Diet

Are Body Cleansing Diets Worth Starving For?

If celebrities like Beyonce swear by detox diets, should you? Experts share how these diets really affect your body

January 12, 2011 | by Anna Jimenez | 46 COMMENTS

Body cleansing and detox diets 101 So what are these new popular diets that have so many women constricting their daily food and drink intake? And how are they different from good old-fashioned fasting or deliberate starvation? Our experts say there isn't much difference. "Fasting is willingly abstaining from some or all food for a period of time. It is generally medically necessary or used for cultural, religious or ethical purposes," says Albovias. Most detox and cleansing regimens "urge dieters to consume supplements, concoctions, and/or restrict their diets to water and raw fruits [or] vegetables" accompanied sometimes with "laxatives or enemas to speed up the detox process," she continues. "They are similar in that they restrict calories and eliminate some or all food groups from the diet," says Albovias.

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wow

by brianna121791 Monday, May 13, 2013 at 01:40PM Report as inappropriate

Smart info

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 02:05AM Report as inappropriate

good information

by LittleBunny Monday, January 21, 2013 at 11:01AM Report as inappropriate

great article

by Mommy_of_Ethan Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 05:57PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks

by EricaF123 Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 06:34AM Report as inappropriate

Detoxes are a short term solution to a long term problem. They do not teach people how to eat properly. A cleanse every now and then is fine, but just for detoxifying purposes. Not for weight loss.

by robyne00 Friday, October 19, 2012 at 02:49PM Report as inappropriate

Wait - when they say only lemons, cayenne powder, maple syrup, and water, do they really mean absolutely nothing else? How do people survive?

by schien Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 05:10PM Report as inappropriate

very interesting article

by LittleBunny Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 09:47AM Report as inappropriate

hmm great article

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 08:00PM Report as inappropriate

Do something to help your body deal with the over processed foods and pollution is good. Increasing water and eating healthier food is good. Fasting for a short time is good too. However, it tends to be that right after the weight returns because we revert back to our bad diet. So slower, more permanent changes are better in the long run. More movement and healthy food. Perhaps a day a week with only raw fruits/veggies.

by asiagirl4ever Monday, July 16, 2012 at 01:48AM Report as inappropriate

The fruit one seems weird b/c fruit is really sugary. In some cases fruit can have as much sugar in it as a Dairy Queen blizzard...

by MeeganCheerChic Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 03:48PM Report as inappropriate

I like the alternatives because I don\'t think Id ever starve myself, I\'m already skinny I dont need to be even more so, I just want my skin to be clearer.

by rachaellh13 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 03:30PM Report as inappropriate

I've done the Master Cleanse. It works if you're trying to lose weight for an event (I did it to fit into an extremely body-hugging dress) or are trying to jump-start a diet. But you will put the weight back on if you go back to your old eating habits.

by florawynn Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 11:29AM Report as inappropriate

Very interesting....

by LittleBunny Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 06:25AM Report as inappropriate

great article, love that it offers good alternatives to these crazy diets

by sportimonki13 Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 09:10AM Report as inappropriate

interesting article.

by lazorc Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 07:15PM Report as inappropriate

Don't starve yourself, it only makes you look older and uglier

by cadypod Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:37PM Report as inappropriate

I just want readers to know they should NEVER starve themselves just to look good. Personally I'd prefer to be a little chubby than stick thin because eating is part of living! If you don't enjoy eating then I don't see how you can enjoy living; I don't mean you have to enjoy eating all the time, sometimes it's a hassle but there's nothing better than sitting down with some good people you enjoy and enjoying a delicious meal. Eating is a necessity for humans and to me having a little weight on is not only beautiful but healthy. I really don't understand why you're all trying to starve yourselves constantly, you're not doing yourself or your metabolism any favors. Just eat what you want in moderation and work out on a regular basis.

by howlATthemoon Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:41PM Report as inappropriate

My boyfriend's cousin did a detox around last year this time. I'm not sure if I would do a detox anytime soon.

by MissXu Monday, January 2, 2012 at 07:42PM Report as inappropriate

Did the master cleanse. I actually gained weight. Screwed up my metabolism. Now I just stick to solid foods.

by sweettpea29 Monday, January 2, 2012 at 03:24PM Report as inappropriate

jmm maybe ill try one

by Nicole2814 Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 04:38PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for educating people on the dangers of detox, especially to the liver and kidneys. The best solution is to eat a serving of raw fruit, and espeicially veggies and a glass of water BEFORE your meals, eat more whole grains, and exercise! Great article. Beauty begins on the inside.

