by Carly Braith

Created on: January 11, 2010   Last Updated: January 13, 2010

Ann Gittleman's Fast Track Detox Diet brings together two issues that often take two separate books-detoxification and weight loss. And yet they are vitally linked.  

The theory is that toxins are stored preferentially in fatty tissues and are released when a person diets. This release of toxins has been shown to be one of the major factors involved in dieting mood swings and in the slowing of weight loss. Simple fasts cause toxins to be released, but these compounds are quickly reabsorbed under fasting conditions, plus the body reacts badly to being suddenly pushed to the wall with fasts. The author knows this and therefore carefully prepares the dieter in the period up to the fast, tells the dieter what to consume to prevent the metabolism from plummeting during the fast, and then maps out an approach for the days following the fast. 

If you find that you suffer from these issues:  
- overweight
- bloating
- fatigue
- bad skin/rashes
- gastric issues
- problems sleeping
- cholesterol problems
- eating  lots of restaurant meals & takeout
- non-organic food
- fast-food or processed prepared meals
- a passion for sugar, alcohol or caffeine
- overeating/portion control problems
- too much starch, not enough vegetables in your diet

Then you may find this book helpful: if you have the will power and money to change.

However, is it really a one day detox? No, not at all. So the title is misleading. And it is a lot of work. Can you give up caffeine? Can you give up alcohol? Here are some tips for making it work.

-Give up caffeine a few days before you start. Find some `legal' recipes you want to try. Warn your spouse/friends that if they eat out of the cracker box in front of you, you might get irritated.
-Start on a Monday or Tuesday so you only have to diet over one weekend
-If you are used to a weekend evening cocktail, mix some cranberry juice, fresh lemon, sparkling water and stevia in a wine glass. It almost fooled me.
-Make a chimichurri sauce with parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic and have it on hand to help you meet that `requirement'.
-For the fast, drink the juice and water exactly as suggested by the book.

-Try to exercise during prequel and sequel, you will have enough energy and it might focus you away from food.
-Start the diet with a partner

Weight loss/detox expert, author, spokesperson, and natural foods icon, Dr. Ann Louise is an award-winning author of 30 books. Dr. Ann Louise was recognized as one of the top ten nutritionists in the country by Self magazine and was the recipient of the American Medical Writers Association award for excellence.

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