Christmas and the New Year are over. After the excess food accumulated at the end of the year, our liver took a hit. To get rid of toxins and relieve the body, some turn to the detox cure. But is this method really useful and effective? Nutritionist Bettina Sarhosoglu enlightens us.
– Why doctor: When the new year comes around, many people decide to start a detox cure to cleanse their body. But is it a good or bad idea to do it after the holiday season?
Bettina Sarhosoglu: It is interesting to do a detox cure after the festivities, because during this period, we consumed more fatty and sugary foods, we were less vigilant about the food balance and we ate fewer vegetables and fruits. . This method allows you to take care of yourself and start the year on the right foot after the excesses of the holidays.
In which cases is it recommended to do a detox cure?
You can perform a detox cure at each change of season, after overeating (end-of-year celebrations, Easter, holidays, etc.) or simply whenever you feel the need. For example, when we suffer from digestive problems, our skin is dull and has acne or when we are smeared.
Detox: “it allows you to put your digestive organs at rest”
What is the benefit of a detox cure?
It allows you to put your body, more precisely your digestive organs, at rest. The detox cure helps to eliminate toxins, such as pesticides or heavy metals, thanks to the emunctory organs (liver, kidneys, intestines, etc.). By detoxifying your body, you can resume good eating habits and regain energy.
Is the detox cure effective for weight loss?
This method should not be performed to lose weight. If you want to lose weight, it is preferable to opt for a food rebalancing. However, the detox cure can be interesting as part of a weight loss process. Clearly, if a person stagnates and no longer manages to exceed a level, they can do a detox cure to restart their metabolism, which promotes weight loss.
“You have to choose the right moment” to start detoxifying the body
How to get started?
A detox cure, it’s getting ready! It is not advisable to go from one extreme to another. Before starting it, you should get organized and have the recommended foods in your cupboards. Another advice: you have to choose the right moment to start it. Clearly, it is best to perform this method when you are not overloaded with work or during the weekend, when you are more likely to overindulge.
After the holiday season, dietary changes should be made gradually. For example, during the first days, we can reduce our consumption of coffee or meat and judiciously reintegrate fruits and vegetables into our diet.
Should I be followed by a health professional?
If you are doing a detox cure for the first time, it is important to be followed by a dietitian or a naturopath in order to have good recommendations and so that the method is personalized.
“The detox cure essentially involves hydration”
What foods should be favored as part of a detox cure?
The detox cure essentially involves hydration. In order to detoxify the liver, we can turn to caffeine-free drinks, such as rooibos, or herbal teas. Coffee lovers can replace it with chicory or coffee substitutes. During this method, we favor seasonal vegetables and fruits and organic products, which contain fewer pesticides and more minerals. If you feel hungry, you can also bet on whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, etc.) to be satiated. Another tip: put very nutritious foods, such as sprouted seeds, in your salads or soups.
For breakfast, one can enjoy a drink, such as vegetable and fruit juice (rich in antioxidants and vitamins), to hydrate and let the body wake up. This juice can be composed of two vegetables and a fruit, for example: cucumber (which is taste neutral), carrot, orange and a little lemon. At noon, it is possible to eat a salad of raw vegetables. To avoid getting bored, we try to play with the textures. Finally, in the evening, you can opt for a pan-fried vegetable or a soup.
What foods should be avoided during this cure?
As part of a detox cure, avoid coffee, alcohol, ultra-processed products, bad fats, refined sugars. It is also better to put cold cuts and red meats aside.
Detox cure: its duration varies “from one day to one week”
What is the recommended duration?
The duration can vary from one day to one week. When you perform this method, you have to listen to yourself and avoid doing it over the long term so as not to lose your muscle mass.
If you want to detoxify your body because of digestive problems or after a heavy meal, it is better to do a detox cure for a day. On the other hand, if you want to reduce your acne or boost your metabolism, it is best to put your liver at rest for five to seven days.
What are the side effects of a detox cure?
The detox cure can lead to migraines, constipation and hypoglycemia.
What are the contraindications?
This method is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, people with eating disorders (ED), obese patients, adults with hypertension and diabetes.
