My achievable detox plan
An internal ‘spring clean’ does help towards optimal health by allowing your body to rest and find equilibrium – the best way to do this is by following my Detox Plan which is achievable and doesn’t mean you have to drastically change your dietary habits. The modern diet is laden with additives, salt, sugar and fats, which can be ‘heavy’ on body systems. A dietary rest such as my Detox allows your digestive system, liver, and excretion systems to balance their functions naturally.What does it involve?
In my suggested Detox Plan, you can eat as much of the following foods as you wish: vegetables, fruits, salads, pulses (lentils, beans, chick peas), non-gluten grains (brown rice, millet, quinoa, buckwheat), raw or toasted nuts and seeds. In small quantities you can enjoy goat’s or sheep’s milk yoghurt, fish, lean chicken, eggs and oats (the only gluten grain). You should restrict fat intake to two tablespoons of cold-pressed olive, walnut, flax or canola (rapeseed) oil daily, to dress salads and vegetables. Cooking methods involve fatfree steaming, grilling or baking. Drinks include water (around 2 litres daily), herb and fruit teas, vegetable juices and diluted fruit juices.Foods to avoid are gluten grains (wheat, rye, barley), cow’s milk products, alcohol, caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate), red meat, sugar, salt, and processed foods. A Detox is not about starving; you should never be hungry and should be able to eat until feeling satisfied. If you do get hungry between meals do eat snacks, as I have suggested in my 7-Day Detox Plan. Initially, you may experience typical Detox symptoms, including a ‘furry’ tongue, headaches, changed bowel habits, and low energy. These symptoms should last for no more than two or three days after which you should feel renewed vigour. While on my Detox Plan make sure you get some light exercise daily, such as walking or swimming but avoid strenuous exercise. You should not undertake a Detox if you are pregnant, diabetic, are under medical supervision (unless supervised by a nutritionist) or if you have an eating disorder.
Preparation, preparation, preparation
It is so important to be organised. Preparing salads to take into work and stocking up in advance is essential. Unusual food items can be found in health food shops – just take your list to them and they’ll be more than happy to help you out. Some take-away items will fit the bill, such as sushi or salads (avoiding mayonnaise). Make brown rice, and refrigerate for up to two days, in readiness for stir-frys, as a side dish, or for breakfast rice. When making salads, make them as interesting as possible with lots of added ingredients such as seeds, grated vegetables, grilled vegetables, cooked beans, tofu, chicken or feta chunks or flaked fish.Prepare by clearing out unsuitable foods. Replace with the following:
- Dairy: Goat or sheep milk yoghurt or cheese, rice milk, soya milk, oat milk, nut milks
- Grains: Brown rice, oat cakes, rice cakes, rice puffs, millet flakes, quinoa, buckwheat or corn pasta
- Drinks: Herb and fruit teas, dandelion of chicory coffee
- Flavourings: Herbs and spices, lemon, balsamic vinegar, toasted sesame oil (use sparingly)
