When it comes to eating trends, you can always expect a dodgy fad to feed off the legitimate diets. While not all cleansing diets are dangerous, there are a few ridiculous options we don't want COSMO girls to try.
'Cleansing diets can be very helpful in certain circumstances,' says clinical nutritionist, Jill Fraser Halkett. If you're suffering from digestive, liver, kidney or gallstone problems, she says, certain cleansing diets can be beneficial.
If done carefully and under the supervision of a trained professional, says nutritional therapist, Carol Murrell, cleansing diets have the capacity to rid the body of damaging toxins and help support the major detox organs.
The problem is, many women are attempting the wrong and more risky options, which is even evident on own
fun and fearless forum. 'Unsupervised, or fad cleansing diets can result in the uncontrolled release of toxins from fat cells,' says Murrell. 'If the body is not being adequately supported nutritionally, it can cause significant organ damage.' So, what's the best way to find out if your diet is legit?
If it's not backed by a trained dietitian or nutritional therapist, don't even go there, says Fraser Halkett. Because fad diets can deprive your body of nutrition, you could suffer long-term damage to your entire digestive system if you take the wrong route.
Here are three examples of cleansing diets you should look out for.
THE LIVER CLEANSING DIET
The Diet: Eliminate all red meat, animal fat, dairy, all processed food and anything that contains artificial chemicals and additives.
The Verdict: While Fraser Halkett agrees that you should cut out processed foods, she doesn't believe it is healthy to exclude red meat, animal fat and dairy products. '[Our bodies] were made to eat meat and consume fat,' she says. 'If you eliminate a whole food group from your diet, such as animal products, you're depriving your body of essential nutrition it cannot live without, which will cause problems in the long-term,' she warns. Murrell agrees. While this diet is possible, it needs to be done properly without eliminating whole food groups. 'Consult a health professional before starting, so they can make sure you have a balanced intake of macro nutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) and micro nutrients (vitamins and minerals).'
THE 5-BITE DIET
The Diet: Five bites of food for breakfast, five bites of food for lunch and five bites of food for supper. Yes, it's
that literal.
The Verdict: Anyone who would follow this diet is foolish, warns Fraser Halkett. Murrell agrees that it's unsustainable, adding that it may even have the potential to trigger or exacerbate an eating disorder.
THE LEMONADE DIET/THE MASTER CLEANSE
The Diet: All you're allowed is water and lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, laxative tea and salt water. No solid foods are allowed.
The Verdict: While lemonade might be a rich source of nourishment as a part of a balanced eating plan, when it becomes the sole source of sustenance it is not, says Murrell. Not only does this diet not include any protein or essential fats, she adds, it doesn't supply any nutrients needed to support the liver. Once again, Murrell believes following a diet so sparse, could aggravate disordered eating.
WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?
So, you want to detox but don't want to follow a dubious diet blindly? 'Cutting down on your body's toxic load does have significant benefits,' says Murrell. Make sure to eat fresh, natural foods and minimise or avoid refined sugar and hydrogenated fats, she explains. 'And read the labels!'
'Eat
real food and stop eating man-made foods,' warns Fraser Halkett. 'Our bodies are fully capable of cleansing themselves everyday when given the correct food.'