We all know what a cleanse is; it’s that trendy diet where you fast for a certain number of days and then you eat only healthy foods. Some people do it to lose weight, and it’s actually a pretty effective way of shedding off those extra pounds. We’re going to tell you about the different types of cleanses available, including the pros and cons of each. Let’s get started.
The Standard Cleanse
This is pretty much what you’d expect from a cleanse; you’d have a set number of days (usually between three and ten) during which you eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. You fast from traditional foods such as pizza, pasta, and burgers, as well as biscuits, cake, and chocolate (yes, even chocolate!) More importantly, you’re avoiding all the bad stuff: the wrong kind of fat, the wrong kind of protein, and empty carbs (like rice, potatoes, and pasta).
While this type of cleanse will certainly help you lose weight, it might not be the best for everybody, especially if you want to keep your energy levels up. You’re putting your body through a lot of turmoil by depriving it of nutrients, and although you’re not likely to feel super-sick, you’re also not going to feel super-charged, either. Since a lot of the food you’re avoiding is high in carbs, it doesn’t take long for your energy levels to start sinking.
There’s also the issue of how much water you should drink. Despite what the majority of diet books would have you believe, drinking plenty of water is not necessarily a good idea when you’re trying to lose weight. If you’re already drinking the recommended eight cups of water daily, there’s no need to go overboard; it’s better to keep what you’ve got than to add more. Besides, the high amounts of water can make you temporarily bloated, which is definitely not a good look for someone who’s trying to shed off those extra pounds.
The Fruit & Veggie-Based Cleanse
This type of cleanse is all the rage these days, and for good reason: it’s a great way to get lots of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Instead of depriving your body of nutrients as in the standard cleanse, with a fruit and veggie based cleanse you’re nourishing your body with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. What’s more, the natural sugars in fruit and vegetables provide you with extra energy, which is essential if you want to get through the day without feeling too worn out.
Now, you might not be able to tell by looking at the above photo, but the fruit and veggie based cleanse isn’t always as green as it is in the picture. You’ll often see it referred to as a ‘beach-themed’ cleanse, because the fruits and vegetables that you normally associate with beaches are the typical choices: pineapple, mango, avocado, and cucumber. The more colorful the better, so try to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet as much as possible. It’s also a good idea to eat plenty of berries and dark leafy greens, as these are the natural foods that give you the biggest nutritional boost. Finally, if you really want to lose weight, go for fresh fruit and vegetables rather than frozen ones as they have a higher vitamin content. Your body doesn’t have to wait for the ice cream to melt before it can consume the nutrients in the strawberry.
Although this cleanse type is a great choice, it isn’t without its drawbacks. First of all, you’ll need to avoid eating too much fruit and veggie-based food, as it can lead to indigestion and stomach upset. Secondly, if you’re used to eating the occasional chocolate bar or donut, the sudden absence of these foods from your diet can cause blood sugar spikes and insulin surges, which could potentially lead to weight gain. This is why, if you’re trying to shed those extra pounds, you should avoid fruits and vegetables that are high in natural sugars.
If you really want to lose weight, the fruit and veggie-based cleanse is a great choice because it’s filled with nutrients and fiber, but it might not be the best for everybody. For example, if you have diabetes, you should avoid this type of cleanse as it could raise your blood sugars.
The Whole Grain-Based Cleanse
If you’re trying to lose weight and you have diabetes, you should steer clear of whole grain foods as they can easily become a source of sugar, particularly if you have the disease type 1. If you’re not too familiar with whole grain foods, they are those foods that have the entire grain in them, from the head to the tail, rather than just the end product, which is usually what you get in processed foods. For example, brown rice is a whole grain food and most of it is edible, whereas white rice is mostly hulls and when chewed it has a similar effect to chewing on sand. Whole grain foods provide your body with necessary nutrients, fiber, and some well-deserved energy, so try to incorporate them into your diet. The good thing is that since they’re filled with nutrients, you’ll be consuming sufficient nutrients even when you’re not feeling super-energized (which you won’t when you’re depriving your body of energy by staying hungry).
However, if you have hyperthyroidism, you should also avoid whole grains, as they can aggravate the condition. What is hyperthyroidism? Well, it’s a condition where your body’s thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which can cause you to be overactive and suffer from weight loss. So, if you’re struggling with weight loss and you have hyperthyroidism, you should probably avoid whole grains until your doctor gives you the all-clear.
The Sports Juice Cleanse
If you’re looking for a way to increase your energy levels without having to eat the whole fruit and veggie-based cleanse, you should try the sports juice cleanse. This type of cleanse is especially designed for those who spend a lot of time exercising; the sugar in the juices provides your body with quick energy, which is crucial if you’re competing in a sport, or if you have a lot of physical activity planned for the day. The citrus in the juices helps keep your teeth healthy as well, so if you’re always chewing on the things, this could be a good choice for you (although we’d still recommend you visit the dentist at least twice a year).
The Detox Water Cleanse
If you’re not feeling well and you think that your system is needing a change, you might want to try a detox water cleanse. Just as its name suggests, a detox water cleanse is a method of cleansing your system of toxins. The most common toxins that people get rid of during a detox water cleanse are tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, and the idea behind it is that these foods pollute your body’s systems so much that you have to give them a quick brush-off. The majority of the time, you’ll start off the process with the standard 30-day cleanse, but afterwards you’ll have a clearer picture of whether or not it’s a diet that suits you.
Regardless of what type of cleanse you end up choosing, remember to eat healthy fats, lots of veggies, and fruit to get the best results. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water daily, as this will help maintain healthy joints, strong bones, and a slim figure. By eating the foods that your body needs and by taking note of any digestive issues, you might be able to lose weight and keep it off for the rest of your life. We hope this article helps you find the best diet for weight loss and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and we wish you the best of luck on your journey to a slimmer, healthier you!