Cleanses

[girlracer]

Has anyone heard about this thing called a cleanse? A bunch of people I race with are doing these cleanses. I want to ask exactly what it is but dont want to sound stupid (so I will sound stupid here instead :) ). Does anyone know what they are and if they are beneficial? These guys seem to think so but it sounds like a fad crash diet to me?:

[Zen]

I want to ask exactly what it is but dont want to sound stupid

If I gave a ---- about sounding stupid I'd be Silent Bob.
Which would be more stupid-
a) To not ask and just go do something that turns out to be stupid
or
2) Ask about it while thinking you sound stupid but deciding against it because it sounds stupid?

it sounds like a fad crash diet to me?:
I think you're on to something there.

Then there's always the third option of asking and making the wrong decision which does turn out to be stupid:p

[velogirl]

they are referring to a detox diet or colonic cleanse. if you want lots of information (and graphic photos) google either term.

many athletes detox on a regular basis. I do it about 3 times a year (it's a ritual with me and seasonal changes: winter, spring, and summer). I'm in week two of a detox right now. I personally find the process uplifting and renewing but it's definitely not for everyone.

and I wouldn't consider it a fad diet. I also wouldn't suggest trying it without the guidance of either a doctor or a nutritionist.

there are lots of reasons to detox, but the primary one (in my opinion) is to improve liver function and remove the toxins from your body.

[Zen]

Do your own research, consider the sources of the information presented and Google is your friend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detoxification
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/detox.html

[KnottedYet]

A cleanse could be very good practice for the prep for a colonoscopy. Doing a few cleanses before you go for the real thing could make the real thing a snap!

[kdskaggs]

There are all types of cleanses: juice fasts, water fasts, supplements used for cleansing, colonics, acupuncture and simply cleaning up one's diet can have cleansing benefits.

As has been recommended previously, research and choose what is appropriate for your lifestyle. Anyone with liver/gallbladder problems should steer clear of certain cleanses because they can cause your body to dump too quickly, causing a gallbladder attack. I learned this the hard way, not knowing I had gallbladder problems until after the attack I caused. :(

Kenda

[Zen]

or maybe you didn't have gallbladder problems before then.
A healthy body will detox itself but there's nothing harmful in a two or three day juice/water/whatever regime. It probably does make you feel better even if it's just psychological.

Just steer clear of the three day beer and whiskey diet. This one I definitely know about.

[bmccasland]

Just steer clear of the three day beer and whiskey diet. This one I definitely know about.

Um Zen dear, was this in your misspent and misguided youth? And how is a 3 day drunk hangover? ;)

[7rider]

Um Zen dear, was this in your misspent and misguided youth? And how is a 3 day drunk hangover? ;)

I think this was last weekend!!! :D

[Velobambina]

My mom used to "cleanse" every Friday during Lent. The real-deal hardcore "mick" fasting--only water and coffee. We used to steer clear of her. She seemed to reach for the wooden spoon (paddle) more readily during Fridays in Lent.

Each to his/her own. Fasting/cleansing isn't for me. I won't get my cholesterol or blood tested because I refuse to fast. :o I need to eat regular or I turn into a Strega.

My idea of cleansing my system is eating no junk food for a couple days in a row. Happens only when I have the stomach flu.

[Pedal Wench]

Could anyone who's had success with a cleanse post what they've done, what they drink (just water, lemon juice, broth, whatever) so we'll know which plans might work and which to avoid? I've been looking at the Stanley Burroughs one.

[velogirl]

There's a great book I can recommend called "The Detox Diet." It's a bit misleading since the word "diet" implies weight loss. The book covered all types of detoxes (nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, red meat, sugars, etc). I think before anyone considers a detox, she really needs to think about her goals in doing so. This is not, in and of itself, a quick fix for weight loss.

