Natural Colon Cleanse Diet

Colon cleansing is a practice that has been followed since ancient times. In those days, it referred to the practice of cleaning the colon, or the large intestine, by means of natural herbs and foods. Now, there are several supplements and products, along with medical procedures that are utilized for this purpose. The purpose of colon cleansing is to remove the buildup of undigested foods in the colon, that may produce toxins that are harmful for the body in the long run. A lot of people believe that colon cleansing also helps in weight loss. While this belief is yet to be proven, following a natural colon cleanse diet every once in a while may be beneficial. The emphasis on 'natural' here is because you don't always need manufactured and processed products or any medical procedure to clean out your system and address other health concerns. The remedy for almost every health concern is available in nature, and by tapping these resources you can create a homemade colon cleanse, and give yourself the gift of good health.

Foods Consumed on a Natural Colon Cleanse Diet
Following a colon cleanse diet at home can be done by means of consuming some foods and herbs, and avoiding some others. These foods and herbs are known to detoxify the body, that manifest themselves in the form of a beautiful skin glow, a general readiness to deal with every day, and a positive outlook because of a healthy body. As such, this natural detox diet will help you achieve all these aspects which is why it is recommended by many health experts. Natural foods also provide more benefits than just cleansing the colon, and are therefore much healthier options for a colon cleanse. Here, we take a look at the foods that will help you clear out your system of all that you believe is plaguing it, along with some important tips to follow while performing a natural colon cleanse.

Fruits and Vegetables
The most important detail regarding fruits and vegetables is that they should be eaten as raw foods. Not only do they preserve the nutrients essential for your body, they also provide large amounts of fiber, that are known to improve bowel movements and clear the system of unhealthy toxins. If you think eating just raw vegetables isn't satisfactory, you may eat them steamed. However, avoid cooking them at any cost. Peas, cabbage, beet, carrots, cauliflower, apples with skin, citrus fruits, strawberries, prunes, blueberries, turnips and brussels sprouts should be included in your diet. Moreover, foods that are green in color are known to have a great effect on colon cleansing. Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, along with other foods such as alfalfa, wheatgrass, and spirulina are great for the system. Since they are rich in chlorophyll, they help in absorbing larger amounts of oxygen, a well-known natural body cleanser.

Beans, Nuts and Seeds
Other healthy foods that are rich in fiber are whole grains, nuts and seeds. Wheat bran, oat bran, and whole grain cereals are essential to keep the colon clear and functioning well. Consuming ground flax seeds daily also provides the necessary amount of fiber required by your body. Eat nuts in small amounts, and avoid peanuts. Sunflower seeds are a good option. Green beans and other types of beans are extremely essential for your diet. Include barley, rye, wheat and brown rice in this diet too.

Proteins
Proteins are an essential part of a natural colon cleanse diet, and can be attained by means of eating raw eggs. Now this may sound absolutely disgusting and unimaginable, but the truth is that it is extremely healthy when it comes to a colon cleanse. Start by introducing small amounts such as one teaspoon daily, and slowly increase the amount you include in your diet. Preparing a salad with a raw egg dressing is a good way of including it in your diet, or simply mix it with a glass of milk to create a rich protein shake.

Yogurt provides healthy bacteria to the colon, which is why it should be a part of your diet. If you are concerned about your weight, consume low-fat yogurt but ensure that it is a part of your diet. Frozen and other flavored yogurts are not permitted here. Other fermented foods that are essential include kefir and fermented sauerkraut.

Organic meat may be included for the necessary amount of protein, but again, avoid red meat. Eat cuts of lean white meat such as fish and chicken, and only steamed or grilled. Digesting meat is a little difficult for the system. Some people take to eating raw meat, but if you are not used to it, avoid plunging into the raw food diet suddenly.

Oils
Oils need not be completely eliminated from your diet, but the oils that you can consume include healthy oils such as olive oil, wheat germ oil, cod liver oil, and other fish oil supplements. These provide the necessary vitamins to the body that you may miss when performing your own version of a colon cleanse.

Herbs
Herbal colon cleansers such as psyllium husk, flax seeds, aloe leaf, cascara sagrada, cayenne pepper, senna and ginger are all known to be very effective in eliminating toxins from the colon and promoting healthy living. Fennel and garlic are also important inclusions in this diet. Herbal tea such as green tea is an important drink to consume when you are following this diet as it has numerous digestive properties.

Tips for an Effective Natural Colon Cleanse Diet
For your diet to be effective and for overall healthy living, you must keep in mind some important tips enlisted here.

1. Liquids purify your body like no food or herbal supplement. Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water, along with fresh, unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, and herbal tea. Make liquids an inevitable part of your diet.
2. Steer clear of foods rich in refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, and white rice. Switch to multi-grain bread, whole-grain pasta and brown rice. Also avoid processed and packaged foods. These are extremely unhealthy as they provide almost no nutrition to the body. Sugary treats that include sweetened coffee and tea are a big no-no. Caffeine should be completely eliminated.
3. Exercise is an extremely important part of any diet, and the same holds true for a natural colon cleanse too. Get some form of exercise daily, even if it is only a 30 minute brisk walk. This will stimulate your body's metabolism and aid the effectiveness of your diet.
4. Follow this diet only as long as you think is necessary. In some cases, you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, nausea and dizziness as a side effect of switching from the heavy foods you usually consume to these natural foods. Thus, the best way is to slowly ease into this diet, by eliminating one food from it at a time over a span of a few days or weeks.
5. Just because the foods mentioned above are natural, it does not mean you can eat how much you like. Eat limited quantities every 2-3 hours. If you eat large amounts of fibrous foods, they again can have negative effects on your body in the form of loose stools and diarrhea.

Experts say that a colon cleanse is not necessary, since it has the capacity to eliminate harmful toxins from the body and rejuvenate itself. However, with a lifestyle that depends only on processed food and fast food along with a lack of activity, clearing out your system every once in a while becomes very essential. At the end of this diet, you are sure to feel rejuvenated, healthy and enriched with a new, positive energy to tackle each day and all that it has to offer. Eat healthy and live a good life.