Detox Diet Plan: How To Effectively Detoxify Your Body In 7 Days
Whether it’s from the food we consume, the air we breathe, or items like cosmetics and household cleaners, every day we’re exposed to chemicals and toxins that one way or another, find their way into our body. Fortunately, our body has a natural detox system that removes the harmful chemicals, yet, the best way to avoid these components is switching up your diet and lifestyle. With the new year coming up, there’s no better time to entertain the idea of following a natural detox diet.
According to maxliving, the most important way to detoxify is through a healthy diet. The first step of getting your body back on track is removing foods that get in the way of detoxification, like junk foods, while increasing the intake of nutritious and detox foods. This is a natural way of detoxing your body, and not only will you get rid of toxins, but this new diet will also boost your energy level and improve digestion. Let this be your new year’s resolution. Read on to learn more:
We already mentioned the body’s natural detox system to get rid of chemicals. As Dr. Axe writes our skin removes bacteria out through sweat, our kidneys filter through liters of blood and produce urine, lungs expel carbon dioxide, our intestines extract nutrients from food to eliminate waste products, and our liver throws out toxins from the body. All organs work together to keep us healthy.
What we can do, is help this process by making daily detox a priority and take care of our body by staying healthy, full of energy, and reduce any disease risk. You can even follow a short detox diet, a 7-day program, to give your body a break from all the toxins. Remember to chose a week you have no functions or events that might interfere with your detox.
The best foods for your diet plan
Fruits
Whether they’re fresh, frozen, canned, or dried, fruits should be included in your diet plan, and this includes apples, pears, bananas, pineapple, mango, grapefruit, oranges, raisins, and others. Fruits are a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, and are water-rich.
Vegetables
In addition to other nutrients, vegetables also provide a wide range of fiber and phytochemicals. Ideally, you will choose organic plant foods, but if they’re costly or just not available, at least opt for pesticide-ridden vegetables and fruits. Again, you can have fresh, frozen, or vegetables canned in water, but don’t add salt.
Proteins
Your body’s two major detoxification pathways inside the liver cells, a.k.a. Phase 1 and Phase 2, need protein to function correctly, according to maxliving. Go for wild-caught seafood and grass-fed beef in case you are in need of some protein.
Herbs and spices
Switch your salt shaker for some herbs and spices to add more flavor to your foods, says Dr. Axe. This includes seasonings like basil, parsley, paprika, and cumin. But a spice does much more than just add flavor. These natural foods have many properties that help against inflammation, boost your immune system, improve the health of your heart, and even fight and prevent cancer.
Legumes
Let’s not forget legumes like kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, and many others that are a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, in addition to a variety of amino acid precursors. Dried or canned, don’t neglect legumes.
Fish
Fresh fish like cod, mackerel, salmon, plaice, trout, crab, tuna, red mullet, and many others, are highly recommended and should be a must in your diet plan.
Water
Always stay hydrated. Whether it’s tap or mineral water, it’s important to drink one to three liters of water per day.
Detox diet plan for the next 7 days
1. Lemon juice every morning
Lemon juice never hurt anybody if taken in the right amount and is the perfect start to cleanse the system. Get a cup of hot water, squeeze half a lemon juice, and drink before breakfast.
2. Exercise
What better way of removing the toxins than sweating them out. This way, you will also burn fat. Whether you’re more into high-intensity interval training or hot yoga, find a workout plan that will suit best your liking and schedule.
3. More raw foods
Make your motto ‘Less cooking, more raw foods’ during detox week. Go for raw foods as they are rich in enzymes and nutrients. Not only will you be doing your body a favor, but you will also save time. Make it a habit to add fresh sprouts to your salad, daily.
4. Healthy mind, healthy body
No point in detoxing the body while your mind is a mess, therefore, try detoxing your mind as well with 15 minutes of meditation per day. If you’re not sure you’re doing it right, try belly breathing. Place your hands palm down on the lower belly, and breathe in through the nose, slowly counting to 3 or 4 counts. Breath out equally slow and allow your belly to drop.
5. Drink plenty of water
Water helps move the lymph and support kidney detoxification, therefore aim to drink up to three liters per day. Look for properly filtered water to avoid more toxins. You can also have fresh vegetable juice or herbal detox teas. Ideally, you will make your own brew by adding one or a combination of Dandelion root and nettle, calendula, cleavers, burdock, and red clover. You can add one teaspoon of dried herbs to a cup of water and leave it to steep for five minutes. After five minutes, strain it and then drink.
6. Get enough sleep
A few years ago, scientists identified a brain detoxification process – glymphatic system which happens when we sleep. Lack of sleep will impair the glymphatic system, thus accumulating more toxins, according to Andy R. Eugene and Jolanta Masiak. So if you want to completely detoxify your body, don’t neglect a good night’s sleep, because it is important for your mission.
7. Reduce exposure (to chemicals)
Stay away from household cleaners, processed food, plastics, building materials, and other chemicals. You can start by joining Environmental Working Group and they will help you identify toxins in your body.
Read also: How To Cleanse Your Colon By Removing 20 Pounds Of Toxic Waste
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained are strictly for informational purposes only. The Content is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please ALWAYS seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.