Oprah's Detox Diet

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By Vicki Salemi

In case you haven't heard, Oprah is following a new nutritional plan. Apparently this one is different, better and, yes, spiritual. Following Kathy Freston's Quantum Wellness, Oprah recently began her journey with a 21-day cleanse. Why? She says to achieve the highest level of health and contentment.

Out With Oprah

TO GO WITH AFP STORY: US-politics-Obama-inauguration-people. Washington ready for star-spangled Obama inauguration. by Rob Woollard.This January 11, 2009 combination image shows some of the many celebrities that will be a part of Barack Obama's Inaugural ceremonies on January 20. Top row L-R: Singer Sting, singer Aretha Franklin, actor Timothy Bottoms, TV talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey, singer Elvis Costello. Second row L-R: Actor Tom Hanks, singer Bruce Springsteen, comedian Chris Rock, actress Patricia Arquette, singer Dionne Warwick. Third row L-R: Actor/director Ron Howard, Director Spike Lee, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, actress Susan Sarandon, singer Mary J. Blige. Bottom row L-R: Actress Anne Hathaway, actor George Clooney, singer Beyonce Knowles, actor Ed Harris, and actress Angela Bassett. AFP PHOTO/FILES (Photo credit should read FILES/AFP/Getty Images)

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Suzanne "Africa" Engo who lost 100 pounds on diet and completed a 1000 mile run from NY to Chicago to spread awareness about AIDS at Africa House hosts a celebration of Oprah Winfrey's Best Life Diet Week on January 8, 2009 in New Jersey..Suzanne "Africa" Engo Celebrates Oprah Winfrey's Best Life Diet Week.Africa House.Undisclosed, New Jersey United States.January 8, 2009.Photo by Michael Loccisano/WireImage.com..To license this image (16441710), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Urban Yoga Foundation founder Ghylian Bell and Suzanne "Africa" Engo mentor at the celebration of Oprah Winfrey's Best Life Diet Week hosted by Engo who lost 100 pounds on diet and completed a 1000 mile run from NY to Chicago to spread awareness about AIDS at Africa House on January 8, 2009 in New Jersey..Suzanne "Africa" Engo Celebrates Oprah Winfrey's Best Life Diet Week.Africa House.Undisclosed, New Jersey United States.January 8, 2009.Photo by Michael Loccisano/WireImage.com..To license this image (16441685), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Dr. Mehmet Oz (R), the Oprah Winfrey-endorsed doctor who is about to have his own Sony-produced TV show, measures the waist of Sony CEO Howard Stringer during Stringer's keynote address at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 8, 2009. Oz offered health tips including that a man's waist size should be half of his height for a healthy weight. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

**FILE** This Sept. 25, 2008 file photo shows Herman and Roma Rosenblat posing for a photo in their North Miami Beach, Fla. home, as they talk about "Angel Girl," the book written by Laurie Friedman, about the beginning of their relationship during the Holocaust. Oprah Winfrey has yet to comment on Rosenblat and his debunked story of meeting his future wife in a concentration camp. But a brief disclaimer has been added to her Web site, which still devotes substantial space to the Rosenblat romance. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter,File)

** FILE ** This May 3, 2007 file photo shows talk show host Oprah Winfrey smiling as she arrives for the Chicago premier of "The Color Purple". Winfrey has yet to comment on Herman Rosenblat and his debunked story of meeting his future wife in a concentration camp. But a brief disclaimer has been added to her Web site, which still devotes substantial space to the Rosenblat romance. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, file)

Oprah's 21-day detox avoids caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten and dairy and animal products, says AOL Coach Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University and author of 'What to Eat?' So what's left? Oprah's vegan diet embraces whole grains and fiber, beans and legumes, steamed or sautéed vegetables, flax crackers, peanut butter, almonds, blueberries and more.

People adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet for a variety of reasons. Most believe it is healthier, more environmentally-friendly or a boon to animal rights. But there are differences. While all vegetarians don't eat meat, some do eat fish or dairy.