I do not fast when I detox. I use an OTC supplement product to cleanse (Detox 7, Simple Greens, etc) and then I prescribe to a low glycemic eating plan (no fruits, only low-glycemic veggies, lean meats, no caffeine or alcohol). I usually end up restricting calories just because the foods I'm eating are not very calorie dense. And I drink a ton of water! It's almost impossible to do this when I'm riding long or hard, so there is a definitely a trade-off but I actually think the break a few times a year is good for me.

I started doing this in 2003 while I was working with a coach who really believed in the benefits of detox. If for no other reason than psychological, it makes me feel clean and fresh and healthy. My docs are fine with it as well.

Then again, a 3-day beer diet makes me feel something too!

[OakLeaf]

There were just a few stories in the news recently about how mainstream medicine has recognized the benefits of regular fasting. LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-eat10dec10,1,883044.story?coll=la-headlines-health), AP (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iTr26kBkNMeeENQEDp4uCG2NQKVQD8TEQPQ00).

There are a lot of different ways to cleanse (modified fasting, fasting plus enemas, laxatives, fiber supplements, blood detox supplements, liver supporting supplements, chelation therapy, any combination of the above).

I haven't fasted in ages, but 3-5 day juice fasts always made me feel really good (and I was able to do long rides at an easy pace during fasts).

There's another thing to consider, and that's food allergies. Something like 80% of Americans are allergic and/or sensitive to common foods. So some of the benefit you feel from fasting may really be from avoiding certain foods, not all foods. IMO everyone should try an allergy challenge diet at some point in their adult life (which is almost more of a hassle than fasting, but well worth it if you do identify food allergens).

[Zen]

And how is a 3 day drunk hangover? ;)

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/CAT-christmas-cat-eggnog.jpg

[shootingstar]

Ramadan or Lent, fast for specific religious reasons is perhaps most meaningful of all. :rolleyes:

Or the required 10 hr. fast requested by your doctor, before undergoing blood testing. :o

Otherwise no juice diets. There's no rhyme or reason but occasionally I have just soup broth with veggies for supper..of course already had something more solid for brekkie/lunch.

The body needs some healthy, diverse fibre also, just scale down the fibre not eliminate it.

Geez. I'm sorry ...I need my solid fresh fruit and veggies not just fruit juice and soup, etc.

I'll wait until I'm 95 yrs. old when my food is softened or made liquid when I might have problems swallowing food or drinking fluids properly due to declining fragility.

No family doctor or registered dietician would be support juice diets for "cleansing".

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Personally, I believe that if you eat healthy things, and stay fit, your body is designed to do an admirable job of ridding itself of waste materials and toxins. Isn't that what our bowels, liver, and kidneys, etc, are for? :cool: In my mind, harsh laxative/colonic treatments are no better than douches and vomiting ....unnatural attempts at "purifying" our bodies. Something vaguely disturbing and self punishing about it. Just my opinion.

[velogirl]

unfortunately, unless you eat "raw" you're putting all sorts of chemicals and preservatives and artificial substances into your body with every bite at every meal. just look at the contents of a typical sports bar. how many of those ingredients are not naturally occurring substances? many of us also over-ingest certain vitamins and minerals which simply accumulate in our body.

completely anecdotally and from my own experience, after a cleanse my metabolism seems to behave "normally," I experience less fatigue and stress, I don't bloat or get gassy, I have regular bowel movements, and I can sleep without taking sleeping pills. for me, it works (even if it's only a psychological effect).

[Pedal Wench]

I asked because I do fast once a year for religious purposes, and I always get a low-blood sugar headache, and come close to passing out. However, that fast restricts water too, so it's probably dehydration-related. I feel my metabolism slowing throughout the day, and can't imagine continuing past the 24-hour mark.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

oooh...dehydration is bad for you! :(

[Mr. Bloom]

Personally, I believe that if you eat healthy things, and stay fit, your body is designed to do an admirable job of ridding itself of waste materials and toxins.

I tend to agree with Lisa...but, I openly admit that Silver and I over indulge in Diet Coke. While the reviews are mixed, there's a clear school of thought that these are toxic and mineral depleting... does anyone have any insight on this?



