Nutritional Articles
Learning to Spot a Lemon
Heal thyself! Improve digestion! Eliminate toxins!
These are the claims from the latest diet fad, the lemon cleanse.
Of course it’s not just any lemonade that works but freshly squeezed, with maple syrup (Grades B or C only) added. Combine this with a few exotic sounding supplements, drink the concoction every one-to-two hours a day for up to 40 days straight, and voila! You have the magic potion necessary for losing weight quickly and staying healthy.
Or, do you? Diets like these are at best, foolhardy, and at worst, dangerous. After a day or two on this regimen, of course you’ll lose weight ― because you’ll be starving yourself! Additionally, you’ll be left feeling unsatisfied, weak, and probably grumpy. In contrast, eating wholesome foods is satisfying because of the tastes and textures they provide. They also give you the energy you need to function. And let’s face it, eating right just makes you feel good.
With all the diet plans and weight loss programs out there today, it’s clearly difficult to know which is the best plan to follow or what program will bring the desired results. But fasting, or detoxing your way to being slim and trim is not only unnecessary ― there’s no medical reason to take a break from eating (your liver, kidneys, and intestines do a fine job of managing the foods you eat and purifying purported toxins) ― but can do much more harm than good. They can cause dehydration, mineral imbalances, and problems with the digestive system. Plus, while you may drop pounds, most of it will be water and some of it may be muscle. As soon as you start eating normally again, you’ll just as quickly gain the weight back.
Bottom line: If you’re concerned that you might be overweight, talk with a doctor who can help you determine the cause and recommend ways to address the issue. The following tips from the American Academy of Family Physicians apply to any healthy weight loss plan:
- Eat breakfast every day and don’t skip meals.
- Eat a variety of foods (including plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits) to get all of your daily nutrients.
- Limit your daily intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
- Limit the amount of sugar in your diet.
- Limit liquid calories. Try to choose whole fruits rather than juices, and avoid sugary soft drinks and alcohol.
- Watch the size of your portions.
- Exercise on a regular basis.
- Be more physically active in your daily life.
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Have questions regarding this article? Ask the Nutritionist.
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