Detox Bliss

A vegan is one who follows a lifestyle of excluding animals for food. Vegans have various reasons for opting for this lifestyle – religious, ethical, political, moral, rights advocacies, etc. - and because veganism is aligned with many accepted health principles, this philosophy is now gaining more and more followers.

Recent revealing studies have shown that farmed animal are given antibiotics and growth hormones, and these inevitably make their way into the food we eat. This has given vegans basis for saying that eating only fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, and other plants is a healthier alternative to an omnivore’s diet.

Contrary to belief, the vegan detox diet that’s now all the rage is not restricted to vegans. Even those that aren’t vegetarians may turn to this program for detoxification purposes. Usually, people who turn to the vegan detox diet aren’t too keen on taking medications to improve their overall health. Rather, they want to turn to natural food products to cleanse their bodies of undesirable buildup that has accumulated over time.

Sample vegan detox diet

Keep off: animal and dairy products, in-between-meals snacks, salt and sugar, and fruit juices and dried fruits

Consume limited amounts of: low-sugar soymilk, raw seeds and nuts, ground flaxseed, cooked starchy veggies (butternut squash, acorn squash, sweet potato), whole grains (breads and cereals of this variety).

Eat as much as you want of: all kinds of raw vegetables; fresh fruit; cooked green veggies; bean sprouts, legumes and beans or tofu; non-starchy vegetables; tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and eggplant, either cooked or raw.

As the vegan detox diet prohibits the use of salt and sugar, you can instead make use of herbs to enhance the taste of the food you eat. While you’re at it, make it a point to exercise every day, starting with a 30-minute workout plan gradually increasing to an hour, if manageable.

In addition, you should stay away from alcoholic drinks and those that contain caffeine. Even people who habitually take a cocktail or two regularly won’t find it difficult to keep of the spirits once they start the vegan detox diet because of the idea that you are purifying your systems. You must also drink as much distilled water as you can.
What to watch out for

Physicians warn against the potential dangers of, say, a 3-week vegan detox diet program. Make sure you first get a clearance from your doctor before you venture into something as drastic as this diet. Remember, you should always look after your daily protein requirements. Vegetarian diets prohibit meat, which makes up a large part of protein in an omnivore’s menu.

There are also going to be symptoms associetd with the vegan detox diet, so it helps to be aware of them before they are experienced. During the first two to three days, expect to find a little difficulty in sleeping. You will also inevitably go through hunger pangs, especially if you’re used to having full meals plus midday snacks, to boot. There may also be some stomachaches and cramps and periods of fluctuating waste elimination.

After a few days, though, you will feel “lighter” and you’ll begin to see changes in skin tone. This means that your body is adjusting to the change in diet and has also started getting rid of the harmful substances you’ve carried for so long.