Just steer clear of the three day beer and whiskey diet. This one I definitely know about.
Yeah Zen, we saw your Halloween costume:p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I tend to agree with Lisa...but, I openly admit that Silver and I over indulge in Diet Coke. While the reviews are mixed, there's a clear school of thought that these are toxic and mineral depleting... does anyone have any insight on this?

Mixed reviews?....is there any evidence that drinking lots of Diet Coke is GOOD for you?? :confused::confused:
I must say that the negative findings seem so plain and plentiful to me that insight is not needed. ;) Drink water! Drink natural juices! Drink teas!

[Geonz]

I'm not sure that a few days' 'cleansing' would take out the kinds of toxins eating processed, additive-laden foods for months would deposit.

[TsPoet]

I'm not sure that a few days' 'cleansing' would take out the kinds of toxins eating processed, additive-laden foods for months would deposit.

It won't

(My credentials: BA - Molecular Biology. MS -Toxicology. PhD- Pharmacology/Toxicology. I specialize in physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling and metabolism, primarily of industrial chemicals and pesticides.)
((While I'm clearly overeducated, I'd like to point out that it is not piled higher and deaper, as my first degree is a BA, not a BS :p ))

[SadieKate]

unfortunately, unless you eat "raw" you're putting all sorts of chemicals and preservatives and artificial substances into your body with every bite at every meal. just look at the contents of a typical sports bar. how many of those ingredients are not naturally occurring substances? many of us also over-ingest certain vitamins and minerals which simply accumulate in our body.

completely anecdotally and from my own experience, after a cleanse my metabolism seems to behave "normally," I experience less fatigue and stress, I don't bloat or get gassy, I have regular bowel movements, and I can sleep without taking sleeping pills. for me, it works (even if it's only a psychological effect).Um, you don't have to eat "raw" to not ingest preservatives, etc.. You just need to stay away from processed foods with additives by reading the label and buying organic as much as possible. Even a Nectar Bar (http://www.clifbar.com/eat/eat.cfm?location=nectar&id=316)would be safe.

It is incredibly hard to absorb all the nutrients in foods by not cooking some of them. My system perks along fine if I just eat plenty of high fiber fresh fruits and veggies, cooked when necessary for palatability, and an overall low fat menu.

[kelownagirl]

I found that I was able to feel many of the positive 'effects' of a cleanse by cutting out most of the processed foods, and eating more veg and fruit and whole grains and water. Personally, and in my fairly uneducated opinion, I think the biggest 'toxic' issue is the toxic effects of constipation. If you do a cleanse, or if you change to a more fresh-food-based, higher fibre diet, you get things moving and feel better over all.

[OakLeaf]

From an evolutionary standpoint (addressing what our kidneys and liver are "for"), our hominid ancestors didn't evolve to eat every single day. That just wasn't an option, and still isn't for wild things. Traditions of fasting arose in primitive religions long before we started eating highly processed foods.

Even if you eat reasonably clean, you're still inhaling toxins, ingesting them in your water (via additives, pollutants, naturally occurring contaminants and leaching from containers), and absorbing them through your skin. Reducing the load on your kidneys and liver for a day, or a few days, on a regular basis, might not be enough to eliminate everything that's built up in your body, but it's got to help.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I found that I was able to feel many of the positive 'effects' of a cleanse by cutting out most of the processed foods, and eating more veg and fruit and whole grains and water. Personally, and in my fairly uneducated opinion, I think the biggest 'toxic' issue is the toxic effects of constipation. If you do a cleanse, or if you change to a more fresh-food-based, higher fibre diet, you get things moving and feel better over all.

