How to detox your body from processed foods?

Detox diets have gained popularity, as this type of short-term eating plan can eliminate toxins from the body through fasting and a strict diet of fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, and water, for example.Interviewed by the editor-in-chief of kiwilimón, Shadia Asencio, the trophology expert Israel Chirino indicates that ideally, one should practice a detox three times a year, but if that's not possible, at least once.Detox therapies are recommended more frequently due to possible exposure to toxic chemicals, whether in the environment or in the diet, for example, with processed foods, which may include contaminants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and other harmful compounds.Processed foods are any food that has been canned, cooked, frozen, pasteurized, or packaged. While many of these processed foods can be part of a healthy diet, some highly processed ones are loaded with salt, sugar, additives, and preservatives that can harm health.With this in mind, reducing the consumption of these highly processed foods and thus detoxifying the body from them can be an effective way to improve not only health but also the quality of your diet. You can start gradually with our detox challenge, for example, but below we also provide some other ways to eliminate them.Make homemade versionsPreparing your favorite processed foods at home gives you total control over what you put on your plate, plus it allows you to experiment with new ingredients. For example, you can make vegetable chips, popcorn, granola bars, pasta sauce, and even your own mayonnaise or cream cheese.Drink more waterSugary drinks like sodas, sweet tea, fruit juices, and sports drinks have high sugar and calorie content but low essential nutrients. If you are used to drinking them constantly, gradually switching these beverages for water throughout the day will be a great way to reduce processed foods and improve the overall quality of your diet.You can try sparkling water or flavored with fruits or herbs if plain water is not your favorite drink. Make simple changes to your mealsThere are many healthy swaps you can make to stop eating processed products. For example:Swap sugary cereal for a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit.Make your own popcorn on the stove instead of microwaving it.Prepare homemade vinaigrettes with olive oil and vinegar for salads instead of using processed dressings.Make a mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits as a healthy alternative to store-bought varieties.Start with small changes or try our 10-day challenge and see the benefits that a detox from processed foods can have for you and your body's health.