Colon Detox Diets

A good colon detox is recommended at least once a year. A successful colon cleanse can lead to a general feeling of better health and increased energy. Typical colon detox diets last anywhere from a couple of days to five days or more--and generally include a liquid-only phase, a soft-food phase, and the consistent inclusion in one's diet of raw and fresh vegetables, fruits and high-in-fiber foods.

First Two Days

The first two days should see you on a strict liquid-only diet. This will not be fun--you won't be able to eat many of the things you feel like eating. This is a critical step in your colon detox, however. The first two days, then, shouldn't see any solid food pass your lips. Stick to juice--any kind of juice. Whenever hunger comes calling, drink more juice.

Next Two Days

Now it's time to try a few easy-to-digest solid foods. While you're still not ready for a steak or potato chips, it is okay to eat items like pudding, yogurt, rice, a milkshake, applesauce, plain noodles and oatmeal or porridge. At this point, a salad (minus the dressing) is always a good idea. Keep drinking water and juice--in fact, try incorporating at least eight cups of water a day into your regular, permanent diet from here on out. Soup, too, is a good idea.

Day Five and Beyond

Focus on increasing the amount of vegetables and fruit in your diet. And one more thing: fiber. Vegetables and fruit take care of much of your fiber needs (as long as they are fresh and raw), but you can additionally get much-needed fiber in foods like whole-wheat spaghetti, barley, oat bran, bran flakes, oatmeal, split peas, lentils, black beans, lima beans and baked beans. Following this five-day plan--then incorporating more fruits, veggies, and high-fiber foods into your diet on a permanent basis--will not only rid your colon of most toxins, but also lead to better health over the long term.