So You Want to go on a Diet #4: Detox Diet Don'ts

Almost 30 percent of women have tried a detox diet because it worked for a celebrity. But they say they never will again because they were starving the whole time.

If you have a big event coming up soon and you want to drop a few pounds, skip the cleanse. You will lose mostly water weight, Keri Gans, R.D., says, which means you'll put it right back on once the detox is done. "These diets produce fast results because you're consuming about 500 calories a day instead of 1,400 to 1,700 recommended for healthy weight loss," she explains. With so little fuel, you will be tired, irritable and weak - now how you want to be for your special event. To lose quickly but sensibly, Gans recommends stepping up your exercise routine and eliminating one or two high-calorie items for your diet, such as soda, alcohol or sweets. "You'll get the same results, but feel so much better," Gans says.

If you like the idea of the "detox," though, try eliminating all packaged foods or foods with more than 300 milligrams of salt from your diet. By doing this, you would be eating much more whole, natural foods, which are better for your overall health and will reduce bloating and your cholesterol levels. While you inevitably won't be able to eliminate these items forever, it may help you to reduce the amount that you are consuming on a daily basis.