I strongly agree with this. People don't get nearly enough natural fiber in general, and fiber I think is the greatest natural health "cleanser" of all. :cool:


Even if you eat reasonably clean, you're still inhaling toxins, ingesting them in your water (via additives, pollutants, naturally occurring contaminants and leaching from containers), and absorbing them through your skin. Reducing the load on your kidneys and liver for a day, or a few days, on a regular basis, might not be enough to eliminate everything that's built up in your body, but it's got to help.

The only way we won't ingest toxins is by being dead. Even cavemen ingested toxins- smoke, volcanic ash and fumes, sulpher, rotting meat or rotting fruit, heavy metals, insect borne diseases and parasites, poison fungi and other toxic plants, contaminated water and bacteria....
My own opinion: The toxins that are easily eliminated enough to get eliminated during 3 days of fasting would probably be eliminated anyway during those 3 days whether we ate or not. Nastier stuff like lead, dioxins, DDT, or mercury is not going to budge even if we starve ourselves to death.
I'm not saying it's bad to just drink juice or tea for a day- most of us ingest way too much fat and calories anyway, and a day long juice or water fast would likely make anyone feel better! I just don't believe it accelerates the natural toxin elimination functions our healthy bodies have already.

[Tuckervill]

I tend to agree with Lisa...but, I openly admit that Silver and I over indulge in Diet Coke. While the reviews are mixed, there's a clear school of thought that these are toxic and mineral depleting... does anyone have any insight on this?


I was a serious Diet Coke addict, for about 20 years. First thing down the hatch every morning, and several or many throughout the day. Bought it in cans by the case. I drank so much DC (no coffee, no tea) that I had heart palpitations from the caffeine. There's not that much caffeine in Diet Coke, so that tells you something.

I slowly replaced it with water and unsweetened iced tea (and hot black tea in the morning with sugar--a girl's gotta have one vice). It took me a year to cut Diet Coke out completely. I haven't had a whole one in several years. Occasionally I'm in a situation where there's nothing else to drink, and I start one, but I can't finish it. AND, my joints always, always hurt after I've had about half of one, starting specifically with my elbows and knees. I don't remember that symptom from when I was a heavy DC drinker, but it is definitely related to the Diet Coke.

I don't know why and it's anecdotal, but because of that I will never advocate for or discount the possible effects of Diet Coke ever again. I don't miss it at all--I get by just fine on the caffeine in a cup of hot tea, and water and iced tea are lovely for everything else!

Karen

[shootingstar]

Personally, I believe that if you eat healthy things, and stay fit, your body is designed to do an admirable job of ridding itself of waste materials and toxins. Isn't that what our bowels, liver, and kidneys, etc, are for? :cool: In my mind, harsh laxative/colonic treatments are no better than douches and vomiting ....unnatural attempts at "purifying" our bodies. Something vaguely disturbing and self punishing about it. Just my opinion.


I find that if I have not exercised at all for a few consecutive days, most definitely my bowel movement is not regular.

I can't claim I'm totally processed-food free but no we don't buy tv/frozen dinners at all. Maybe onc/twice e a month I buy something from a deli or Chinese preprepared dinners (ie. barbecued pork, steamed dim sum, etc.) I guess buying frozen phyllo dough..is processed...for us to make our mushroom/escargots strudels. :D

And I've never enjoyed carbonated soft drinks....at all. My mother actually rationed our soft drink intake. AMong 6 cans, she divided 1 can per 2 kids. Poverty in family was a fantastic excuse (and real) for my parents to limit junk food purchases for home.

No, I don't use laxatives. I just try to have more fruit, tea and get back into exercise, not to be constipated.

Actually alot of CHinese food dishes just taste crappy / flat precooked and frozen for a few days because I do stir-fry or steam many of my savoury dishes.

[Mr. Bloom]

It took me a year to cut Diet Coke out completely. I haven't had a whole one in several years. Occasionally I'm in a situation where there's nothing else to drink, and I start one, but I can't finish it. AND, my joints always, always hurt after I've had about half of one, starting specifically with my elbows and knees. I don't remember that symptom from when I was a heavy DC drinker, but it is definitely related to the Diet Coke.


