low carb diet

Question: I keep hearing about detox diets, and how they can help with weight loss. I’m looking to jumpstart my own weight loss, so is this something I should consider?
Answer: There is not an easy answer to your question. As with many health and weight loss related issues, the answer is, quite simply, “it depends.”
Whether you particularly should consider a detox diet as part of your weight loss regimen does depend on several crucial factors.
So I ask you these 4 questions:
What percentage of your body fat is cellulite? Cellulite typically forms around the buttocks and thighs, and sometimes on the calves and upper arms. It is easily distinguishable by the dimply texture of the skin surface where the cellulite has formed.
If your answer is YES, then my answer to you is yes, a detox diet will be beneficial for you, since cellulite is an issue of toxicity, not just fat cell growth.
Has your diet in the last year (or longer) included these foods: fried foods, refined flour snack or dessert foods (cake, cupcakes, donughts,etc), large amounts of dairy products, processed foods (containing artificial ingredients and refined ingredients), meals from fast food restaurants more than twice a week and meats and fish that are not lean? If you answer YES to any of these, you would do well to begin your weight loss program with a detox diet.
Have you been taking any prescription medications for the last year or longer AND is your weight gain related to these medications (as a side effect)? If YES, then a long-term dietary change that incorporates cleansing foods will help move any toxic residue of these medications from your body and may also help you manage the weight gain.
Have you been experiencing any of these symptoms of body toxicity?
Allergies to certain foods
Intolerance to fatty foods
Digestive disorders that include bloating and flatulence
Pain in your abdomen
Lower back pain
Bad breath and foul-smelling gas and stools
Constipation, diarrhea, irregular bowel movements or sluggish elimination
Rashes, boils, pimples, acne or other skin problems
Compromised immune system
Frequent colds and viruses
Frequent headaches
General aches and pains throughout the body
Low energy, fatigue or loss of vitality with no apparent cause
Inability to get enough sleep
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast soreness, vaginal infections
If you have, you will definitely benefit from a detox diet.
Now, having said all that, there are some very important considerations to take into account before starting a detox diet. Body detoxification is an extremely useful health technique when approached properly. BUT, a body detox, if done improperly, can be hazardous to your health. It can do more harm than good.
So it’s crucial that you do some research and find a detox program that is most suitable for your needs and, more importantly, is safe, thorough and natural – gentle on your body. Extreme detox plans are to be avoided like the plague.

Well, the 12-day Chris James Mind & Body Cleanse looks like a more realistic and healthy detox option. He won’t send me any pre-packaged food or scary-looking Chinese herbs, instead I just eat food I’ve prepared myself. Though a lot less of it. Basically if it’s not a fruit or vegetable, a seed or pulse, a certain type of grain or nut, I won’t be eating it. And that’s only for the first six days. After that it’s juice only. Three days of that and I’m back to the original diet for three. Then there’s the small matter of the colonic. Oh yes …

But who could resist the promise of what he offers? ‘Feel refreshed, energised, and more in control of your life – see the physical results of a more toned body, sparkling eyes and glowing skin – experience the benefits of increased mental clarity and joy.’

And, of course, the possibility of weight loss!

So faced with the prospect of almost two weeks without meat, fish, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, carbs or salt, I treat myself to a gorgeous breakfast the day before I start. A stack of blueberry pancakes swimming in maple syrup in American-style diner Automat in Soho. Followed by a few glasses of wine later that evening with a friend.

And wake up the next morning and my body firmly shouts ‘no’ when I present it with the array of six supplements I need to take before breakfast. I take this as a signal my body is unwilling to participate and retreat to bed. I’ll start the detox next week. It’s all about listening to your body after all