Dr Nish Joshi’s Holistic Detox lays out an interesting approach to eating and to living that helps increase energy, lose weight and create a healthier lifestyle. The Detox (laid out in his book – Joshi’s Holistic Detox) focuses not on dieting in the traditional sense, but rather on a lifestyle change. The emphasis is on breaking bad habits and eliminating the chemicals and toxins that have crept into modern foods.
The Principles of the Detox
Born in Tanzania, Joshi grew up in London, but his family originally comes from Northwest India. Joshi uses his own traditional Brahmin Indian vegetarian diet, his training as an osteopath and the “science and wisdom of Ayurvedic medicine” to create a detox plan that focuses on rebalancing the body’s pH by eliminating acids. Working with celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Kate Moss and Ralph Fiennes, Joshi has proved that the Detox gets results.
The 21-Day Detox Program
Throughout the Detox book, Joshi stresses the importance of listening to the body, understanding why it craves certain things and learning to differentiate between bad and good cravings. The initial 21-day plan works to change the palate so that cravings are reduced and the cycle of binging on junk food is stopped. By reducing the intake of acidic foods, the body is able to regain its more natural slightly alkali state. This enables it to eliminate toxins more readily and to break down fat more effectively.
The basics of the Detox food plan are:
- No wheat, gluten or yeast
- No sugar, chocolate or sweets
- No dairy (except plain yoghurt; goat’s milk and soy products are allowed)
- No fruits or fruit juices but bananas
- No artificially produced flavourings like ketchup, vinegar, mustard
- No red meat
- No nightshade vegetables (aubergines, courgettes, mushrooms etc)
- No toxins such as alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, decaf coffee, cigarettes etc
Although this begs the question “what can I eat?” there are a surprising amount of meals that can be made following the Detox and there is no severe limit as to portion size.
What is allowed:
- Fresh leafy green vegetables and salads
- Eggs
- Vegetable juices
- Brown rice, lentils and pulses
- Olive Oil
- Soy products and tofu
- White meats and fish
The book contains various charts and guides in order to monitor cravings, test the body’s current pH levels, calculate the individual’s Ayurvedic Profile and his or her BMI rating. There are also charts of what foods to avoid and what to increase, shopping guides, tasty recipes and a 3-week plan for the Detox. Joshi does stress that the first 48 hours can be the most difficult and this is when symptoms such as nausea, headaches and irritability can occur as the body begins to release toxins trapped in the blood stream.
Does it Work?
The Detox is a challenge, but the book provides a lot of useful information for dealing with cravings and moments of weakness, tips and strategies for eating out, and encouraging stories from people who have completed the detox and made a general lifestyle change.
It is surprisingly easy to make the changes and after the 21 days, the palate definitely changes and cravings are reduced. Sugars taste almost unbearably sweet and it is easier to resist sweet and salty foods and feel fuller throughout the day. Energy levels definitely increase and combined with regular exercise, there is a noticeable change in terms of inches lost.
The follow-up maintenance program gives practical advice on reintroducing certain foods, monitoring the body’s reaction and on sticking to the principles of the detox in general living. What makes the detox easy (despite its restricted nature) are the clear explanations and practical advice that Joshi gives the reader throughout.
For increased energy, weight loss, and an all round “healthier slimmer you – for life”, try Joshi’s Holisitic Detox.
First published in 2005 by Hodder and Stoughton, Joshi’s Holistic Detox is available on Amazon.com from $14.94.
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