How to Successfully Detox after the Holidays
The holidays are always a source of irresistible and extremely rich foods and drink. The sugar and fat content has been off the charts. The alcoholic drinks flowed freely. The stress levels were at the highest of the year! Holiday toxins also come from the environment where there is excessive house cleaning and new items are brought into the home. Those toxins also need to be flushed from the body.
So it is a great idea to think of detoxifying after the new year celebration. It is also a great idea to avoid some of the pseudo scientific, fad and potentially dangerous detoxification scams and fads. Finally, a couple of days on a clear, light diet plus a food diary will help to determine if any food allergies need to be identified.
First, here are the actions to avoid:
Do not use heavy laxatives or other methods to rapidly clear the bowels. Violent and rapid bowel evacuations and purges are hard on the body and will cause loss of fluids, nutrition, vitamins and minerals. A healthy body will process its wastes quite well and in good time.
Do not fast. The body still craves nutrition every hour of every day, especially when it is cold and there is additional stress from getting out and about in the rain and snow. The Winter body will not be as capable of staving off colds and flu if it is not well nourished. Also, the food cravings will go off the charts when fasting!
Do not engage in fad, radical or crazy diets. These can cause more damage, food cravings, vulnerabilities to colds and flu, as well as other body upset than if a reasonable diet is taken.
Here are the actions that can be taken to safely detoxify the body.
These actions involve eating foods that contain detoxifying substances, taking plenty of hydration, eating a light diet for a day or two, and staying active so that the metabolism and bowels continue to work properly.
Foods that detoxify the body in different ways. Some will help the liver or the digestive tract to process toxins. Other foods are full of liquids or oils that help to wash out the toxins that are in the digestive tract.
Foods:
Some foods are mildly diuretic in effect and also have Vitamin C. Diuretics help the kidneys and other organs to flush the toxins more effectively.
Watermelon
Cranberry
Green foods are full of Chlorophyll, which works in the digestive tract to get the body rid of environmental toxins from smog, cleaning products and other sources. Chlorophyll also helps the liver to get rid of toxins.
Herbs
Blue green algae,
Barley
Wheatgrass
Kale
Spinach
Spirulina
Alfalfa
Chard
Arugula.
Vitamin C helps to turn toxins into digestible material. Citruses can be high in Vitamin C. They also work like solvents by triggering the enzymes that break down the toxins. These are very acidic fruits, so they should be eaten with other foods and fruits.
Lemons
Limes
Oranges
Pineapple
Vitamin C infused juices are good, but watch the sugar content!
Some foods trigger enzymes in the digestive tract or liver. These enzymes help to break down the toxins until they can either be flushed out of the body or digested.
Green vegetables
Garlic
Vitamin C
Broccoli sprouts, which are said to be even better than broccoli for enzyme triggering.
Catechins are antioxidants that increase liver function and can be found in:
Green and white teas
Chocolate
Grapes
Berries
Apples
Sulphur helps the liver detoxify harmful chemicals. Combine as many of these as possible to bet the biggest sulphur kick:
Onions
Carrots
Artichoke
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kale
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Garlic
Beets
Turmeric
Oregano
Omega 3 oils line the digestive tract, pick up toxins and take them away!
Olive oil
Avocados
Flax Seed Oils
Hemp
Omega 3 butter substitutes and other products can help
Provided that there are no allergies to them, seeds and nuts that are not in nut butter form are easier on the digestion when on a detoxifying program.
Walnuts
Almonds
Sesame Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
The Clear, Light Diet And Food Allergy Check:
A few days on a relatively clear diet will give the digestive tract some relief from fatty and hard to digest Holiday and Winter foods. If food allergies are suspected, then add a new vegetable, fruit or other food each day and pay attention to any strange reactions or digestive upsets. The basic diet is up to each person and does not have to be difficult. Try these foods:
Clear soups or stews with some favorite detoxifying vegetables
Take in as little fat and sugar as possible
Eliminate gravies or floury sauces
No red meats or pork
No breads or pastries
Potatoes and rice without butter, sour cream or cheese
Low fat dairy products
Fruit smoothies with detoxifying fruits
Plenty of hydration
Read more about general nutrition and detoxifying foods:
TheLinus PaulingInstitute has a wealth of information about nutrients and substances in foods.
Global Healing Centerhas a great and simple article on foods that detoxify.
