Throw It Out Thursday: Detox, Yay, Nay, Or Maybay?
Do you ever feel like there is always at least one person that’s on a cleanse or saying they “need a detox” or “to hit reset”? Ok great but, what the heck does that mean??
There are so many definitions to the concept of detox or cleanse, so let’s just go ahead and define what it is before we dive any deeper:
“Detox (noun) a process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances; detoxification”
“Cleanse (noun) a process or period of time during which a person attempts to rid the body of substances regarded as toxic or unhealthy, typically by consuming only water or other liquids.”
Ok, those two are really similar. Still, slightly different, notice how they are both the elimination or absence of toxic stuff, be it food, news, etc. however one is staying away from these things while the other is attempting to rid the body of a build-up of toxins.
Even though they are both different, you cleanse the body during a detox and detox during a cleanse. They both exist, but also cannot exist without each other…whoa, major Keanu Reeves moment!
Let’s just go down this rabbit hole really quickly, I promise there’s logic and reason in this. You might have heard about a juice cleanse. It is a cleanse that also functions to detoxify the body.
Much in the same way that doing a 3-day detox will result in cleansing some body organs. Like doing one is also naturally doing the other. 🤯
I’ve been under the impression that a "cleanse” always tends to be more juice-based, no food, but maybe liquid broths if any, whereas a detox can be eliminating some foods, but not all food, and then eventually, and slowly bringing them back in.
If you’re anything like me. I am not super into not eating, but let’s just look into cleanses before we throw them out completely.
I remember when I was a kid, my mom would make these crazy combinations (that’s at least what I thought as a kid, now I love them) in her very impressive juicer, the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer.
Sometimes I would like them, the carrot was always ok, but way better when oranges were involved. Safe to say, my palate for fresh, raw juices started at an early age, so I am not 100% opposed to the idea.
The problem I have is the not chewing part. For whatever reason, I can have mostly liquids for breakfast but come noonish and I need to eat real, tangible food! Even though I feel full from my shakes and drinks, there’s just something about eating food that makes it feel complete for me.
This might not be your concern or issue, it’s definitely a personal problem! Your concern might be that you need something like that super fancy Power Juicer (which I now have my mother’s ancient original one, she bought a new one, neither get used enough), or not having access to fresh produce or the money to do it.
All fair points, but they can’t stop us anymore, you don’t need a juicer, or to even make it yourself. There are some amazing companies that provide the juice pre-made to you. Having it premade is going to cost some money upfront, but so would buying food or a giant juicer, and at least this way it isn’t taking up counter space.
That brings up the last point, money. Everything in life will cost some degree of money, and we tend to find money to pay for the things we want that don’t necessarily give us a better life (I see you dollar/seasonal aisle at Rite Aid), but how much is it going to cost you to not do anything? If you had the choice to spend $7 a day on healthy juice, saving it towards your blender or juicer, or consuming something that is taking years off of your life, which would it be? A little extreme, I know, but you get the idea.
“It is important to note that there are differences between juicing and blending:
Juicing involves squeezing the juices from fruits and vegetables and separating them from the pulp.
Blending mixes all of the edible parts of fruits and vegetables, including the pulp, or fibrous portion.”
So, just in case you were planning on making your juice cleanse drinks in the blender, that’s not what “juicing” is. Save your blender for when we get to detoxes and start making smoothies.
Do you need a juicer? Yes. And no. Yes because technically it is the best way to get the juice out of your fruits and vegetables. However, like mentioned above, there are companies that do the hard work for you and you get to enjoy the healthy juice blends they make. Just be careful of sugar intake, it is far too easy to spike your sugar levels on a juice-only diet.
You can also go to a natural foods store and find juice options there. Again, make sure you are following a proven program of what juices to make/drink so that you aren’t flooding your body with sugar.
In that previous quote, they go on to say,
Drinking large quantities of juice may be harmful to those with kidney disorders. Certain types of juice contain oxalate, an acid that can contribute to kidney stones and other kidney problems.
Always consult your trusted healthcare provider before beginning any cleanse, if you are looking for a Naturopath Doctor, check out our resident Stress Relief Doctor, Dr. Alice to get more guidance on this subject.
