It can be tempting to try a detox or cleanse this time of year. After the excesses of the holidays, with so much food and booze, you might be feeling tired and bloated, and you may be carrying a few extra pounds. Flushing out toxins and feeling renewed and refreshed sounds so appealing. But science says your body is perfectly able to rid itself of toxins—your liver, kidneys, and digestive tract can do the job! And liquid diets may do more harm than good. “I have a hard time with those words,” says Jae Berman, MS, RDN, CSSD, and head coach at Habit. “Toxin is a strong term, and if you really needed to detoxify, you should probably be in a hospital! The better concept is hitting the reset button and cleaning up your diet, without going to extremes.”
Here’s what you need to know before you start starving yourself. Plus, the better, healthier way to help your body bounce back after the holidays.
Why Detoxes Don’t Work
At the extreme, detox diets tell you to drink liquids only for days or even weeks. That might mean cayenne-lemon water, green smoothies, a rainbow of juices, bone broth, or “tea toxes” (which may hide laxatives). The crazier trends include tacos, vodka, even charcoal. Some programs also tell you to buy pricey supplements (read labels very carefully—they may not be regulated by the FDA).
Technically, toxins are always hanging out in your body, explains Berman. You’re exposed to chemicals, parasites, and bacteria—from the food you eat, but also the air and environment—all of the time, and your body naturally defends itself. Post holidays, you may also have more alcohol and sugar in your system, and if you’ve been flying or up in the mountains, you may simply be dehydrated. So it’s great to drink up, but lemon water won’t kill bad guys.
“If you exclusively drink liquid for a series of days, you’re just going to lose water and muscle,” says Berman. “The second you start eating regular food again, you’ll gain the weight back. You’re putting stress on your body—it doesn’t know you’re downtown in an office, it thinks you’re starving in the desert! And it will hold onto every morsel.”
Another misconception is “sweating out” toxins. You only lose a trace amount of toxins through your skin, meaning a tiny bit. But if you’re doing a juice cleanse, the sauna or treadmill might actually be unsafe. Berman’s metaphor: “You’re starving in the desert, and now you’re being chased by a lion! That’s hard on your body.”
How to Recover the Healthy Way
Still want to try it? Rather than worrying about toxins, there are more sane ways to help your body recover in the new year. “Hit the reset button,” says Berman, “But don’t call it a detox. Let’s just call it clean eating.”
It’s not about starvation. Don’t deprive yourself! You should never feel ravenous. Even if you cut calories, continue to eat real food and have small snacks, every 2 to 3 hours.
Two days is enough. There’s nothing wrong with eating light for a couple of days, but a weekend is all you need. Reset, reflect, and practice healthy habits you can maintain all year.
Just eat clean. Take a break from alcohol. Cut out processed foods—anything in a package, with a long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Cut back on sugar, salt, and saturated fat, which aren’t toxins, but aren’t supporting your health either.
Eat more plants. Replace cocktails, cookies, and roast beef with colorful fruits and veggies. If you really want a detox diet, the soup trend is a good way to do it. Fill a pot with veggies that provide fiber and minerals, plus plenty of liquid.
Drink lots of water. It’s one of only things liquid diets get right. Hydrate to help your body to function efficiently, particularly your digestive system and kidneys—the cleansing champions.
Rather than starving and making yourself miserable, the real point is to spend a couple of days being kinder to your body. Get back to basics, drinking water and eating veggies, to give your organs the nutrients they need to do the job. Get back into your workout routine, and give your mind a break, as well! Lay low this weekend, and make a nourishing soup or big batch meal for the week ahead. Then carry healthy habits and self care with you through the rest of the year—clean eating isn’t only for the month of January.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Love my Fitbit!
Great advice
Fasting is not a new trend, it has been practised by mankind for centuries. In our century / first world where food and calories are bountiful, the disciplined practise of fasting balances our overconsumption.
Previous generations were in a state of hunger more than not. Through fasting we give our internal organs etc a break from relentless processing of calories to energy that leads to diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Whilst scientists suggest we don’t have to fast, nature gives us many examples of fasting for improved health and well being.
And whilst you fast watch your Fitbit record more peaceful sleep and a settled resting heart rate.
I have been preaching against detoxes and cleanses for many years now. Very well written article
I’ve been wearing a Fitbit for the past three years and while I’ve not lost much weight, I do love the daily/hourly information it provides me about my daily routine and how my body is reacting to it. More recently, I’ve been reading the short articles, (like this one), and have come to appreciate a greater level of support the Fitbit Community and Network provides.
Great article, very informative. Sounds sensible that our bodies are capable of ridding themselves of toxins. Thanks.
Very good sound advice. I make soups every week and add in lentils at the end and these provide such good nutritious meals. I also do a lot of fish in the over. I have lost a lot of weight over a slow period of time eating like this. I changed my approach to eating and now I really enjoy eating nutrient dense foods and feel like I am being really kind to myself.
i have heard a lot about “detoxification” many times before but this much information was never available to me.thanks for sharing this knowledge and keep the readers updated.
I am aware that our body is well equipped to detox it self. For me just take break for 2 or 3 days, and do a fast work really well. It is not only the physical part, I always feel great at the end of my fast. It also about creating mental strength and breaking habits. I am not doing it for a long period, bit I found it really beneficial for a short period
you may try this for more effective
The rise of “skinny teas” or “weight loss teas” which promise to help people lose weight fast by drinking tea.