Living Healthy and Happy: To Cleanse or Not to Cleanse

If you are someone that is trying to lose weight or start a healthy eating lifestyle, I can almost bet you have done a google search and have found numerous articles about cleansing. There are many detox drinks, smoothies, waters, teas, workouts and pills that claim "to kick start your weight loss with a clean slate." I love snacks and foods that are not always so healthy for me (hence the goodies above) and can understand why people think a cleanse is necessary. 

So, do they work?  

Are they necessary?

What does a dietitian recommend?

First of all, our bodies are amazing and have their own internal cleansing system. Otherwise known as your gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, gallbladder and liver. Our bodies have a natural way of taking out the good stuff, using the good stuff and ridding of the bad stuff. Why mess with something natural and proven to work? 

Also, there is this fascinating beverage called water, yes plain old H2O, that aids in the function of our natural detoxification system.

Here is the cleanse I recommend:

3 days of all natural foods, no packaged or processed products (fruits, vegetables, brown rice, quinoa, chicken breast, fish-1 fist size serving of each food group for 3-4 meals/day) and consume 80-100 ounces of plain water throughout the day. No soda, no coffee, no caloric beverages.  

I usually recommend trying the above first before considering any other cleanse. You are then more than ready to continue eating healthy and clean. I guarantee your energy will increase, your pants will fit better and you will be ready to increase your physical activity. 

And after those 3 days, follow-up with a nutrition expert, a registered dietitian, to continue the success of your jump-start.