Of course, some of the benefits of reducing processed foods can be experienced almost immediately. "It's not all delayed gratification," noted Weber. "You may feel more energized, more focused, a better mood, maintain a healthy weight, even sleep better."
Anxiety, headaches, irritability and depression are some of those outcomes. Understanding whether withdrawal may also occur with highly processed foods was an essential next step in evaluating whether these foods might be capable of triggering similar addictive processes.
It takes about 36 hours for food to move through the entire colon. All in all, the whole process — from the time you swallow food to the time it leaves your body as feces — takes about two to five days, depending on the individual.
Cutting back on junk food means you'll be receiving less amounts of fat, sugar and calories, which will naturally lead to weight loss. You'll feel more energetic. Receiving more calories from junk food doesn't mean you're obtaining enough nutritional substance.
1. You'll reduce inflammation in your body. If you are eating meat, cheese, and highly processed foods, chances are you have elevated levels of inflammation in your body. While short-term inflammation (such as after an injury) is normal and necessary, inflammation that lasts for months or years is not.
After 10 days you will have reduced your stress levels, helping to lower the risk of slipping into depression. “As soon as you begin working out, blood flow to your brain will increase, helping your brain cells to function more efficiently. It's common to feel more alert during exercise and more focused afterwards.”
"You may feel more energized, more focused, a better mood, maintain a healthy weight, even sleep better." Also good: Feeling immediately better will help motivate you to continue making healthy food choices in the future.
What are the benefits? Whole foods are higher in nutrients, such as fiber, minerals and vitamins than processed foods and when they make up the majority of a diet, may lower rates of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. Whole foods allow nutrients to act together like they were meant to.
If you have a big meal, your stomach doesn't magically get bigger and stay that way—it shrinks back down to its previous size in about four hours or less as your food is pushed along to the small intestine, Staller says.
Natural Detox: You will begin a natural detoxification process as you consume more amino acids, micronutrients, and fiber; some people actually feel worse during the first week of clean eating because of this detox process.
A 2018 study published in Appetite science journal suggests quitting junk food can cause withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced when quitting tobacco or addictive substances. You may suffer increased irritability and fatigue, as well as headaches for those giving up sugar and/or caffeine.
Extreme cravings, headaches, fatigue, low energy, brain fog, gas, and bloating. Have you ever experienced a situation where you start eating healthier and instead of feeling better, you feel worse?
Week-to-week and month-to-month, keeping your body healthy and disease-free makes good moods more likely. For example, key nutrients you get in certain foods can influence the levels of feel-good hormones such as serotonin. Other nutrients can help prevent inflammation so blood circulates well to all of your organs.
Eggs. Eggs are many people's go-to 'clean' food, especially among protein hungry or lean dreaming gym goers. However, this is at the top of the list for a reason. Eggs may be one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat.
A clean diet may include whole fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats while limiting highly processed snacks and other packaged foods with added sugar and salt. It may also be associated with terms like plant-based, grass-fed, sugar-free, or gluten-free.
A well-rounded diet with plenty of protein and fiber, from vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and beans, for example, will support a healthy metabolism and promote overall health, as well. Getting enough physical activity and maintaining healthy muscle mass can also help improve the overall energy expenditure.