Kids' Nutrition: Detox Diets & Teens
Are detox diets safe for teens?
A "detox" diet refers to any method of dieting that uses foods, drinks, herbs or other items to remove environmental or food toxins from the body. Some adults periodically use detoxification diets as a way to "cleanse" their systems.
However, in the case of your teenager, it is much more likely that he or she sees it as yet another way to try and lose weight. This is not a good idea; a detox diet is not meant as a weight-loss technique and is only healthy when it is undertaken by a responsible adult, followed carefully and followed for a very specific, time-limited period.
For these reasons, a chronically dieting teenager is not likely to be a good candidate for safely undertaking a detox diet. In fact, it would probably be a good idea for you to keep a close eye on your teen's dieting habits to make sure that he or she is not on the verge of developing an eating disorder. If you are unsure, it would be a good idea to consult your teenager's health professional about this and other dieting issues and kids' nutrition.
However, in the case of your teenager, it is much more likely that he or she sees it as yet another way to try and lose weight. This is not a good idea; a detox diet is not meant as a weight-loss technique and is only healthy when it is undertaken by a responsible adult, followed carefully and followed for a very specific, time-limited period.
For these reasons, a chronically dieting teenager is not likely to be a good candidate for safely undertaking a detox diet. In fact, it would probably be a good idea for you to keep a close eye on your teen's dieting habits to make sure that he or she is not on the verge of developing an eating disorder. If you are unsure, it would be a good idea to consult your teenager's health professional about this and other dieting issues and kids' nutrition.
Answered by
Dr. Susan Bartell
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