Oprah Winfrey frequently discusses dieting issues – often going as far as teaming up with particular weight loss regimes (such as YOU: on a diet, or the Best Life Diet).
Recently Oprah embarked on a 21 day vegan ‘cleansing’ regime and blogged about it. It makes interesting reading.The “cleanse” means eliminating caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten and animal products from your diet for 21 days.
Detoxes are very popular these days – however the science behind some of these diets (such as Martha’s Vineyard Diet) is dubious indeed. Some cleanses are extreme, and possibly even dangerous. Mike Howard does a great job here pointing out the various arguments for and against a detox.
Quantum Wellness
Oprah’s 21 Day cleanse is based on a book called Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston. For Oprah it meant going beyond eating mindfully, but going to a “higher level” of “conscious eating”.
“She [Freston] speaks of ‘spiritual integrity.’ How can you say you’re trying to spiritually evolve, without even a thought about what happens to the animals whose lives are sacrificed in the name of gluttony?.”
It seems like there is a bit of hyperbole here. I would point out that not everyone around the world is eating animals because of gluttony – for some it may be survival.
However – being conscious of where our food comes from is a good thing. As food prices rise and the world’s resources are consumed in ever-higher amounts – I cannot help wondering how sustainable a high-meat diet is. All kudos to Oprah for experiencing a vegan diet for 3 weeks (even if she does have chefs on hand).
Sample Menu Plan 5 (see more)
- Breakfast: Strawberry-rhubarb wheat-free crepes
- Lunch: Mezze plate (white-bean hummus, millet tabouli, balsamic fig compote, marinated olives and almond-rosemary crackers)
- Dinner: Celery root soup and Tempeh Creole over grilled corn cakes
A brief read through some of Oprah’s posts shows how at times she was gagging for a glass of wine. I can’t help thinking how – for many of us – food and alcohol is our (socially acceptable) drug of choice – something we rely on to relieve the boredom or to cover over the stress.
While I’m doubtful about whether there are proven medical improvements resulting from such a “cleanse” – increased awareness of how our food choices affect us and the world around us is a good thing.
UPDATE: Check out this interesting interview of Kathy Freston.
I am not properly convinced about detox after reading this post.According to me we should not implement any kind of such procedures without professional nutritionist consultation.Infact, the diet plan mentioned may result in weakness and lack of amunity which is quite harmful for human health.I would suggest that instead of using detox to minimize toxicants form the body,one must eat every thing but in fixed quatity.Secondly water is the matural source which helps in reducing excessive weight and elimination of toxins.Cleansing to loose weight could be easily done by modification in eating habits as well.
It is great that you brought attention to that Jennifer. Anyone wanting to do a Daniel Fast/ Detox, just follow the “detox” above and read the bible. The book of John, Acts, Romans and on throught the New Testament. Something powerful will happen over your 21 day fast. Also read the book of Daniel for greater dreams and visions!
It is great that you brought attention to that Jennifer. Anyone wanting to do a Daniel Fast/ Detox, just follow the “detox” above and read the bible. The book of John, Acts, Romans and on throught the New Testament. Something powerful will happen over your 21 day fast. Also read the book of Daniel for greater dreams and visions!
Honestly, I’ve been reading all this and I’m really just disgusted. Stop bashing each other for what food preference they have. It’s no one’s right to belittle someone for being a vegetarian or meat lover. Who cares?! We all have our own preferences.
Amen to the Vegan comment. I’ve been around my share of “vegan’s” and they are the most judgemental people who do not have common sense at all. I for one love meat……and if I chose to not eat meat, its my choice! Why is it that Vegan’s can’s seem to get this concept? Its because Veganism is a religion and they are looking for converts.
It is obvious that our discussion focusses on good health. Whatever our food preferences or practices might be, I think we can all agree that temperance in all things is fundamental to good health. Furthermore, I think it is imperative that each one of us understands our own body and its nutritional needs.Personally, I feel a need from time to time to give my body a rest and simply indulge in fruit or raw vegetables. I have discovered that 8 glasses of 8ounces of water are very essential and for the cleansing part of the colon I take 2 to four tsp of psyllium husk or ground flax seed with water. Much more could be said on this subject but I am still learning. So far I have done well at 78.
i did this diet.. and on day 22 i looked at the scale and had lost 19 lbs. FANTASTIC DIET.. so im on it again… this time less cheating
How did you just replace the word Cleanse with Gluteny? What a moron..
All rich people with master chefs to ensure nutritional needs are met. The average off the street vegan looks pathetic, weak, jaundiced and malnurished…but not to be outdone by the bloated, fat, mouth-breathers who pile on the meats. Ideal is somewhere in the middle.
No, dog is far too stringy and has a kind of pungent taste, I think that’s why we don’t eat them instead we keep them as watchers over the house. However they are at least good for something.
Pamela Anderson, Woody Harrelson, Natalie Portman, Tobey McGuire, Andre 3000 … these people don’t look like they’re about to “keel over”.
THIS IS THE DANIIEL 21 DAY FAST!!!!! tHIS FAST IS DONE TO GROW A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LORD.And also to hear directly from him. I think it is so sad how someone would try to turn it into a diet and then change the name.