Silver are you reading this? (She's been in denial...I'm convinced her bone density issues are related to Diet Coke...)

Karen, I'm like you were...there's no caffeine like cold caffeine - morning, noon, and night...probably 8/day. Unfortunately, I detest coffee and am allergic to tea. Diet Coke replaced an 8 Real Cokes/day habit (that's right - 960 calories of high fructose corn syrup each day for years)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Silver are you reading this? (She's been in denial...I'm convinced her bone density issues are related to Diet Coke...)

Karen, I'm like you were...there's no caffeine like cold caffeine - morning, noon, and night...probably 8/day. Unfortunately, I detest coffee and am allergic to tea. Diet Coke replaced an 8 Real Cokes/day habit (that's right - 960 calories of high fructose corn syrup each day for years)

Mr. Silver,
I don't want to sound like I'm lecturing, but if you and Silver are each drinking 8 cans of Diet Coke a day then you are certainly at risk of depleting nutrients and also increasing bone loss rate- for BOTH of you. Not to mention all the nasty chemicals as opposed to healthy beverages or just water. Do a bit of google research about aspartame/Nutrasweet, for one thing. Things to think about, for sure.
The other factor for bone loss is to make sure you are getting some weight bearing exercise- biking does not prevent bone loss, neither does swimming. Running, brisk walking, weight lifting, aerobics, jump rope, stair climbing....does. Google the latest news articles about how many men Pro cyclists are experiencing bad bone density losses due to not getting any weight bearing exercise. It's an eye opener.

A couple of possible alternatives....try some carbonated water flavored with natural flavors....they have some very tasty ones out now, like natural peach or white grape essence seltzers. These are almost no calories but have little or none of the bad things in them. Another thing is to mix seltzer with a little bit of fruit juice to make a healthy low calorie spritzer to guzzle.
You say you are allergic to tea- I assume you mean regular black tea. Well that still leaves a whole world of other interesting "teas" to try out- health/herb teas, mint, chai, perhaps green teas, fruit or flower teas, spice teas, many dozens of different flavored "teas" that are not black tea at all. You can't be allergic to all those- that would be like saying you're allergic to "plants". Experiment and find some healthy tisane that appeals to you, and starts drinking it, either hot, or iced by the half gallon pitcher. Perhaps buy a variety box of herbal teas to try. They have some wonderful gourmet variety boxes of themn at health food stores. Don't expect or seek to find anything that tastes like Diet Coke. You'd have to think new, different.
And remember that one must cut down on caffeine gradually or else get major painful headaches.
...Just some stuff to consider if you ever want to get away from the Diet Coke....
:)

[IFjane]

Silvers - I agree with Lisa here. I was a diet coke drinker for years - but not to the extent you are/were. I also drank coffee in the morning, then usually only one diet coke in the afternoon. Even that had a negative effect on me, though.

I do like carbonation so I switched to seltzer - even plain is good as far as I'm concerned. Also drink green tea - make my own iced and hot. It's wonderful - give it a try and good luck!

[Tuckervill]

When I'm in a situation where I could (have to) choose Diet Coke or a "real" soft drink, I usually choose the real one now. I began eliminating HFCS from my diet about a year ago, but I figure it's better than chemicals in a can. I really savor Jones Sodas and Coke bottled in Mexico when I get one (about once every 6 months). I just don't have the calorie budget for sodas so I don't drink them.

I stopped drinking iced tea at restaurants recently because I'm such a cheapskate--it went up to like $2.50, and water is free.

One reason I started giving up DC years ago is an article I read about someone who was testing out the Atkins diet. She said how she wasn't concerned about not being able to eliminate carbs, but how pathetic is it that she felt she couldn't give up Diet Coke? I didn't want to be pathetic. lol.