Vegans distinguish themselves in a different way, says Nestle. All dairy, eggs, meat and fish are taboo. While Oprah blogs about feeling like she was baptized in "Vegan Land," and never imagined that meatless meals can be so satisfying, it's no surprise she feels so satiated. For example, one of Oprah's "mmmmmm good" dinners included asparagus cream soup, Portobello mushrooms, white beans and spinach and sweet potato chips.

Oprah -- being Oprah -- has a personal chef to keep her on the right nutritional track. But that's not essential to success. What is key is eating enough variety and getting enough of the proper nutrients, says Carol Anne Wasserman, board certified holistic food counselor and nutritionist. "You need to be careful," she warns. "You could be setting yourself up for a huge binge once the fast is over."

Instead of just being aware of what she's eating, Oprah says she is also more conscious about where her food is coming from. In fact, she references spiritual integrity in a blog post. "How can people say they're trying to spiritually evolve without thinking what happens to the animals whose lives are sacrificed in the name of gluttony?"

"The spiritual aspect in consuming fresh food from the earth, vegetables in particular, connects you with nature," adds Stella Metsovas, a certified nutritionist and coach in Laguna Beach, CA. "It looks like she's eating about 70 to 80 percent fresh food."

Conscious eating and exercising? Check. Visualization and spiritual practice? All there. Having fun? Yes, ma'am. But will Oprah's new diet actually work? "It's a whole new way to look at her dietary intake," Metsovas explains. "She's consuming more fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants and no processed foods or animal products. It's a win-win situation."

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12 comments

kizzjonez 12:56:17 PM Sep 09 2009

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I was watching Oprahs show a couple of days ago and I thought they had an animal trainer as their guest cause someone brought out this animal hippo but to my surprise it was Oprah! Sorry mah bad.. I proly need some glasses..hehe

jesscouture03 04:12:32 PM Aug 13 2009

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SHES FAT

Lawman823 03:06:26 PM Mar 19 2009

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I saw Oprah's show yesterday, unless it was a old show she is large as ever, she looked like she could bearly fit in the chair. I think she is a beautiful person and feel sorry for her, I blame it on her unhappness and empty life, money is not everything.

patience09219 06:19:20 PM Jan 24 2009

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THAT IS A GOOD IDEA THAT SHE IS DOING..SHE IS CLEANING HER SYSYTEM FROM ALL THOSE BAD FOODS THAT SHE ATE OVER THE MONTHS..THAT IS A GOOD HEALTHY IDEA THAT SHE IS DOING..I'M TRYING TO DO THAT FOR MY DIET, BUT IT TAKES TIME TO STOP EATING MEAT..I HAVE STOPPED EATING RED MEAT AND PORK. JUST CHICKEN AND FISH FOR KNOW..GO OPRAH GO

Anjonspeedling 11:02:37 AM Dec 28 2008

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Why 21 days?

re1uctantOrac1e 09:48:34 AM Nov 29 2008

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good for oprah, but she's not the first person to realize the obvious benefits to an organic lifestyle. it is more environmentally sound to not only abstain from meat and animal products, but to recognize where your food is coming from. people don't realize that the great organic spinach they're eating was grown in china and had to be transported all the way to the mega-chain designer whole foods store they bought it from. want to make a difference with your diet? buy local! it'll enhance not only your health but the environment. and to you nay-sayers who will "take a rack of ribs anyday", stop being petty. just because other people give a **** about what kind of world their kids will be growing up in, and care what they put in their bodies doesn't make them any less of people, and eating meat does not make YOU any better. eating dead carcasses is fine by me, but i'm sure your colon filled with rotting flesh will disagree. ^.^

Arionly 07:53:48 PM Nov 07 2008

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Great Oprah, but I'll stick with meat. I tried the Daniel diet which is similar but I found the diet exhausting and unsatisfying. I could not wait to eat some meat. To the haters, you are so green with envy that you've become a little sad.