Drug & Alcohol Detox Diet: What To Eat When Detoxing

Cut them out of your diet and your body will be able to restore balance quickly. You’ll feel the results on your waistline and energy levels. A simple detox that promotes toxin elimination and good health includes lots of fruits and vegetables — five to nine servings per day says the organization. A serving of vegetables is 2 cups, and a serving of fruit is 1.5 cups. Cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, artichokes and leeks are good. The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics published a review in December 2015 noting that there is no substantial clinical evidence supporting the use of detox diets, however.

Many people begin to feel better within a few days of the program. Symptoms such as mild headaches, joint aches or changes in bowel habits can occur. Those who rely on daily caffeine or sugar will be more likely to experience these initial minor symptoms. But by the end of the seven days, many people report feeling more energized with fewer cravings for sugar, and most will notice weight loss.

Drink more water

As a result, onion and garlic have powerful anti-bacterial and immune-boosting properties. Dill contains chemicals that help with the activation of glutathione, a liver antioxidant that attaches to free radical molecules and disarms them. Add naturally fermented foods such as plain yogurt, kimchi and kefir to your diet. Apiaceous vegetables, such as carrots, celery and parsley, offer value on a detoxification diet, too, due to the presence of caffeic acid. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition published a paper in October 2016 noting that caffeic acid has antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antiviral effects.

When detoxing from stimulants, it’s important to gradually increase food intake and drink plenty of water to rehydrate. While eating something that can give you gas to slim down for spring may sound counterintuitive, it’s actually a solid strategy. To reap the benefits at home, add lentils, chickpeas, peas, and beans into your weekly diet. Those were the exact types of legumes participants ate in the study. Instead of overhauling your entire diet in an attempt to slim down for New Year’s, simply eat half a grapefruit before each meal. This tactic can help whittle your middle—by up to an inch—in just six-weeks according to a study published in the journal Metabolism.

That said, many people also report feeling very unwell during the detox period. However, these compounds generally are removed from or limited in commercial products today . Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Sunflower Seeds

They are often filled with inflammatory saturated fats, sugar and chemicals that the liver must filter out. Eating clean, nutrient-dense foods helps replenish nutrient stores, prevent extra work for the liver and calm inflammation to promote faster healing. The term “toxin” in the context of detox diets is loosely defined. It typically includes pollutants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and processed foods, which can negatively affect health.

One of those waste products is a protein called beta-amyloid, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease . When this happens, your liver cannot function adequately and perform its necessary tasks — including filtering waste and other toxins from your body. Ginger and garlic instantly raise the flavor profile of most hot foods, and spices do alcoholics drink every day the 5 types of alcoholics such as cumin, turmeric, cayenne, cardamom, and cinnamon also pack some detox benefits. Maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and leave you with plenty of energy. Lemon, like all citrus fruits, is rich in antioxidant Vitamin C. Collard greens increase bile acid binding, which makes it easier for bile to bind to large lipid molecules and pull them apart.

Keep in mind that, not only do other drinks compete for your daily intake of water, but some of them may run completely counter to your cleansing objectives. So, when you have a choice between water and anything else – soda, coffee, energy drinks, and other specialty beverages – choose water. Like vegetables, fruits contain phytonutrients that may provide health benefits. The USDA dietary guidelines recommend healthy adults incorporate at least 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups of fruit per day. The cleanse will last for a full seven days, starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. You’ll be eliminating a few potential food intolerances and increasing your intake of veggies, fruits and water.

The Most Common Ways to Detox

The Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism paper also noted that allium vegetables, which includes garlic, onions, scallions, chives and leeks, have detoxifying effects. This is due to the presence of a compound known as astaxanthin. This carotenoid has the potential to prevent diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, explains a paper published in a January 2014 issue of Marine Drugs. Your personal detoxifying ability depends on genetic factors, lifestyle habits, environment and general health.

While no formal studies have linked lemon water to detoxing, water is an essential part of a healthy, functioning metabolism. When you drink it, you give your body the energy it needs to cleanse itself of toxins. While detox diets may seem tempting, their benefits likely have nothing to do with vanquishing toxins, but rather with eliminating various unhealthy foods. Refined grains don’t provide this same benefit which means that continuing to eat them while on a cleanse is actually working against your cleansing goals. So, when the options are in front of you, always choose whole grain products over refined.

Use only nontoxic cleaning products and personal-care products. “Substance use recovery and diet.” MedlinePlus, January 12, 2022. Mahboub, N., et al. “Nutritional status and eating habits of […] a narrative review.” Nutrition Reviews, June 2021.

