When the holiday season is over or when the seasons change, people tend to think about detoxification. It’s of no surprise really that after stuffing yourself with food and drink you want to feel lighter, or that when it gets warmer you want to look better in your clothes. Regardless of your reasons, it’s rarely a bad idea to engage in some type of detox.
The only problem is, many people will go all in when their body may not be ready for it. Buying herbal detox kits or fasting can be a sharp adjustment for your detoxification system, and the sustainability of each is usually short term when approached in such an abrupt manner. A much nicer practice would be to focus on detoxifying through food only, at least in the beginning, so your body can begin to lighten the load systematically without creating a toxic back up that could easily make your life more miserable.
With that in mind, here are four easy ways to detox using food only.
Green juice
Starting your day with a glass of green juice is a nearly perfect way to get started in the right direction. After fasting for 8-12 hours, your body is ready for a gentle, hydrating, wake up call that is nourishing and refreshing. Nothing fits the bill quite as well as freshly made green juice.
When you ingest this oxygenating, hydrating, nutrient dense, and toxin removing drink you’ll soon feel like a lighter version of yourself, in your mind and on the scale. The enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and easy digestibility of juice will get your bodily systems online and optimized very quickly, and your energy and bowel movements will provide immediate feedback that the nourishment and cleansing action of the green juice is doing its job as promised.
There are many different recipes for green juice, but I find this one to be highly satisfying, cleansing, and delicious. Aim to get at least 8 ounces a day, and work up to 16 ounces for even greater benefits.
Smoothies
If making juice first thing in the morning isn’t your thing but you like the idea of fresh raw fruit and superfoods first thing in the day, then maybe a smoothie is the better start to your morning. Made right, a superfood smoothie can deliver more nutrients in a single glass than many people will acquire in a week.
The advantages of a smoothie is you can work in fruits, greens, fibre, fats, protein, and more all into one delicious serving. So not only can you start with an easily digestible meal (unlike most other breakfast choices), you can also get the energy, brain power, and gut satisfying raw materials to help you coast into midday without craving a coffee, pastry, or other ill-advised choice for your body. Even better, the cleansing action of the fibre and nutrients will leave you feeling lighter, more energetic, and mentally sharper.
Since tastes differ, check out this variety of smoothies that you can incorporate into any meal of the day.
Soups
Most people can agree that a nice, warm, nourishing bowl of soup can really hit the spot. However, what most people might not understand is that a well made soup can also be very detoxifying as well.
The best part about soup is that you can throw in so many vegetables that are mineral rich and loaded with detoxifying agents, and when you focus on using only vegetables and blending them into a creamy texture that makes assimilation a cinch, the cleansing action dramatically increases. Using ingredients like coconut oil, onions, garlic, cruciferous vegetables, and spices will not only make the flavour amazing but it will also provide a gentle yet effective cleansing process as well.
Try the creamy cauliflower, broccoli fennel, or curried butternut squash soup and you’ll begin to appreciate cleansing soups on a daily basis.
Sauerkraut
Perhaps the most cleansing food of them all, sauerkraut (or cultured vegetables) has been adored in European cultures for decades, but have since started to make its mark in North America in the last few years. It is definitely a switch from the sweet and salty tastes many have grown accustomed to and enjoying, but one you get the sauerkraut bug, you’ll never go without it again.
Raw (not pasteurized) sauerkraut is loaded with enzymes, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and fibre, all which facilitate a healthy detoxification process. It has been shown effective in treating many gastrointestinal disorders, liver challenges, and skin conditions due to its amazingly absorbable nutrient profile, along with its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties. Simply add it as a side to any meal, or put it on salads or some eggs, and enjoy the chemistry and cleansing effects.
If you want to make your own, get a simple sauerkraut recipe here. Otherwise, get some raw sauerkraut from your local health food store and start to work it in a many ways as you can.
Once you learn how to work each of these components into your daily diet, you’ll find the detoxification system kicks into gear without overwhelming your body. I lay out the perfect plan, in the THRIVE Academy.
Derek Henry
Derek Henry, Founder of Healing the Body and the THRIVE Academy, used nutrition, supplementation, and a holistic lifestyle to naturally unravel 13 chronic disease conditions that conventional or alternative medical professionals couldn't help him resolve. As a result of this one-in-a-million health transformation and the knowledge acquired in the process, he now educates, coaches, and inspires others to transform their health through a natural and holistic approach. Since 2014, he has helped his THRIVE Academy participants heal over 20 different chronic disease conditions, primarily related to digestive and autoimmune concerns.
Follow Me: