Detox Diets Don't Work

These products are usually not effective. The best way to detoxify is to eliminate many of the toxins you take in on a daily basis and take in lots of pure water every day.

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A lot of them have some sort of diuretic and laxative in them as well. Not exactly healthy! I mean, sure you lose weight, but it's nothing but water weight and what's in your gut. I agree...better to just drink water.

Hey does this include the Fat Flush Plan?? I'm about to start this diet, and it seems to revolve around detoxification (of your liver, in particular). Hopefully its not like this!!

Anne - I know the Fat Flush diet, by Ann Gittlemen. It is a popular diet. The first phase is quite tough - lower calories and tight food restrictions. I tend to think the detox claims are probably overrated.

I stand by the statements in the post. There's no point putting yourself thru a gruelling dieting regimen - just to return to poor eating habits a few days or weeks later.

Come back and tell us how you're doing with Fat Flush.

Don't this things also usually involve juice fasts, and colonics? They make people believe that their intestines and kidneys are unable to get rid of waste and toxins by themselves.

What is your take on "Carb/Starch Blocker" pills?

Bonnie - everything I've read written by experts is that they don't work. The opinion seems to be that even if these substances could block carb, it wouldn't happen from taking a few pills - you'd have to eat pounds of the stuff for it to absorb part of the carb.

how about the "3 day fruit flush" detox? it basically consists of protein shakes and fruit-- most recently presented in FIRST magazine (vol 18, issuse 02).
i'd like to know the take of others before investing in a $15 protein powder.

Cris if you want to do that, you could buy cheaper protein powder. Look online, as it tends to be cheaper. Optimum Nutrition is a good brand that is often the cheapest.

But the point is the whole idea of these detox diets. They make you pee and poop a lot. Then you think you've lost weight, but in reality, it is just water and waste. I think whey is a convenient source of protein, and fruit is good for you, but you'd be better off looking into a long-term plan that incorporates these but doesn't exclude other foods.

From what I understand, the 3 day Fruit Flush is suppose to prep your body for healthier eating. It's suppose to help curb your cravings, give you more enery, detox your body and to me it seems like it would shrink your stomach. So after your off, your not eating as big of portions as you used to. As far as going back to poor eating habits a few days or few weeks later, some of the 3 day plans suggest that you do the 3 day flush for a maximum of 12 weeks, so, 3 days on and then 4 days off for 12 weeks. On the 4 days that your off you just eat like you have "some sense". It seems like a good idea to me. I am going to try it for the 12 week maximum (3 days on, 4 days off). On my 4 days off, I am going to eat meals suggested from the GI diet ( the low glycemic index diet). Hopefully it will give me a good start to some serious weight loss. My goal is to loose 80 pounds. Do you think this will work?

Chynny, how many calories is that plan? Cause cutting them too low will work against you in the long run (and losing 80lb is a long run thing - I've been there myself). I wouldn't cut calories to any lower than 300-400 calories less than what you are currently eating (track your unrestricted food in FitDay.com if you don't know how many). If you currently eat 2,500, you would want to cut down to 2,200, for example, and stay at that point until you reach a major stall in your weight loss (2 weeks with no loss of weight or inches).

As for the GI diet, it sounds good to me.

Chynny, good for you! It seems you've decided to really take charge of your life and get healthy. I think you have the right idea by trying this 3 day fruit flush for several weeks. You will undoubtedly lose weight and the nutritional benefit of fresh fruit is without comparison. As far as cutting calories too low working against you " in the long run " I am not a nutritionist nor am I an MD so I cannot say that this is scientifically inaccurate..I can only tell you that from my own personal experience that when I eat a low calorie diet (usually 900-1100 calories per day) I lose weight quite rapidly and do not regain it afterward so long as I do eat like I have "some sense". Congrats again on your decision to lose some weight!

jen, I'm glad it works for you. I had always wanted to find someone for whom very low calorie dieting worked. I knew there had to be someone, or doctors wouldn't keeping recommending them - cause in my experience, I only see people yo-yo or eat 700 calories everyday for the rest of their lives to maintain their weight, I'd never seen anyone do that and then go back to eating close to normal at leat (1,500, let's say) and not balloon up to fatter than when they first started.

As for the science behind it, look up "starvation mode", if you are interested. It explains why for most overweight people, it works against them.

I'm looking to try that 3-day Fruit flush plan but I can't find it anywhere. I heard about it from a friend of mine who did it and it worked for her. However since then she has thrown out the magazine the article was in and I can't seem to find it. Does anyone know where I can find this plan on the internet?

I am about to start the fruit flush also. You can get it online. type in fruit flush and you will see jb robb fruit flush or something like that. I just saw it about 20 minutes ago. you can buy his ebook for 5.00.

