Gentle Detox Diet

   January is affectionately known as National Detox Month in my home. Although I am a big proponent of both wine and chocolate, as you may have guessed by now, there is a wine line and many of us cross it during the holidays. January is the time to take control, step away from the chocolate, and get comfortably back into your jeans.

  There are many ways to detox. Some preach a liquid fast, some a complete fast, and others prefer a detox diet. I'm of the diet mentality, primarily because fasting can wreak havoc with your blood sugar and is often inconvenient. If you are planning to amp up your exercise a bit for the new year, it is difficult to do that while you fast as well.

   You won't stick with a diet plan that is too uncomfortable.


 Many people don't realize how terrible a liquid or total fast can make you feel. Your body releases toxins very quickly under those extreme measures which often results in flu-like symptoms. If you have a life, and most people do, you will end up cutting your fast short and feeling like a failure.

 A great way to clean out the digestive track, get rid of that puffy feeling, put a spring back into your step, and a twinkle in your eye is to embark on a week or two of gentle cleansing. The results can be the same as with the quicker juice fast if you do it correctly.

  Following is the diet and exercise plan I suggest to clients.

 Morning: A protein smoothie. Use frozen berries (any kind), 1/3 to 1/2 banana (the banana is optional, but only have it once a day if you do), almond, coconut, or hemp milk, and protein powder (I prefer hemp), add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

Cinnamon helps to get your metabolism going.

 Mid morning: 12 to 20 raw almonds and a piece of fresh fruit in season. It's best to stay away from tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples, and papaya because they are higher on the glycemic index.

 Lunch: A large, raw, chopped salad with many colors. Use romaine lettuce, red and green cabbage, and other raw vegetables of your choice. Make your own dressing with olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice. Have another protein smoothie, tofu, beans, or other vegan protein.

 Buy organic vegetables if possible. Since part of your goal is to get rid of the toxins hanging around in your system there's no sense adding more when you can help it.
Mid afternoon:12 to 20 raw almonds and a different kind of fresh low glycemic index fruit. If you are having several smoothies a day, hummus and vegetable sticks, or celery and a tablespoon of almond butter are also good snacks. Be careful not to over do the fruit and end up with too much sugar in your system. Three servings a day is plenty.

  If you are very hungry have another smoothie, a vegan protein, or more salad. Don't starve yourself! This is about cleansing not deprivation.

 Dinner: Another large salad and have non-starchy, cooked vegetables as well. Have a serving of protein: either hormone free beef or chicken, wild caught fish, free range eggs, tofu, or other vegetarian option. Have a serving of whole grains such brown rice, quinoa, or a starchy vegetable. Sweet potatoes are a great option.

 Bedtime Snack: One serving of a whole grain cereal like oatmeal with almond, coconut, or hemp milk if you're feeling a little hollow.

 Make a pitcher of decaf green tea with ginger and lemon and sip on it throughout the day.
Drink plenty of pure, clear water.

 Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, processed foods (things with chemical ingredients), baked goods (including bread) and over the counter drugs.

 If you follow this plan for a week or two, you will be eating vegan for the bulk of the day and adding animal products only at night. If you feel happy doing it, it is even better to stick to a vegan diet the entire time. This is hard for some, however.

  Exercise a minimum of 35 minutes a day. More is better, but this isn't the time to start doing sprints at the track or taking up kick boxing. Keep up with your regular routine, or add gentle cardiovascular exercise like walking or jogging to get your blood flowing and your lymphatic system moving.

  Other things that can help the process are:
  • Use any commercial detox that is made from organically grown herbal products that you don't have an adverse reaction to
  • Take warm baths with Epsom salts, preferably at bedtime
  • If you must have coffee, have only one cup a day and drink lots and lots of water with it
  • If you're craving something sweet, use Stevia
  • Get yourself into a rolling sweat regularly; hot yoga classes, indoor cycling, or running work for me
 Finally, if you have any health concerns at all please check with your doctor before embarking on any kind of temporary diet. The above is a suggestion that works for many for a short period of time, but please use common sense. You know your own body.

 For more practical health and fitness advice read The Wine and Chocolate Workout - Eat, Drink and Lose Weight. Available on Amazon in paperback or on Kindle.

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