Squeezing fresh lemon juice into your water may be refreshing, but do not overthink the simple thing - it is fresh lemon juice in water, not a diet. Many detox diets, colon cleanses, or juice fasts promise dramatic weight loss in a short amount of time by "detoxing" or "cleansing" your body.

Detox diets are usually unrealistic and are not recommended for long term use. And in actuality, detox diets are not really necessary because our bodies already detox for us on a daily basis! Our liver detoxifies, our kidneys filter out toxins, and our digestive system eliminates wastes we do not need. And, for those of you who believe colon cleanses lead to weight loss - all the colon cleanse usually leads to is a bowel movement. It is not weight loss, it is just your digestive system eliminating waste.

If you are trying to lose weight or eat healthier, follow these general rules that are realistic, healthy, and can be used long-term:

• Buy more produce. Ever wish you could purchase anything in the grocery store? You can! Anything in the produce department is healthy!
• Be adventurous. If you get bored with your diet, try a new fruit or vegetable. If you do not know how to cook it, look up recipes on the internet. Chances are, you look at your phone and the internet plenty of times throughout the day, so search for a new, healthy recipe!
• Eat more whole grains. Whole grains such as whole grain breads, pastas, cereals and oats naturally have fiber and can help your digestive system.
• Drink more water. Drinking water can help your kidneys and digestive system do their job of detoxing every day. Aim for 8 cups a day.

Bottom Line- Don't waste your time or money on unrealistic promises from detox or fad diets. If it promises something unrealistic, then don't do it. If you are looking to eat healthier or lose weight, eat more produce from the produce section of the grocery store and less junk food.