Hope this helps

Laura, I am on the 3-day diet as well this is my second week on it I purchased the mag at Albertsons I just saw it yesterday again I still have it if you would like I can E-mail .
Good Luck!!! Gloria

I'm working with 3 women who are doing this "fruit flush" plan. It seems a bit extreme, as most "diet plans" are anyway. I'm not seeing any results in the ladies but apparently, it makes then feel good that they are on some kind of "diet". I guess you're nobody unless you are on the latest fad diet train. If people just ate good food in MODERATION (try portion control people!) and exercised a minimum of 3x week....bingo - a healthier you.

J you are right about moderations...I am a mother of 3 boys and my husbands is a amazing man. He deployed to Afghanistan in March 2005 and I went up to 298lbs. I have always been big (250 up and down a few). I always placed everyone before me. Everyone has always loved me and liked me just like I was...I was the fun friend, the jolly mom and the comfortable wife. But I didn't love myself. I decided two months after he left I wasn't gonna get pass 300 lbs. It was time to take care of me. I started slow going to the gym 3 times a week and walking everyday atleast 20 minutes. then I got my diet under control...I cut fats out of my favorite foods, added fruits and veggies ,made sweet snacks healthier and ate at least 5 times a-day small meals for 6 days. I gave me one day off to have one meal no question...no worries...well it worked in 7 months I went from 298lbs to 238lbs. I went from jogging pants to sexy jeans!! Now my husband comes home in a few months and I would like to go down to atleast a size 16. I plan to continue from there. So if a mother of 3 boys, wife of a amazing soldier and woman that didn't sacrafies her favorite foods can do it ...ANYONE CAN...I am a true believer that once you start to love yourself you don't need to diet...just eat in moderations and enjoy life. Eventually your stomach gets small you just don't crave all that junk and excercising is FUN....so for all those women out there looking for the newest craze...I have one for you...JUST LOVE YOURSELF. We are all beautiful:)

Yvonne, you are a great inspiration.

J I think you got why people like these detox diets - the self-sacrifice makes them feel good. It is about the stoicism, not about actual results.

Jim, maybe you can write something on that?

Good for you Yvonne :) Sounds like you have it under control and I'm sure the spouse is pleased.

I have never had a weight issue so it may be difficult for me to understand what alot of people go thru. I do live these diets vicariously thru the ladies here at work though.

It just seems that so many times, they try these diets, go off them, and then back on. Like a roller coaster I suppose.

My cousin is exactly like you describe - she will punish herself with these fruit fasts or soup only, then go off them, eat junk, go back... not very healthy.

Hi, I am not too sure about this Fruit Flush plan as a) fruit is pretty high in sugar and b) most protein shakes are full of whey which pretty much would go against the whole point of detoxing. I am definitely up for being proven wrong though so I am going to read up on it as much as I can!

I think that the only danger of detoxes lays in the reasons that people undertake them. They are not a quick fix and they should not be seen solely as a weight loss thing.

They should be to kickstart a new healthy lifestyle (ongoing) otherwise they can do more harm than good!

Ross

Hi,everybody !! re:diets all the hype etc. I myself had never had a weight problem until my third child 9 years after the second I was always thin and in shape I made the mistake of induldging big time I figured no problem I will just work out watch what I eat no problem my child is now 3 1/2 years old I have been checked out by doctors I go to the gym at least 4X a week I do my cardio and I lift weights I do the small meals beleive me I have done it all consistantly and the weight lingers I will admit I get very hungry when I work out my biggest down fall, but let me tell you I have just completed my 2nd round of this fruit flush I have lost 13 pounds it maybe water like some one above said ,but I will tell you the feeling of acomplishment is unbeleivable it is a kick-start to training yourself how to eat smaller meals and getting used to eating every 2 hours. I dont know if it will be long term or not, but I am determined to make it that way( eating every 2 hours ). Not every diet is for everybody this one is perfect for me I consider it a new way of eating I had to do something, I am always on the go I find myself making better choices and every two hours I make sure I snack on something out of habbit I am very excited to make this work and you know what they say nothing tastes as good as it feels to be thin!!! well good luck to those who try this diet or venture on to others, let me know how it goes to those that feel it is a gimick or a fad it may be like I thought,but I felt I had to try it first and I did I love it and its easy and convenient!!!when I fit into my jeans this morning nobody could of burst my bubble!!!! :)I still have 30 pounds to go, but this is what I needed a short-cut and a little taste of what I am working for!!!!
Good Luck!!!

Well, this has been an interesting conversation! I think Yvonne, too, is an amazing inspiration. I have found that while detesting my body and being disgusted at the sizes I have to buy can be motivation for a short-term period, a healthier attitude is neccessary to achieve long-term success. I can starve myself and work out for a little while, but like everyone else, I inevitably fall into the trap of "screwing up" and then loathing myself even more. It's a vicious cycle. But when I exercise to be healthy and take care of myself, I am much more inclined to eat right and feel better (if you can avoid the "i exercised so i'll just eat this pie" mentality!). There's much more to life than weight loss. Rather than putting your life on hold "until I'm a size two again", embrace life. It's easier to lose weight when you're not obsessing about it constantly.