Karen

[Tuckervill]

You say you are allergic to tea- I assume you mean regular black tea. Well that still leaves a whole world of other interesting "teas" to try out- health/herb teas, mint, chai, perhaps green teas, fruit or flower teas, spice teas, many dozens of different flavored "teas" that are not black tea at all. You can't be allergic to all those- that would be like saying you're allergic to "plants". Experiment and find some healthy tisane that appeals to you, and starts drinking it, either hot, or iced by the half gallon pitcher. Perhaps buy a variety box of herbal teas to try. They have some wonderful gourmet variety boxes of themn at health food stores. Don't expect or seek to find anything that tastes like Diet Coke. You'd have to think new, different.
And remember that one must cut down on caffeine gradually or else get major painful headaches.
...Just some stuff to consider if you ever want to get away from the Diet Coke....
:)

Most herbal teas don't have caffeine, so that would make them a no go for me.

Also for me, if a change isn't convenient and simple to do, I just won't do it. The alternative has to have no baggage or inconvenience associated with it. I started replacing DC with iced tea by ordering it with my fast food meals (now I don't eat fast food meals anymore, either). Then I started buying cases of bottled water instead of cases of Diet Coke (now I use a Brita pitcher instead of bottles). I can't go all or nothing--it has to go in increments.

Silvers, next time you're replenishing DC, buy water instead. Or one of the many options that Lisa mentioned. Go for "integrity at the point of decision'

Karen

Karen

[ChickWithBrains]

Most people do "cleansing" because it sounds great! Wow, a way to "take a load" off kidneys or liver (our natural processors and filters), a way to "clean out" our colons, or a way to mark a change in our attitude, religious calendar, or life.

Guess what? Your kidneys work just as hard no matter what you eat. Your kidneys still filter the same amount of blood per minute and the solutes they remove for urine isn't metabolically different. Your liver is still processing fats -- ingested and already present -- into smaller and different macromolecules. Everything your gut absorbs gets dumped into the hepatic system for first pass metabolism, whether it's organic unpasteurized wonder fruit green algae superdrink or your usual lunch sandwich, and it takes the same amount of energy.

People say they feel different or better after cleansing. People feel better after a period of dedicated prayer, new athletic achievements, and an awful lot of different things. And sure you'll feel less constipated if you ingest a lot more fiber and fluids for a few days -- cleansing-style or not.

You're a cleansing machine EACH AND EVERY DAY. You don't need anything special to waste your money and time on, but if you truly feel better and it is not destructive, go ahead. (I would warn against "high colonic" anal irrigations, however, for a variety of medical reasons.) But re-evaluate WHY you want to do it and whether it is solely accomplished by doing a crazy diet alteration for a few days, and why you can't make sensible sustainable diet changes instead.

[Mr. Bloom]

Mr. Silver,
I don't want to sound like I'm lecturing, but if you and Silver are each drinking 8 cans of Diet Coke a day then you are certainly at risk of depleting nutrients and also increasing bone loss rate- for BOTH of you. :)

The problem is "I KNOW you're right!" and I still do it!

Here's a promise to you:


For one week I will limit myself to 2/day and I'll drink plenty of water instead!

In one week, I'll reevaluate:(

Silver, you in????

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you do that you might want to temporarily take some caffeine pills or other caffeine to ease the abrupt drop off a bit- going from 8 cans to 2 is likely to give you some caffeine withdrawal headaches- and those can be splitting (i know).
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[crazycanuck]

8 cans of diet coke a day :eek:

I hate to be rude, but isn't that why the US has one of the most obese populations in the world?

Frightening..

[SadieKate]

Um, diet coke doesn't contain sugar or calories. That's why it's diet.:p

Though I think I've read somewhere that the chemicals in diet drinks exacerbate the feeling of hunger. I think . . . .where did I read that?:confused:

[KnottedYet]

The studies that tie diet soda with obesity are pretty wild. Some folks say the nutrasweet/aspartame is an appetite stimulant. That's a bummer.

