One of the most common ways to lose weight is to eat foods which can detoxify and cleanse the body, this is how the term "detox diet" was coined and it has proven to be quite effective. Most detox diets lay a strong emphasis on fruits and vegetables either raw or juiced, restrict calories and eliminate foods like flour, meat, dairy, caffeine, sugar, salt, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and so on. Detoxing can help you lose weight by:

(1) Eradicating constipation - Being constipated can impede the weight loss process and eating foods like fruits and vegetables will definitely get rid of that problem. Fruits and vegetables contain digestive enzymes and "cleansing" agents like fiber and fluid and these can actually cleanse your colon to get rid of metabolic wastes, hence aiding weight loss. Sometimes, foods like herbs and spices are also used as part of a detox diet.

(2) Staving off hunger pangs - Believe it or not but nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables can actually keep hunger pangs at bay which means no more binging and overeating which are counterproductive for weight loss. Try to have a big dish of broccoli, one apple and a glass of water for lunch and tell me if you feel satiated or not.

(3) Boosting metabolism - Nutrient-rich foods contain antioxidants which can stimulate your metabolism and boost your fat burning furnace eventually. A person with a sluggish metabolism will have a harder time losing weight. If you eat more of these metabolism-boosting foods, you won't feed tired and lethargic and your immune system will become stronger too.

(4) Cleansing your liver - Your liver is a vital organ which helps filter toxins and other harmful chemicals from the blood, consequently the liver is a dirty organ and needs to be cleanse. A clean liver fosters weight loss because during the liver cleansing process via a detox diet, you'll also get rid of toxins that promote obesity notably chemicals like Bisphenol A and Tributyltin.

Here is a list of foods that can help detox your body for weight loss - Artichokes, avocados, apples, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, collard greens, kale, dandelion root, dill, fennel, green tea, lemon, berries, pineapple, milk thistle, onions, garlic, wheat grass, yogurt, seaweed, basil, ginger, cinnamon, parsley and so on.

Although detoxing is usually done for a certain period of time, it can actually be used as part of your lifestyle and this is what it's supposed to be if you want to lead a healthy lifestyle. You should eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to stay healthy, slim and fit.