by Thorne Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 07:59AM Report as inappropriate

i bet the minute i start, i'll crave for a double chocolate something lol

by gisellemarie Friday, September 9, 2011 at 01:03PM Report as inappropriate

I kinda dont want to try a detox anymore ...i was looking into the 3-day one

by janellelora Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 05:24PM Report as inappropriate

hm. Maybe one day I will try a detox

by LittleBunny Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 07:29AM Report as inappropriate

I´ve tried a detox before, but it wasn´t as extreme as these!

by queenofthegreen Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 08:07AM Report as inappropriate

Very informational, however cleanses are just a quick fix. I would rather spend my energy and time on going to the gym and learning how to be more healthy overall than with one of these cleanses.

by taryn.romero Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:26AM Report as inappropriate

sounds awful!!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 12:49AM Report as inappropriate

sounds yucky to me

by LittleBunny Monday, July 25, 2011 at 07:22PM Report as inappropriate

Sounds kind of gross

by LittleBunny Monday, July 25, 2011 at 07:15PM Report as inappropriate

Even though they teach us this in the standardized health class back in health class, but i still like reading these informative articles

by MimzyQ Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 01:53PM Report as inappropriate

Good reading, but exercise and moderation are the only true ways to lose weight and these "fasting diets" are nothing more than enough to convince younger readers to feel ok to starve themselves.

by dianach Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 10:52PM Report as inappropriate

I tried a cleansing diet and ended up with a three day migraine. I started Weight Watchers and joined a gym and have been losing a steady 2 pounds a week. Slow and steady wins the race!

by BellezzaBeauty Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 05:18PM Report as inappropriate

I agree 100% on the "betrayal on the last slide" comment; what a conflicted message to leave us with!

by bukiyounahito Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 07:41AM Report as inappropriate

detox is good if you like have bad skin that is good.

by doglova Monday, May 30, 2011 at 01:36AM Report as inappropriate

Good to read but seriously, by sticking to a healthy meal plan and few changes you can have a healthy lifestyle without this detoxification process.

by ebbsandtides Friday, May 27, 2011 at 08:18AM Report as inappropriate

I don't care what everyone else says, this was a fun read.

by volta Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 12:13AM Report as inappropriate

I call bs. If someone eats well, and takes care of their body, they won't need all the detox "diets"!

by MissPurple Friday, April 29, 2011 at 12:49PM Report as inappropriate

Betrayal on the last slide :-(

by alictasia Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 10:54AM Report as inappropriate

Wow totalbeauty, you were *so* close - until you dropped the bomb at the end. I would have given this one perfect stars since it seems to discourage people from detox diets (which are disgusting, by the way) *but* they just had to add the two bs packages on the last slide.

by royalpoison Friday, April 8, 2011 at 06:15PM Report as inappropriate

detox diets only make you gain a lot of weight after!!

by judyangel101 Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 01:32PM Report as inappropriate

Although these detox diets work in the short-run, they may have lasting negative effects on your health in the long-run.

by epetrovi Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 02:04PM Report as inappropriate

I tried the Master Cleanse around a year ago. I did it about a week & I felt fantastic afterward. It really helps curb your appetite I still can only eat half of what I used to. I did not really do it to loose weight I just wanted an energy boost but I wound up losing a few pounds any way. I would only do this once a year, at MOST.

by pynkNymphette Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 04:03PM Report as inappropriate

I hate detox diets because I just don't believe in this crap and the word detox just sounds so harsh.

by CliniqueLover Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 06:05PM Report as inappropriate

I tried this Racco FibraLife shake too and I love it! I lost a few pounds (even without a diet) and my body feels lighter, without headaches and I have more energy. The other body cleansing diets I tried before didn't bring any results.

by nicolle_nogueira Friday, January 14, 2011 at 01:42PM Report as inappropriate

Instead of fasting I suggest taking a natural weight management shake that is made with oats, and soy fiber and will naturally inhibit appetite, reduce cholesterol, and enhance your overall health while you loose weight. A great shake is Fibra Life by RACCO Cosmetics, in 6 different flavors, it gives you options so that you don't get tired of it.

by renata_dors_berto Friday, January 14, 2011 at 10:50AM Report as inappropriate

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