What is a detox and why do you need one?

Every day detox programs are gaining popularity on the Internet. To lose weight in a record number of days, to cleanse your body of toxins and toxins – well, perhaps it does sound tempting. We managed to talk to Margarita Koroleva, the #1 nutritionist in Russia according to Forbes magazine, head of the company “Royal Diet”, and ask her the most common questions about detox programs that we managed to find on the web.

The first meal and food diary from Royal Ration

– All detox programs are based on the principle of split meals. Why is fractional eating so popular and how does it help to start the cleansing process?
Margarita Koroleva: Fractional and frequent meals perfectly stimulate intestinal peristalsis, which improves all metabolic processes, including the removal of harmful substances from our body. In addition, increased peristalsis prevents toxins from lingering, which come with some harmful products. Deeper purification is carried out by active substances in our detox courses.

– What ingredients can you say are versatile?

• Citrus fruits – contain a rich multivitamin composition and are among the leaders in vitamin C content. Possess enough fiber to actively trigger digestion.
• Celery is often used in our detox programs because of its content of vitamins A, E, K and B vitamins, as well as a large number of trace elements. It contains a large amount of antioxidants that enhance the body’s natural cleansing functions, as well as certain substances that have a positive effect on blood viscosity.
• Green apple, containing a large amount of pectin substances, which, being in the intestines, perfectly pull out harmful toxins from the body.

The first meal. Juice based on lemon, orange, ginger and physalis. Invigorating and tonic!

– What goals do people who book a detox usually set for themselves, and what is the optimal number of days of a detox program to achieve each goal?
– As a rule, people ordering a detox program have several goals – to lose weight and naturally cleanse the body. That being said, it is important to understand that weight loss requires a longer period of proper nutrition, which we always inform you about before scheduling a program. In this case, it is best to be on a calorie-restricted program for a while at the beginning, and at the end or in the middle to do a detox. If the person is not concerned about being overweight and the goal is only cleansing, it is possible to do only detox with the correct entry and exit.

– The first meal is cold-pressed juice, is it dangerous for the stomach to drink juice on an empty stomach?
– Long-term juice consumption on an empty stomach can lead to stomach problems. If there are no problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then the detox program can safely be tried. Among the contraindications to the use of juices are any inflammatory diseases of the stomach and intestines, especially in the acute stage.

Evening snack – salad with raspberry sauce and afternoon meal – smoothie based on almond milk. Nourishing and healthy.

– You often use superfoods (chia, almond milk, etc.) in your recipes. What is a superfood? And how functionally beneficial is it really?
– Superfoods are foods that contain the maximum amount of myuronutrients – vitamins and antioxidants. Daily consumption of superfoods reliably contributes to better health, increased vitality, and improved overall well-being. Virtually every one of our juices contains one of these foods, and therein lies the success of the entire program. In addition, superfoods are also included in weight loss programs, they help to quickly restore lightness and boost metabolism in the first stages. Due to such products we achieve a good vitamin composition even in the lowest calorie programs.

– The detox program I went through includes not only juices and smoothies, but also soups and snacks. Why did you decide to diversify the classic program and what is the highlight of this particular approach?
– Not everyone can tolerate juices alone. Some people have limiting health problems, and others just don’t like this kind of food very much. We are always ready to provide several programs to choose from. In addition, the use of live cuisine, which is minimally processed and contains only vegetable components, only enhances the cleansing effect due to the large amount of fiber they contain. And, of course, in our dishes preserved maximum vitamins and nutrients.

– What should I not do when switching to a detox diet?
– During detox we recommend to refuse from meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. In addition, alcohol is strictly contraindicated. If these rules are neglected, the effect of cleansing programs can be completely lost.

During the three-day course I managed to lose 1.5 kg. At first glance – it is not much and not a little, but if we talk about the program as a whole, the general condition of the body has improved noticeably. It became easier to wake up in the morning.

– How many kilograms per week can I lose without harming my body?
– The figure of weight loss is always individual. It depends on the amount of initial body weight, the amount of excess fluid, the degree of activity and the number of muscle cells, hormonal features. As a rule, the average weight loss per week is within 4-6%.

Grocery Kit for One Day. Every day at 6:30 a.m., a courier came to me and brought me the program for a day. All products are stored for 36 hours.

Top 5 tips from Margarita Koroleva, which will help to enhance the effect of undergoing a detox program.

1. Drink more water. In the absence of problems with the cardiovascular system and kidneys, it is recommended to drink at least two liters of water per day, and most of it should be drunk in the first half of the day, leaving no more than two glasses for the evening.

2. Get enough sleep. Healthy and sufficient sleep allows all the cells of our body to rest, as the activity of most of them at this time is reduced. If sleep is disturbed or chronic lack of sleep, pathological processes occur that can reduce the immune defense of our body, increase nervous tension, increase the risk of heart and vascular disease, as well as slow metabolism, which will further lead to the growth of excess body weight.

3. A proper start. Preparation for detox consists in smoothly reducing the caloric content of the diet and refusal of most harmful products. During the last two or three days before the program you can follow a vegetarian menu. This approach allows you to prepare the digestive system to the change of diet and perfectly tolerate the cleansing program.

4. Successful completion. Exit from detox is similar to the preparation for it. It is necessary to smoothly increase the caloric content of the diet and gradually introduce such products as meat, fish, eggs into the diet. Since all organs of the digestive system during the program were in a state of rest, too strong and sharp load on them can negatively affect them up to the development of inflammatory diseases.

5. Sweet without harming the figure. You can sweeten the dish with available dried fruits such as apricots or prunes, as well as a spoonful of honey or maple syrup.