POST-DIWALI DETOX: A SIMPLE REGIMEN TO REGAIN YOUR HEALTH

Festivities have returned with a bang! After a two-year covid hiatus, everyone enjoyed this year’s festivities, including the biggest festival-Diwali with food, sweets, drinks, vacation, junk food and partying with friends and family. Your body went through a number of changes and may have suffered certain setbacks that may go unnoticed. Do not get worried! This blog will help you understand how to cleanse your body through a simple post-Diwali detox regimen.

What is post-Diwali detox?

Detox is essentially a method adopted by individuals to help clear the toxins accumulated in their bodies over a period of time. These include:

A temporary or intermittent period of fasting

• Having a liquid-only diet

• A combination of liquids and fruits and vegetables

• Infusion drinks or liquids

• Use of laxatives or gut cleansers

• Avoiding foods that are processed

A post-Diwali detox is where you allow your body to heal and replenish after consuming all the sugary and fried foods like ladoos, chakli, chiwda, barfi, sweets, chocolates, etc., and help clear your lungs of all the gases and harmful materials inhaled when crackers are burst around you. Most people are on a vacation during Diwali and therefore are off their daily exercise routine. It is therefore essential to get back your body to proper exercise and diet in the right manner.

Benefits of post-Diwali detox

A simple regimen for post-Diwali detox can include the following methods. To add a word of caution, these methods may be modified as per individual needs and it is not necessary that you follow all the methods. If in doubt, consult a doctor or a nutritionist to understand the risks and benefits of a particular detox method.

• Intermittent fasting:

You can start your detox program with intermittent fasting as per individual capacity. A fasting period of 10-15 hours is safe when you intersperse two fasting periods with a light meal. For example, you can have an early dinner, say by 7 or 8 pm, and then not eat anything until the next morning. You may then have breakfast by 10 or 11 am. You can also undertake fasting for longer periods, provided you have prior experience.

• Liquid-only diet:

This method of detox involves restricting your diet to only fluids and juices or drinks. Fluids require less energy to be digested and give your stomach and intestines the opportunity to rest and at the same time provide the necessary natural nutrients to your body. Examples are fruit juices, lemon water, ajwain water, herb water, etc. You can also drink smoothies made out of your favorite fruits and other ingredients.

• Gentle exercise:

A detox period usually involves less intake of calories and therefore you may feel fatigued and experience muscle weakness. Gentle exercises like yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation help your body cope with calorie shortage and at the same time will help you get started on an exercise routine to regain health. It is vital to understand here that you should keep a balance between fasting periods and exercise sessions. This means that exercise can be performed after you have a meal in between your fasting sessions.

• Limited diet:

After you have begun with a liquid-only diet, you can now progress to a limited diet consisting of liquids and incorporating some fruits and veggies as well. You can eat your favourite fruits and vegetables but make sure to avoid fruits high in sugar. This type of diet can be continued for a few days to a week only as it cannot be continued for a longer period due to limited calories and nutrient availability.

• Associated methods:

Laxatives, gut cleansers, and enemas can be used when indicated for a complete stomach and intestine workup. Avoid foods that may cause gut irritation or cause allergy, ultra-processed foods, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, smoke, and chocolates. These ingredients and foods can be gently introduced back into your diet once the detox is complete.

Takeaway

Diwali is a time of celebration and savouring some sweets and festive foods. It brings joy to close friends and families but is also associated with a lack of exercise, an increase in calorie intake, and weight gain. A post-Diwali detox will help your body get back on track. A simple post-Diwali detox regimen includes intermittent fasting, a liquid-only diet, a limited or combo diet, and some associated methods to go along. It is also advisable to consult a doctor or a nutritionist to weigh the risks and benefits of a detox regimen as per individual needs.

 FAQs

1. Does detoxing help reduce weight?

Detoxing causes a reduction in body fluids and muscle mass but may not contribute toward fat loss. A continual effort after detox that involves a balanced diet and exercise may help you to lose weight.

2. What is the difference between a detox and a cleanse?

A cleanse works selectively on clearing the stomach and intestines whereas a detox is a comprehensive and systematic whole-body approach to clearing the body of toxins.

3. How do I know if I need to detox?

The need for detox arises when your body shows certain signs and symptoms like undue fatigue, puffy eyes, body pain, irregular bowel emptying, frequent urination, headaches, acidity, bloating, constipation, repeated infections, and skin irritation.