A Pox On Detox
How often have you heard the words "I need to detox"? Quite a few I'll wager. Perhaps not as often as gidday mate, but not far off I reckon.
What does detox mean anyway?
It usually refers to getting rid of a toxin from the body. Ina medical setting it specifically relates to cases of drug or alcohol overuse or addiction.
You have probably seen numerous examples in magazines, on television, in shopping centres and the like promoting the latest, greatest detox product. They are available in many forms, such as pills, powders or combinations of both and even some forms of invasive therapy. A very popular "detox" is lemon juice, cayenne pepper and molasses. What does it do? It is a quick way to cut calories and distract you with pseudoscience. It won't get you healthier or less toxic. The associated temporary weight loss achieved by glycogen depletion and associated water loss will be regained with interest, leaving you incredibly frustrated.
So what do I do?
Numerous studies support the health benefits of eating a diet rich in vegetables. It appears that items such as green onions, broccoli, kale and other cruciferous vegetables as well as yellow, green and red vegetables not only remove toxins but also have a protective effect in that they can help prevent cancer.
Why detox and not healthy eating?
We look for something catchy, trendy, something with an interesting title. Eating healthy just for the sake of eating healthy isn't seen to be as alluring as a trendy "detox".
Food Checklist
A good start for you is to follow the list below. Include these things in your normal food intake and you won't need those expensive, unnecessary detoxes.
1. Lean proteins
2. Cruciferous vegetables
3. Red plant foods
4. Red plant foods
5. Orange/Yellow plant foods
6. High quality whey proteins