Common misconceptions about detoxing

Fish like salmon and tuna have a special type of omega-3 fat called DHA, whichplays a major rolein brain function. Nuts and seeds are high in calories, so if a person is struggling with nausea during 10 most common reasons for addiction relapse a detox, a small handful of nuts provides a good dose of nutrients. While many foods help ease the symptoms of withdrawal and improve the recovery process, certain foods hinder the healing process.

Natural fruit sugar is fine as long as you don’t eat fruit excessively. And be wary of juicing – you lose the benefit of the fiber in the whole fruit. If you are underweight, I would not recommend a cucumber detox as you will likely lose even more weight. Personally, I’m not keen on short juice detoxes as I feel they don’t have any long term impact on your health. Have a browse of my detox guide for ideas on how you can ‘reboot’ to a healthier diet. I’d say that this would do you no harm – but personally, I think eating a healthy diet every day of the week is a better way to go.

There is a lack of regulation and monitoring in the detox industry, and many detox foods and supplements may not have any scientific basis. Studies in women show that both a 48-hour fast and a 3-week period of reduced calorie intake may medications for treating alcohol dependence increase your stress hormone levels . While some people may lose a lot of weight quickly, this effect seems to be due to loss of fluid and carb stores rather than fat. This weight is usually regained quickly once you go off the cleanse.

Vegetables, fruits, whole-grains and beans are high in fiber and therefore help toxins out of the body through the bowels. Nuts and seeds are high in fat-soluble vitamins that activate the brain cells and improve overall cell functioning. Green, leafy vegetables like kale and spinach are some of the most nutrient-packed foods on the planet. The fiber in greens helps keep blood sugar levels steady, which can reduce symptoms ofirritability, anxiety and cravings. Greens are high in the specific nutrients that people recovering from chronic alcohol or drug use need, such as vitamins A, B, C, calcium and potassium.

Contact ustoday to learn more aboutour medical detox programsand to determine if detoxing in a medical facility is the best route for you. Our helpful representatives are ready to answer your questions and walk you through the process. Chronic opioid useslows down the digestion process, resulting in constipation, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain. These unpleasant symptoms can make it difficult for someone using opioids to eat enough food. In addition, when improperly digested food stays in the gut for too long, it can trigger inflammation that leads toleaky gut syndrome. This causes deficiencies in vitamin C, vitamin B3, folate, potassium, selenium, zinc and magnesium.

The point of a detox is to reduce your toxin load and lay off hard-to-digest foods to boost your overall wellness. The best detox foods are vegetables, fruit, whole-grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Vegetables and fruits contain enzymes that help improve digestion and also many nutrients that are strong detoxifying agents.

The complex carbs found in whole grains help stabilize blood sugar and provide sustained energy. Keeping blood sugar balanced reduces irritability, anxiety and cravings. Carbs and B vitamins are also involved in theproduction of serotonin, which can improve mood and decrease cravings. Drinking plenty of water and eating nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains and leafy greens, can be incredibly beneficial during the detox process.

Milk Thistle

Out goes junk food, packaged, processed and tinned foods and in comes meals freshly prepared and cooked by you. Herbal and nutritional therapies can boost the cleansing process. But because it is not safe for everyone to take certain herbs and nutrients, those who feel they need a more in-depth cleanse/detox should consult a provider regarding the best program for them.

The caffeine in green tea also gives this energizing drink a diuretic effect, which helps to alleviate bloating by counteracting water retention. Artichokes contain antioxidant plant compounds called caffeoylquinic acids, which are used to treat hepatic disorders because they stimulate bile flow. Bile helps the body to digest fats, and efficient bile flow clears the system of potentially inflammatory substances contained in fatty foods. All of these foods create toxicity and wreak havoc on your blood sugar.

• If you’re used to eating a lot of processed food, cutting it out of your diet can actually lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as sadness, tiredness, cravings, and increased irritability.
• You can look for fun ways to make more nutritious versions of your favorite “processed” options.
• Please consult with your doctor to find out if there is an underlying problem that needs treatment.
• Dates are very high in sugar so they may not be suitable for a strict detox.

Generally, after foods have been prepared and cooked there are very few phytates left to interfere with mineral absorption. I can only see this being a problem if you have a compromised digestive system, eat mainly raw foods, or very low levels of minerals. In those cases, I would suggest getting your mineral levels checked in a blood test at your family doctor.