There's also the behavioural aspect, like one study that had folks who ordered giant diet sodas also ordering giant burgers and fries (thinking it was ok, cuz after all they are cutting out calories from the soda, so some extra fries can't hurt, right?)

Artificial sweetners make me and SKnot very sick, and Nutrasweet in particular causes my mom to get ill. She's a diabetic and has a lot of trouble with dry mouth, so now she sips plain tea all day.

[crazycanuck]

doesn't diet coke contain aspertaine/aspertane (sp)...I thought diet coke was bad for you..:confused:

[SadieKate]

CC, yes, diet coke does have nasty things in it but sugar isn't one of them.

Nutrasweet/Aspartame is possibly linked to MS-like symptoms. Another one of those wild controversial reports where you don't know who to believe.

[KnottedYet]

Nutrasweet/Aspartame is possibly linked to MS-like symptoms. Another one of those wild controversial reports where you don't know who to believe.

Yup, that's what the docs thought was going on with my mom, until she went to a diabetes specialist who asked the all important question: how much diet soda do you drink?

[Trek420]

There's also the behavioural aspect, like one study that had folks who ordered giant diet sodas also ordering giant burgers and fries (thinking it was ok, cuz after all they are cutting out calories from the soda, so some extra fries can't hurt, right?)

I can attest to that. Back in the day I was a cook (that was waaaaay back) the number of orders of "I'll have the quiche, cheesecake, side order of onion rings, giant fudge and brownie sundae ... oh, and a diet coke" :rolleyes:

I just look at the ingredients and "oh, that can't be good for me" :rolleyes:

[shootingstar]

Well, I can't I'm pure even though I dislike soft drinks of any sort...am a coffee (at work because it's free) and tea(because it's cheaper) drinker at home.

Back to the cleansing and constipation bit...always good to have a balanced diet of healthy fibre and liquid from the food groups, fat-free, sugar-free.

If I haven't had veggies or whole fruit for a few days, I feel quite "off".

And there is a rule of thumb...to eat approx. feeling 80% full. Unfortunately, many of us, including myself broke that rule for past few weeks.

The human body is an incredible complex machine. It's incredible there are multiple different processes go on inside us right now --for thinking, feeling, breathing, food processing,.... and alot of those microprocesses work on a particular internal clocks/frequencies that we can't begin to replicate all of these processes in an artificial body.

Mindboggling.

[SadieKate]

Back to the cleansing and constipation bit...always good to have a balanced diet of healthy fibre and liquid from the food groups, fat-free, sugar-free.You have to have some fat in your diet. The body won't without it, particularly the brain. Maybe that's my problem . . . . . . . .

[kelownagirl]

I order diet coke because I prefer the taste. I find sugar coke way too sweet - almost syrupy.

[snapdragen]

You you get real sugar in your Coke, or the fructose syrup like we get in the US?

[Trek420]

Coke with real sugar, not the corn syrup stuff

http://drinkbluesky.com

[kelownagirl]

I have no idea. I just call it sugar coke because it tastes like sugar. I think it's probably syrup. I think I have a bottle here, I'll go look...

...it say sugar/glucose/fructose on the bottle

[KnottedYet]

oooh, you have the good stuff!

i love real sugar cola. i get "blue sky " and "jones" brands here. our Coke and most other big brands are hfc.

[nomummytummy]

Silver are you reading this? (She's been in denial...I'm convinced her bone density issues are related

http://enews.tufts.edu/stories/092503Tucker.htm

just google bone density & sodas to see way more info. www.mercola.com has lots of good info too

[Tuckervill]

The problem is "I KNOW you're right!" and I still do it!

Here's a promise to you:


For one week I will limit myself to 2/day and I'll drink plenty of water instead!

In one week, I'll reevaluate:(

Silver, you in????

It's much much better to change your thinking than to change your drinking. (Ha! I rhymed.) :p

So instead of saying only 2 a day, how about "The next time I get something to drink, it will be water or iced tea."

