible-based diet from George Malkmus.
Lemonade Diet The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs.
Liquid Diets Liquid or Juice-only diets are sometimes used as a short-term detox program.
Liver Cleansing Diet A bestseller since 1997, Dr Cabot attributes many health conditions to poor liver function.
Martha's Vineyard Detox Diet Claims a weight loss of 21 pounds in 21 days.
Mucusless Diet The Mucusless Diet Healing System was written by Arnold Ehret, who healed himself from Bright's disease with a diet based on fruits combined with fasting.
Raw Food Detox Diet Gradually incorporates raw foods into diet and promotes detox.
Super Cleanse Super Cleanse offers dieters who wish to undertake a cleansing diet a wide variety of options, ranging from gentle vegetarian programs to more extreme juice fasts.
UltraSimple Diet A 7-day health program, Dr Hyman recommends this in addition to his Ultrametabolism book and health program.
Weight Loss Cure Based on Kevin Trudeau's book which adheres to detox as a way to weight loss.

You Are What You Eat

Gillian McKeith's plan for healthy eating with a detox component.

Detoxifying Your Body

Generally most detox diets will contain the following foods:

  • Organic food and drink (no pesticides or fungicides).
  • Whole unprocessed foods (grains, nuts, seeds, etc).
  • High mix of vegetables and fruit.
  • 2 liters of water per day
  • Certain herbs such as Psyllium seed, Licorice root, Yucca root, Milk thistle seed, Gentian root, to aid the detoxifying process.

Most detox programs will avoid the following:

  • Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drugs
  • Processed and refined foods
  • Certain supplements (due to the amount of additives).