I know that this will probably touch a few nerves, as some of you may have had “success” on something like what I am about to discuss. I guess my question would be what are you trying to accomplish during a cleanse or a detox? If the answer is health, lasting weight loss and a sustainable lifestyle change–you’re barking up the wrong tree there. 

Can you lose a significant amount of “weight” only drinking juiced fruits and vegetables? Sure! Will your belly flatten down if you stop eating solid food for 14 days? Of course!
Does drinking a caffeinated “health drink” 4 times a day give you more energy? In a way, yes.

Here’s another thing that I think confuses people “detox”. This notion that we are full of poisonous “toxins” that need to be removed from our system with an elixir or product that will cleanse our bodies. Let me share a secret with you: our bodies are completely capable at removing unnecessary substances on their own. Our livers and kidneys are created for this purpose. So unless you’ve actually ingested poison, you have a built in “cleansing system” already in place. Assuming you have well functioning kidneys and liver, you’re good to go there 🙂

But let’s step back a second and think about this in a longer time frame than a few days, weeks or even a month. Suppose your “plan” tells you to not eat carbs or processed foods; then your husband or child has a birthday, and there’s birthday cake, and you have a piece. Then what? You’ve “fallen off plan”, screwed up. But it was so good! The sugar makes you happy, you were part of the social event. This is where these sorts of programs get hard. It is really easy to follow a strict, restrictive plan when you’re at home or can pack your meals to bring to work, school, etc. But what happens when you go on vacation? Or there is a family Christmas party? Do you not eat?

I realize that there is something to be desired about a quick fix, suffer for the cause for a few days/weeks and you can magically fit into those skinny jeans again. But here’s the hard truth…the weight you’re losing isn’t the unhealthy body fat you’re wanting to get rid of. It’s mostly water weight, some intestinal bulk (yes, that means poop), and probably even some precious muscle mass. And here’s another kicker–the more times you utilize these extreme “diets”, the more weight you will gain over the course of a lifetime! 

So, proceed with caution if any program suggests that you radically reduce your calories, cut out entire food groups (carbs, fat, etc). I am all for programs that encourage the consumption of more whole foods–a glass of green juice a day is excellent! Heck, even a few glasses a day are great! But ONLY consuming that, not so much.

Including a variety of foods, incorporating the proper kinds of exercise, and knowing what amounts of the different macronutrients (protein, fat AND carbs) your body needs for the goals you’re trying to achieve are the keys to lasting success.