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Pineapple Detox Diet

author image Amanda Lynch
Pineapple Detox Diet
The pineapple detox diet requires you consume nothing but juices for a week. Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

Some people swear by detox diets, claiming that these diet jump-starts get them losing pounds quickly and easily. Exercise caution when following any "detox" plan like the pineapple detox diet, as your body will likely be receiving inadequate amounts of nutrition. While following a detox plan for a few days may not do long-term harm to your body, it can cause unpleasant side effects.

Detox Diets Explained

You may have heard of detox diets in tabloid magazines -- people often follow them in an attempt to lose weight very quickly. Detox diets tend to focus on one or two food groups, such as only leafy green vegetables, only fruits and fruit juices or only all-natural uncooked foods. Some more extreme versions of detox diets require that you consume only liquids for the duration of the plan. Detox diets generally require that you eschew food additives, caffeine, alcohol and sugar. While there is no evidence that your body requires detoxification, some people may feel good after completing a detox diet simply because they feel that they are doing something positive for their body. Talk with your physician before embarking on any new diet or eating plan.

The Pineapple Detox Diet

The pineapple detox diet, also sometimes called the 7-day detox diet or the Metzger pineapple diet, is based on the unproved principle that pineapples contain enzymes that boost weight loss. The pineapple detox diet requires you drink only freshly-made juices, in the order prescribed. Each day requires a different juice. For example, there is one day that you drink only juice made from leafy green vegetables. On another day, you drink only pineapple juice. Talk with your physician or health care provider before beginning this diet, and exercise extreme caution following any diet that requires you to avoid eating.

Detox Diet Warnings

While the name "detox" seems harmless enough, the truth is that detox diets can have very unpleasant side effects, and may offer little benefit at all. According to the Mayo Clinic's Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., detox diets are completely unnecessary because your kidneys and liver are very effective at removing any toxins you do consume. Additionally, Zeratsky says to watch out for side effects like fatigue, dizziness, nausea and dehydration if you are following a detox diet plan.

Detox Diets to Seek

Most detox diets are so low in calories and nutrients that they can stress your GI tract and cause unpleasant side effects. In an article for "Fitness" magazine, New York-based registered dietitian and exercise physiologist Mary Jane Detroyer offers a few suggestions for detox diets that might help get you started on a weight loss path. While she does say that you should follow any detox diet only for a short time and only while exercising extreme caution, Detroyer feels that detox diets that do allow for your eating solid food are best. If you must detox, make sure the diet you choose allows you to eat vegetables and fruits, some healthy grains, healthy oils and proteins. Watch your nutrient intake, and expect that eating a large amount of fiber may cause gassiness and bowel discomfort. Don't forget to speak with your physician before starting a detox plan.

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