The summer detox plan

Detoxifying refers to the flushing of toxins and impurities out of your system and cleansing of the blood. Even though it may seem like a new-age fad, detox goes a long way back in the form of fasting, which was an ancient way of detoxification. Ideally, you should go on a detox diet once a year, even if you are physically fit.

However, fitness and beauty expert Amrit Dhaliwal suggests that one should opt for a body detox at least twice a year and it's absolutely necessary if you are suffering from bodily disorders like fatigue, diziness, skin allergies and infections, mental instability and menstrual problems.

"If you experience body bloating, blemishes and hyper-pigmentation; it is a signal sent by your body that you need to cleanse your system of toxins. Though, ideally it's a 6-7 day process, people who don't have that much time should go for a three-day detoxification every three months. Use fruit and vegetable juices in your liquid detox regime," she explains.

City-based nutritionist Avanti Deshpande states that medical consultation is a must before embarking on a detox diet.

"People often forget to take medical consultation while going on a detox regime. It is very important to consult your physician for if you are diabetic or someone with a health issue as changing your diet is a big step. A healthy person should not exceed a detox for more than three days. Detox refers to the cleansing of your digestive system and making it more functional to absorb the nutrients of the food you eat. If you opt for a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis and avoid processed food, a liquid detox every six months is more than enough," she states.

Types of detox

Fruit and vegetable detox
Eat plenty of citrus fruits like orange, lime, grape fruit, etc. This detox diet can be continued for a week. Vegetable detox can be extended a little longer where veggies like broccoli and leafy vegetables should be included. Include a lot of fibre-rich foods.

Juice (liquid) detox
Drink lots of fruit and vegetable juices. To not to get bored of the same type of juices, shuffle between fruit and vegetable juices for meals. Sugarcane juice and coconut water is available throughout the season. Make the most of it and have it if you feel like snacking.

Smoothie cleanse
Have high protein and low calorie drinks. Use apples, carrots, celery, banana, berries and pineapple to make a smoothie. You can also combine fruits and vegetables together and add ground flaxseeds in it. The season's favourite fruit, mango, can also be part of your smoothie but do not overuse it.

Organic detox
Organic detox can be continued for a longer duration than the regular detox. It involves consuming a lot of green vegetables, avoiding processed and canned food and reducing sugar intake. Consume vegan food like soy milk instead of regular dairy products. You don't need to go for a juice-diet in this detox procedure. You can replace a solid meal with a healthier liquid meal per day. Also avoid meat completely.

While on a detox...

>> Though tea, coffee and cold drinks are liquids; they are full of toxins like caffeine and unsaturated fats. Stay away from them during the detoxification period.
>> Avoid cigarettes and alcohol.
>> Drink plenty of water.
>> Consume green tea if you crave for a beverage like tea
or coffee.
>> Indulge in a body and mind calming regime like Yoga. It helps boost the result of your detox. Do meditation in the morning or before sleeping.
>> Minimise heavy-duty physical activities.
>> Rest your body. Take at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily.
>> Don't go on a detox process that lasts for 14-15 days. It might damage your body by depriving it of nutrients. Metabolic rate might also reduce.