A detox diet helps your body rid itself of nasty toxins, food additives, caffeine, alchohol, and nicotine. If you generally eat poorly, a Spring detox diet is a great idea.
In general, a body detoxification can help anyone who suffers from bloating, indigestion, headaches, fatigue and weight gain. People who have a low immunity can also benefit from a detox diet.
While there are many different takes on a detox diet ranging from mild to extreme, most people should start with a basic one and then bump it up if necessary.
Please note that many detox diets can be unpleasant – this is usually a sign that a body detoxification is exactly what you need. I am not a doctor but I would advise treading lightly with any detox diet you wish to try. A detox diet can be dangerous if not followed properly. Consulting with your doctor before doing any body detoxification is a wise idea.
When following a detox diet, it’s important to commit to the entire body cleanse program from day one. Consistency is the key even with a very mild detox diet.
Following is a detox diet I do four times a year for at least a week.
Start by drinking a glass of warm water and freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ hour before breakfast. This will help to increase bile flow and will assist your liver in breaking down excess fat. It is also beneficial in helping your body eliminate toxins.
Mid-afternoon, I add a touch of chlorophyll (found in health food stores) to another glass of water. Chlorophyll itself is a great detoxifier. It is derived from alfalfa and acts as an antioxidant. It supports the health of your cells and increases red blood cell production. It will also give you more energy.
During a cleanse I also try to incorporate more fiber into my diet. This helps to not only regulate my bowel movements but will aid in the eliminatation of excess toxins. Oat bran or ground flaxseed are great sources of fiber to add on top of cereals or to blend with applesauce. If you enjoy smoothies consider tossing in a little oat bran or ground flaxseed into the blender for added fiber.
Incorporating more foods that benefit your liver is also important during a detox diet. Eating liver friendly foods year round is always a good idea for general health maintenance. Such foods include carrots, celery, beets and lemons. As for seasonings that benefit your liver consider turmeric, rosemary, cumin and curry.
It’s also a good idea to eliminate or at very least reduce your consumption of possible allergenic foods for a period of one to two weeks. Foods such as refined sugars, MSG, dairy, oranges, chocolate, soy, peanuts, yeast, caffeine, alcohol and basic starches are typical allergenic foods.
During a detox diet you are also best to avoid wheat. Wheat alternatives include 100% rye bread, Ezekiel bread, brown rice, quinoa, barley, oats and millet.
Sometimes, I simply give my digestive system a break by going on a liquid detox diet. Spring is my favourite time of year to do this. In the winter, I find I need the comfort of added fiber to sustain me but once the weather starts to warm, I often turn to a liquid cleanse.
My liquid detox diet usually lasts for upwards of a week and consists of just about anything in liquid form that doesn’t contain sugar and preservatives.
Usually I turn to pureed soups, smoothies and 100% fruit and vegetables juices. I have also been know to add flax, sesame or pumpkin seed oil to my smoothies or soups to balance out my meals and to help my body cleanse itself better.
Published by Sherrie Le Masurier on April 17, 2006 10:45 AM
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