Ok, cleanses are still a no for me, even though I own a juicer, I will not be jumping on board the cleanse boat anytime soon. Did you ever have a friend do the “Master Cleanse” with cayenne pepper?? Crazy stuff.
So let’s move on to its companion, the detox. Remember, that you are still cleansing the body during a detox, and also you detox the body during a cleanse. It’s just the pieces and degree or depth of “cleansing” that are different.
The pieces to a detox might include your trusty blender, some produce, maybe some dairy-free milk (you do eliminate certain food groups like dairy during a detox), adding in once or twice daily protein powders, and maybe even supplements like spirulina, ashwaganda, or chia seeds.
I keep some of the pieces of a detox as regular staples in my diet. For example, I make a protein shake for my first breakfast every morning. It’s the only thing I can eat when I first wake up as I am not ready to eat yet. I do follow it up with second breakfast a few hours later though…
Now, again not a dietician, I am here to show both sides, it is up to you to decide how you feel about it all.
Detox diets rarely identify the specific toxins they aim to remove. The mechanisms by which they work are also unclear.
In fact, there is little to no evidence that detox diets remove any toxins from your body.
What’s more, your body is capable of cleansing itself through the liver, feces, urine, and sweat. Your liver makes toxic substances harmless, then ensures that they’re released from your body
- Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice) ‘Do Detox Diets And Cleanses Really Work?’
A few years ago, I went to a colon hydrotherapist for the first time. I figured I had a pretty good diet, I don’t eat fast food, I have food allergies so I end up cooking most of my meals, I take my supplements, eat my greens and work out. She informed me, as we started the cleansing process, that my colon is dehydrated.
She was definitely right as I drank way too much coffee at the time, and her simple suggestions for my specific situation made a huge difference in my digestive health. It definitely is worth it to reach out to your trusted healthcare provider and to try all the avenues available for your body’s health.
Can detoxes actually benefit us though? Unlike a cleanse, a detox doesn’t exactly mean removing all food and drinking juice instead. The idea is actually to bring in foods and supplements that help to aid the body in digestion better.
“Solid foods are actually helpful,” [dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD] notes. Fiber, found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, slows digestion, helps with nutrient absorption and removes toxins via stool. Your digestive tract uses probiotics from fiber to nourish your intestines with beneficial bacteria, which helps maintain immune health.”
- ‘Are You Planning A Cleanse Or Detox? Read This First’ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/
If you go back to the definitions of what a detox is in the beginning, it mentions abstaining from toxic or unhealthy substances. So really, a detox is letting go of foods and things that are unhealthy for us, not necessarily making smoothies, and drinking 500 oz of water daily.
What this all boils down to is that there is a lot out there, from information about how-to and what detoxes include, to the different types of detoxes out there. My main takeaway from a detox is that it really is about removing toxic things in your environment, from your food to your mood, and that is never a bad thing.
Like all things, knowing what you’re getting into first is always helpful, and in this case, kinda important.
The hardest part about any wellness journey is the prep work, the research, and the foundation for the fun stuff.
But where do you begin? What’s the first step you take in making sure it’s the right one for you?
Like I’ve said throughout this blog, you’re going to want to consult your medical professional and get your overall health checked out first. You can always reach out to our Naturopath Doctor, she can definitely get you a clear picture of your body’s health. Once you know where you are at, you can make a wiser decision on what your body needs and maybe doesn’t.
Really understand what the detox you are going to do does for your body. Like is it trying to flush your colon? Do you need to add in more fiber-rich foods? Is it hydrating your body? Do you need to increase your water intake? Just a few ideas, but really know all the aspects of your product/detox so you can get the best result.
Personally, I like the idea of hitting reset or taking a moment to look over the parts of my day/diet/mental space and do a little cleanse of what isn’t serving me. This doesn’t involve any juices, or blending, just some time (10-20 minutes) some paper and a pen, and the vulnerability to look at my life and be honest with what’s working and what’s not.
However you choose to cleanse or detox from the toxic things in life, do it with intention, some wisdom and guidance, and a whole lot of grace for yourself along the way.
Be good to your skin and even better to your whole self,
xx eri