Detox or cleansing plans: Five myths about these popular New Year’s diets – Detroit Free Press

Bethany Thayer| Henry Ford Health System

For many, the new year means its time to cleanse and detox.

But what does that mean?

Some plans involve fasting or living on liquids, while others addmore fruits and vegetables to yourdiet. The most extreme of the lotcan require taking herbs and supplements while cleansing thecolon (with enemas).

Despite the popularity of these plans, theres very little scientific evidence to support the need to give your organs a digestive vacation.

In fact, detoxing this way may rob your organs of vital nutrients. So, before you ditch your fork, consider these 5 detox myths:

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Thats not to say that cabbage soup and soup in general isnt something to include as part of your healthy eating pattern in 2022. It fills you up with low-calorie broth and lots of vegetables, which means youre getting fiber and lots of other vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Just be sure to include the other food groups to round out your meal.

Eat clean by making half of your plate fruits and vegetables, one-quarter whole grains and the last quarter lean protein. Top the meal off with a glass of low-fat or fat-free milk or calcium-fortified soy milk.

This simple recipe for a tasty Vegetarian Cabbage Soup will get you through cold winter days. Make a batch and then save some in the freezer so youll have a quick, healthy lunch or dinner later, too.

Serves: 16(1 cups servings) / Prep time: 20 minutes / Total time: 4 hours

1 cups carrots, chopped

1 cups onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon paprika

teaspoon ground pepper

2 cans, 14 ounce each, diced tomatoes, unsalted

4 cups green cabbage, shredded

1 cup cut green beans, frozen

46-ounce container low-sodium tomato juice

1 cups green pepper, chopped

3 cups celery, chopped

16 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth

Add all ingredients to a large slow-cooker.

Cover and cook on medium heat for 2 to 4 hours or until vegetables are desired texture.

Remove bay leaves prior to serving.

From Henry Ford LiveWell.

Nutritional information per serving.

56 calories(less than 1% fromfat), 0gramsfat(0 gramssat. fat, 0 gramstrans fat), 12 gramscarbohydrates, 2 gramsprotein, 160 mgsodium, 0mgcholesterol, 43 mgcalcium, 3 gramsfiber. Food exchanges: 2 vegetable.

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Detox or cleansing plans: Five myths about these popular New Year's diets - Detroit Free Press