Cleanse & Detox Diets

Detox and cleansing diets usually restrict your intake to fruit, vegetables and liquids. The purpose of these diets is to cleanse and slightly speed the functioning of the kidneys, lymph system and liver. Before embarking on such a restrictive diet, you should consult your doctor. Some health professionals do not believe that cleanses or detox diets are beneficial.

Master Cleanse

The Master Cleanse diet was developed by Stanley Burroughs. Burroughs wrote a book titled "The Master Cleanse - With Special Needs and Problems." The diet consists of drinking a concoction of water, organic lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, also known as "lemonade." Some people do this for four to five days, while others stay on the diet for as long as two weeks. The cleanse claims to relieve pressure in nerves and arteries and flush waste from the body.

Raw Food Diet

A raw food diet generally consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, nuts, seeds and grains. Some raw food dieters incorporate high quality fish into their diet, but many stick to a strictly vegan diet. The raw food diet encourages the consumption of fresh foods based on the belief that once a fruit or vegetable is cooked, the enzymes it contains are broken down, resulting in a loss of nutritional value.

Clean, Green, and Lean

Walter Crinnion, a naturopathic doctor, wrote the book "Clean, Green, and Lean: Get Rid of the Toxins That Make You Fat." A specialist in environmental medicine, Crinnion explains in his book that the program will assist dieters in losing weight by flushing toxins from the body. Organic foods are encouraged. A two-week meal plan accompanies the book. A large amount of dietary supplements are recommended, including foods such as salmon and organic fruits and vegetables.

Fruit Flush

The Fruit Flush Plan was developed by a clinical nutritionist named Jay Robb, in a 48-page book. This is a three-day plan. The diet starts with an intake of five whey protein shakes consumed throughout the day. A green salad with avocado and lean protein is recommended for dinner on all three nights. Fruit is consumed in lieu of protein drinks on the second and third days of the diet.