Make that decision several times in a row, or make it every other time you get a drink. Changes made in increments are easier to chew. I find if I give myself "unlimited" of something instead of limiting the thing I want to avoid, I have less emotional baggage attached to giving up the thing. Plus the laws of physics are working in your favor--water and Diet Coke can't occupy the same space at the same time. If you fill up that space with water, there is no room for the Diet Coke.

Both ways of thinking about it can result in the same outcome, of course, but flipping it around to "unlimited x" from "limited y" is much more comforting. :D

(If you're concerned about the caffeine--I don't remember any adverse affects of limiting caffeine, and it's not dangerous to go cold-turkey off caffeine. You're a grown man, you can take it. Just try to do it when you're not at work so you can suffer through any symptoms in relative comfort.)

Good luck!
Karen

[Mr. Bloom]

(If you're concerned about the caffeine--I don't remember any adverse affects of limiting caffeine, and it's not dangerous to go cold-turkey off caffeine. You're a grown man, you can take it. Just try to do it when you're not at work so you can suffer through any symptoms in relative comfort.)

Good luck!
Karen

Oh, there are adverse effects...they're not dangerous, but they're deadly nonetheless.

Day 1: One for breakfast, one for lunch - no migraine and I'll probably sleep great tonight! I've filled the fridge with bottled water for tomorrow, but I'll still probably have two more DC's...I have a lot of work to do and can't get the killer headache!

[crazycanuck]

Water is your friend..;) Drink at least 2L a day.

Why not try cold Oolong tea? mmmmm :D There's no sugar in it at all!!!

[OakLeaf]

Day 1: One for breakfast, one for lunch - no migraine and I'll probably sleep great tonight!

Congratulations... just don't get discouraged if you didn't "sleep great." Insomnia is one of the major symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.

Interestingly, I went through killer caffeine withdrawal several times when I was young (off a 2-3 cup a day habit, it doesn't have to be a lot), but later on (and pre-menopause) I've quit coffee with no symptoms at all. I don't even touch the stuff now, because I've seen how addiction creeps back up on me.

I do drink green tea and the occasional decaf, so I'm not caffeine-free, but much less than coffee or pop. I didn't notice any of the touted benefits of quitting coffee (less inflammation, weight loss), but I do sleep much better and my body is noticeably cleaner.

[Tuckervill]

Oh, there are adverse effects...they're not dangerous, but they're deadly nonetheless.

Day 1: One for breakfast, one for lunch - no migraine and I'll probably sleep great tonight! I've filled the fridge with bottled water for tomorrow, but I'll still probably have two more DC's...I have a lot of work to do and can't get the killer headache!

One day of a series of better decisions down, hundreds more to go. :)

Good on ya!
Karen

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I didn't notice any of the touted benefits of quitting coffee (less inflammation, weight loss), but I do sleep much better and my body is noticeably cleaner.

Why, were you spilling coffee on yourself a lot? ;):D

[OakLeaf]

Why, were you spilling coffee on yourself a lot? ;):D

LOL :D

No, really, less B.O., much less tongue coating, general feeling of being less toxic. No other changes in my diet or health practices, just giving up coffee.

[snapdragen]

You have to have some fat in your diet. The body won't without it, particularly the brain.

Cripes, I should be Einstein by now..............:rolleyes::eek::o

[Mr. Bloom]

Insomnia is one of the major symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.


Insomnia with a vengenence last night! Fully awake at 3AM. Went to health club for 90 minutes...caught up on work...Silver slept until 10:30 (despite all her caffeine) - just not fair:eek:;)

I want my vice back:rolleyes:;)

[snapdragen]

I used to go to an "Adventure Spa" that was vegetarian and caffeine free. They'd recommend you detox for a week before arriving, to avoid the withdrawals. I didn't one year, and was worried my trip would be horrible. The first day we hiked up to Kokanee Glacier - by the time I got up there, I had sweated out whatever caffeine toxins I had. No headache at all! Keep up the exercise Mr Silver!