I've done sacred heart in the past, and enjoyed it. I've water fasted, too. Someone said it right- it's a good jumpstart sometimes, and it's exciting to ditch the water weight right off the bat. I am stronger about sticking to my plan if I am seeing the numbers go down, even if it's only quickly for a short time. Also, the stomach shrinking does help. Fruit, to me, is sugary and seems to make me hungrier. Combined with veggies, though, it's quite doable.

Thanks for the info on "starvation mode", Jan. I have read some about this in magazines, but perhaps I should also say that I have never had to "diet" for more than a couple or three weeks because I am not nor have I ever been actually overweight. Perhaps this is why I can do ok on low cal diets without experiencing the yo-yo effect.
Yvonne, you keep talking about what an amazing man your husband is...sounds to me like you're pretty amazing yourself! Taking care of three boys and having to be away from your husband for the past year....I would be a wreck! Congrats on your newfound self-esteem AND your 60 lb weight loss!

jen, I think it messes you up more if you are doing the low-calorie diets pretty close to one another, like say, a month on, a month off - that is what my cousin does. It is amazing that she weighs now the same she weighed 4 years ago, but her body has changed so much, and for the worse - she wears a bigger size, but it seems like her weight shifted from "good areas", like breasts and butt, all to her stomach, which is now bigger than the breasts. I look at pictures and I can't believe it.

DO NOT listen to these people who say that the Fruit Flush type diets/fasts doesen't work. I am living proof that they do. I've always been in good physical shape, and have had a reasonably good diet for years. I excersise several times a week, and even with my body fat being less than 10%, I was able to lose 18 pounds in a little over 5 weeks using the fruit flush. I didn't do anything different than I normally do other than for the three days of the program. My diet has improved a little since the last time I did the flush (around 4 1/2 weeks ago) and I have actually lost about another 6 pounds since then for a total of 24 pounds in 10 weeks. I will say that I believe that it is imperative that one does excercise regularly, or any diet that you go on will be a complete waste of time in the long run. That is, unless you eat only 700 calories a day for the rest of your life as someone eluded to earlier. You MUST burn more calories than you eat to lose weight, period. Diet or no diet. And make sure you drink plenty of water no matter what.

I would encourage anyone to try this type of diet/fasting program to see if it works for you instead of just asking someone who's never even tried it.

P.S. I am a 28 year old male if anyone was wondering.

Yvonne, you are truley a great inspiration. I am a 29 year old wife and mother of two, a son and a daughter. Within 5 years I have gained 25lbs. I have started to feel insecure about myself. For the last month or so I have been faithfully exercising, walking on the treadmill for an hour a day, approximately 3 miles, along with 40 sit-ups a day. I have also cut back on the foods I take in, "eating in moderation." I no longer eat after 6:00p.m. I have started to eat more greens, which I once despised. Today I started the 3 day fruit flush diet. With all the changes that I am making plus inspiration from women, like yourself, I believe I will lose these unwanted 25lbs.

This is for Lindsay, Hi girl when I read your conversation I remembered those feelings all to well I to would just get repulsed and have the same conversation daily in the morning with myself this day I am making changes I will do this differently or I will do that and then that one wrong choice I made would just down ward spiral well all I can tell you is that I guess what finally got me on track was getting to that space within myself that I was truly ready not disgusted in myself ,but truly ready!!! Dont do it for any other reason ,but yourself reward yourself on goals weekly not long term like at the end but weekly I also purchased an outfit that I really wanted in mid-size as a way to go incentive also I myself find it helpful to read Oxygen magazine please dont let the muscle girls fool you read the articles they are very very inspirational all well most of these woman did not look this way, but if you read their stories they are amazing also they give out great work out tips and diet ideas and even sometimes recipes I will tell you I have had this subscription for about two years and never took the time to actually read it I would just set them aside for that extra time I thought I would get. I could kick myself I have learned so much in just the 4 I have red I went back and started reading others alot of great ideas that way you can compound it into something that you can stick with it did take me awhile to put it into good use that is why this fruit flush is so wonderful for me beacause it boosted me into starting position ,anyway I just wanted to let you know Good Luck!!! I know you will do it,because you sound like I did!! I beleive in you!! I really do.

I just read the sharings about the 3-day fruit flush that was in the 1/9/06 issue of First magazine. I talked my husband into it. We've just finished our day of 5 protein shakes (I bought Whey vanilla at Wal-Mart, around $11 for a large container), and a 6-cup fresh vegetable salad with 6 oz. grilled chicken. I was full after 4 cups, so I'm continuing the salad at supper tomorrow night. We eat fruit (which I'm gonna love) for two days. I'm not overly worried about losing weight on this plan, but hope to detox the junk food from my system, and get away from eating it. To feel more energetic (though I use a gazelle every morning while I watch the news), and hopefully, sleep better at night. The shakes aren't bad! I just wish my garden was growing (we have snow :), as it would be a lot less expensive eating. I'd like to hear how everyone else does when they finish up the 3 days. I'll be listening. :)