Globe Magazine 3 3 | Page 18

What does it mean and how detoxification is really good at this time of year?

Post- holiday period is known for a few more pounds , that we, women constantly complain about.

Reaching for fast food, rolls, Russian salad and sweets is inevitable , but that is followed by those well known detoxification diets that often lead to decreased immunity , poor blood , and even some serious diseases , such as anemia .

Is detoxification really what we need to get rid of the excess weight and whether it helps or hinders us, you can read below.

What is detoxification ?

- Detoxification is actually the most risky diet that is based on receiving only liquids and huge caloric and nutritional deficit. It’s a one-day or ranged diet which in extreme cases deprives us of all possible nutrients, except water, of course. This diet can also have a menu which includes only fruit or fruit shakes.

Although these shakes are multifunction nutritious meals, if consumed as main and sole food, are very harmful for our body.

They are recommended for breakfast, but with a normal and proper balanced diet.

Why do nutritionists avoid this diet?

- First, nutrition as food science with all its macro and micro nutrients, is focusing not only on distribution of food as a necessary element for the survival of the people, but also as art. As such, dietary is seen a versatile game for nutrients with which we keep our health. Only with a balanced, healthy diet we can bring the body to perfection, and our health, primarily.

While on the other hand, detoxification is based on the consumption of only one type of nutrients, which can cause deficiency of others and undermines the balance of the substances in our body. We need to keep it well-balanced.

What can happen as a result of detoxification?

- Exhaustion , bad blood and reduced immunity are just a step towards anemia , anorexia or worse .

If you overdo with starving, you are risking not only your health as a segment, but also your life. All this leads to the basic symptoms of anorexia including: hair loss, lack of vitamin E , pallor ,hormonal disorders , scanty menstrual cycles etc. Although here anorexia is a taboo and is constantly associated with women , in the last few years it is clearly reflected in men , show the statistic at the Children's Clinic in Skopje , which primarily deals with such eating disorders. Bulimia is also an eating disorder where food ingested , often in excessive quantities, is dumped deliberately to induce vomiting .

How effective and healthy to solve the unnecessary pounds?

- As we mentioned before, the point is in the moderate eating. Balance is the key to everything in life, so it is with eating. It is recommended to be careful on holidays , and not to exaggerate but once that happens it must be prevented in a healthy and orderly manner .

My recommendation for this period as well as for eternity, is a healthy diet, mostly vegetarian as a long-term option , and mostly a lifestyle , not a short-term diet .

“Have breakfast alone, lunch with a friend and dinner with the enemy” is an often used saying when we talk about weight loss .

If you choose a healthy breakfast option, as vegetative cereals with milk or yogurt , fruit and tea or dark chocolate, for lunch whole grain bread combined with lots of fresh vegetables , or a so-called normal lunch, devoid of animal products , and easy dinner rich with fresh fruits and vegetables you are certainly on a right way to a healthier life that promises a long life and a healthy body weight .