Detox Diets, The Skinny on Juices, Eat More to Lose Weight: A Registered Dietician at Women's Health tackles this month's topics...
Q. Are there any health benefits to "detox" diets that make you fast for the first few days?
No. The kidneys and liver remove toxins from teh body, so there is no biological need for that kind of diet. In fact, prolonged fasting can lead to headaches, fatigue, and low blood sugar. Bur if you're just starting a diet, you might want to try a "modified" detox: Eliminate starchy carbs, refined sugars, and alcohol for 3 days to lose weight and boost your motivation.
Q. I love making my own juice. Is this a weight-conscious way to get my five a day?
All juice, including homemade, is a concentrated source of sugar and calories, not great if you're trying to lose weight. Whole fruits and vegetables are much better, in part becase they contain fiber that keeps you full longer. Bur juice is packed with vitamins and antioxidants like beta carotene, so if it's the only way you can swallow your fruits and veggies, go for it. Just limit your servings to 4 ounces a day.
Q. I lost 13 lbs by eating 1000 calories a day for three months. For the past three days, I've eaten 500 calories but gained half a pound. Why?
The gain is probably just because you're retaining fluid. The real problem is that your calorie intake is way too llow! eating so little slows down your metabolism, which can cause you to gain weight quickly when you start eating normally again. Eat a minimum of 1200 caloires and get 20 minutes of exercise daily to keep your metabolism up.
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