The Vegan Consultant

Many people just learning about raw foods are completely turned off by one little word: detox.

They’ve read all the awesome testimonials from raw foodists, they’ve scoured for all the latest raw food research, and they know all about raw’s physical and mental benefits.

Then they also learn about this crazy detox process that lasts for years and makes your feet fall off and your eyeballs grow whiskers!

The decision to stay cooked and keep their feet and eyeballs whisker-free becomes a pretty easy one.

So what is this “dreaded diet detox” everyone is so consumed with?

What is Detox?

I like to think of detoxification in two different ways:

1.    Traditional Detox 2.    Withdrawal Detox

Traditional Detoxification, or “detox,” is simply the body’s method of neutralizing or removing toxic substances (those created naturally via our normal bodily functions or those consumed, inhaled, or absorbed by us on a constant basis).

This is done primarily by way of the liver, kidneys, and – if the first two organs are overloaded – the skin.  You’ll know your body is working overtime when you achieve that “awe-inspiring” armpit aroma after a sweaty workout!

So in this sense, detox is an on-going process.  Your body is constantly detoxifying every single moment of your life.

Withdrawal Detox, on the other hand, refers to the symptoms you experience when you reduce the level of toxins in the body.  This could come from adopting a healthier diet, beginning an exercise routine, or removing a known air pollutant.

The reason you feel cruddy when you give up your favorite cooked eatables in favor of simpler, whole ingredients is because you have reduced the toxic level in your body.

Your organs have become used to a certain level of toxicity and once that level is reduced, they finally have a chance to do their job and release the waste that has built up in your fatty tissues as quickly as possible…which means temporary yucky, but necessary side effects for you.

And the more toxic substance you eliminate, the harsher the effects will be.

Oh, what fun!

This is actually no different than the uncomfortable – and often painful – symptoms a drug or alcohol abuser experiences when going “cold turkey.”

Fortunately for us, the length and symptoms  of detox from cooked foods are typically much shorter and much less severe.

How Long Should Detox Last?

Well…until you’re dead!

Oh, you meant detox in the withdrawal sense…my bad.

Contrary to what many mainstream raw foodists will have you believe, withdrawal detox should not last years and years, months and months, or even weeks and weeks.

Withdrawal from cooked foods will typically only last a few weeks *at most*.  The norm is closer to just a few days.

In fact, if you *do* experience negative symptoms for weeks and weeks without any improvement, it’s safe to say that either:

a) you are not doing it right (i.e. not enough calories, improperly ripened fruits, improper food combining) OR b) the diet is NOT working and you should try something new!

And remember, diet isn’t everything!

If you are following a healthy raw food diet absolutely perfectly and yet you are still experiencing negative health effects, your diet is probably not the issue and you should certainly look into other health issues (i.e. exercise, fresh, air, clean water, sunshine, etc.)

You are only as healthy as your weakest link.

What Should I Expect During Detox?

While there are cases of more severe symptoms – usually experienced by people with some form of chronic disease – detox is typically very mild.

Here are the usual suspects:

These will typically last for a few days to a week.  The worse off your health is before making the transition, the more symptoms you will likely experience and the longer they will last.

For instance, if you regularly drink coffee or alcohol and decide to give them up, you can definitely expect some headaches and jitters for the first few days.

As I said, some people do experience more severe and long-lasting cases, such as hair loss, faintness, or acne, but this should not be expected in most cases.

Why All the Big Fuss About Detoxification?

My personal theory?

Raw foodists are big drama queens.

In all seriousness, going raw is not all lollipops and fairy floss.  This is especially true in the beginning when you are doing your best to figure out how to maintain such a “kooky” diet in the modern world, while at the same time battling low energy and digestive troubles.

It’s no fun, but it could certainly be worse. Just look at drug addicts who go cold turkey.

We’re talkin’ days and days (sometimes weeks, depending upon the drug of choice) of seriously scary symptoms like tremors, sweats, chills, depression, paranoia, and even seizures…and that’s WITH medical care!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met anyone needing hospital attention from a few healthy raw, fruit-filled meals.

So stop being a drama queen, go raw, be fit and embrace your detox!  That slight headache and minor mucus expulsion is just your body’s way of  thanking you for finally allowing it to get rid of all the nasty gunk and be the best body it can be.

Plus, it has got to “repay” you for all the toxic overload somehow, right?