Do you know what a depurative diet is ? It is a diet to eliminate toxins and liquids . It is also known as diet ‘detox’ and today we will explain what it is, how to carry it out and the benefits it has for your body.
What is a depurative diet?
The depurative or ‘detox’ diets are those that are carried out with the intention of releasing toxins from some organs of the body such as the kidneys, liver, intestine or skin . It is a matter of eating healthy nutrients with the intention of cleaning those organs in which an excess of fat has accumulated and which are also affected by substances present in many foods, especially pre-cooked and ultra-processed ones: excess salt, preservatives, dyes, etc.
To carry out a cleansing diet, the idea is to eat foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins, mostly fruits and vegetables. Thus, the foods that are ideal for this type of diet, and that we will see next, favor the elimination of toxins and liquids through urine on the one hand, and fiber, on the other.
The smoothies of fruits and vegetables, known as ‘smoothies’ have made this diet famous: it is about mixing foods that will help us cleanse our organs. However, we can not base the whole diet on these shakes: they are a complement, but we must add other foods to our day to day life.
When, how and who can make a depurative diet?
Most experts agree that the best time to carry out a depurative diet is with seasonal changes, although a large part of the people who start this process do so after times when there are too many excesses: vacations , Christmas, parties, etc.
There is no generic agreement on how long a detox diet should last . Some professionals believe that it should extend between one and two weeks, although there are experts who say that it is best to do it more strictly for 3, 4 or 5 days.
Anyone can follow this type of diet, although it is necessary to contact a professional to act as a guide according to the needs of each one. Since the organs most affected by this type of diet are the kidneys and the liver, people who have problems with them are the ones who should pay more attention if possible to the food they eat.
What are the benefits of the depurative diet?
A cleansing diet does not have to mean that you have to go hungry , but you will base your diet on ingredients that help you purify some of your most important organs. Thanks to that change, you will achieve several benefits:
- Absorb more vitamins and minerals.
- Clean our digestive system.
- Eliminate gases
- Lose weight easier by reducing belly.
- Have less allergies
- Delaying aging
- Stop retaining liquids
- Improve the immune system.
- Avoid constipation
- Lower the cholesterol level.
- Soften the skin
Foods allowed in a depurative diet
The depurative diet or ‘detox’ consists mainly of fruits and vegetables, but it is not the only thing we can eat.
Vegetables allowed in a depurative diet
Artichokes, spinach, asparagus, beet, zucchini …
Fruits allowed in a depurative diet
Grapes, oranges, apples, kiwi, strawberries, pineapple, melon or pear. Banned banana
Other foods allowed in a depurative diet
- White fish: hake, sole, monkfish, cod …
- White or lean meats: chicken, turkey, rabbit, lamb …
- Vegetable proteins: legumes or peas.
- Other foods: quinoa, whole grains, milk without lactose.
- Milk substitutes: soy milk, rice milk, almond milk, etc.
Prohibited foods in a depurative diet
- Animal proteins: blue fish, red meats …
- Refined flour: includes batters …
- Sugars and excess salt.
- Beverages with sugars.
- Ultra processed food
- Trans fats: pastries, butters, fried …
- Sausages
- Sauces and concentrated condiments.
- Dairy products.
- Coffee and alcohol
Much more than shakes to eliminate toxins and liquids
The depurative diet or diet ‘detox’ is usually identified with the shakes of vegetables and fruits, known as ‘smoothies’, but there are many experts who stress the importance of expanding the diet beyond those ‘green’ preparations. Diets that do not reach 1500 calories per day generate a loss of muscle mass, so you have to combine these shakes with other foods.
In addition, there are voices that do not believe in this type of diet since betting on a diet ‘detox’ would mean accepting that the body is intoxicated and do not understand that it is so. One thing is to clean and another, detoxify.
