Look in any local bookshop and we bet you’ll find loads of ‘quick fix’ diet books offering to cleanse your system and help you lose weight in no time at all.
Detox is the big buzzword in the diet world and the claims it lays are enticing to say the least. Who doesn’t want to have healthier insides and feel perkier than Kylie Minogue?

The idea behind detoxing is to cleanse your body by getting rid of toxins and waste that has built up in your system. It’s suggested you do this by only eating fresh, unprocessed and refined foods, which are not only healthy but can also help speed up the digestive process.

Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that detox diets work, millions of people still do them. And it’s hardly surprising, because they promise to:

• give you more energy
• strengthen your immune system
• help you lose weight
• reduce cellulite
• clean out your digestive system

While it’s possible that detoxing will increase energy levels, bolster your immune system and help you lose weight in the short term, the other two claims are doubtful. For example, it takes bulky, fibre-rich foods to clean out your digestive tract. But most of these diets are fruit- and veg-based, and are not particularly high-fibre.

The reason detox diets work short-term is that people make a special effort to change their eating habits. And because they’re rich in fresh fruit and veg, these diets provide an excellent source of antioxidants and fill your body with healthy, nutritious foods. It also stands to reason that if you’re not eating chemically enhanced foods such as ready-made, processed meals that slow your body down as it tries to digest them, you’ll have lots more energy.

The problem with many detox diets is that they’re tough to follow, they’re expensive and, when you resort back to your old ways, you gain weight and your energy levels plummet again. Apart from anything else, it’s practically impossible to sustain such a limited diet for a long period of time and that’s why detox diets aren’t the answer to long-term weight loss.

A week-long detox programme based on fruit, vegetables and pulses won’t do you any harm, but if you improve your eating habits on a day-to-day basis, you’ll be sure to get the benefit of nutritional food all the time. Follow these general rules for healthy eating:

1. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The more variety, the healthier you’ll be. Fruit and vegetable juices count, as do dried, canned and frozen variations. Different fruits contain various levels of antioxidant nutrients so eat as many types of fruit and veg as you can each day.
2. Swap normal for wholegrain. Eat wholemeal bread and pasta, brown rice, potatoes and yams (with the skins) and wholegrain breakfast cereals as often as possible. These foods contain insoluble fibre that keeps your gut healthy by moving food through your system quickly and efficiently.
3. Drink plenty of fluids. Aim for at least eight pints of fluid a day, more if the weather is hot. Jazz up ordinary tap water by adding a slice of lemon or add a drop of rose or orange flower essence to give it a hint of flavour.

Try this sample detox menu to kick off your new healthy eating plan:

Breakfast
1 glass of unsweetened fruit juice or a smoothie. Check out this delicious recipe for an after-workout smoothie which tastes just as great first thing in the morning.
A bowl of muesli and skimmed milk with a handful of dried fruits, such as apricots and bananas, sprinkled on top
A cup of herbal tea

Lunch
Celery, apple and walnut salad made with low fat Greek yoghurt
2 slices of rye bread
1 glass of ice cold water with a slice of lemon
A handful of grapes or cherries

Dinner
Ratatouille made with green peppers, canned tomatoes, aubergines, onions, courgettes (or any other seasonal vegetables)
1 large jacket potato
Fruit crumble made with peaches or other seasonal fruits and wholemeal flour served with fromage frais or custard made with skimmed milk
1 glass of red wine

Snacks and drinks
1 large glass of fruit juice
1 orange or clementine
A packet of dried fruits like raisins or prunes
Rice cakes
Water