Contemplating A Cleanse Or Detox? Here Are Some Food Guidelines

Our bodies are exposed to everyday toxins in our air, water, food and even right in our own homes. Over time, those toxins may build up in the body and affect our overall health. For this reason, many health experts recommend regular internal cleansing to help the body more efficiently eliminate toxins and waste.

When choosing an herbal cleansing formula, beginners may benefit from a total-body formula designed for first-time cleansers. Such a program will typically last about two weeks and include gentler whole herbs to provide support for the body’s natural detoxification processes. After that, you may wish to move on to a more advanced cleanse. These may last up to a month and often contain deep-cleansing herbal extracts to promote digestive regularity and help eliminate waste and toxins.

Helpful Tips to Remember
During any type of cleanse, remember that your goal is to support your natural detoxification processes while helping your body maintain a healthy balance of nutrients. For this reason, following a healthy diet during cleansing is also important. Below are some quick tips to help you get started:

  • Add more “living foods” such as raw, organic fruits and veggies (veggies may also be lightly steamed) along with fermented foods that contain beneficial probiotic cultures. These include yogurt, kefir, miso and tempeh. Good fruit choices are Granny Smith apples, kiwi, grapefruit, unsweetened berries, lemons, and fresh pineapple.

  • Lean Proteins: Opt for lean protein sources such as chicken, turkey, beef, game meats, fish, tofu, tempeh, hummus, eggs, nuts, seeds, dairy and quality protein shakes. Buy organic, natural or free-range when possible.

  • Consume Healthy Fats: These include avocado, olives, walnuts, almonds, pecans, flaxseeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sardines, salmon, coconut and coconut milk. Beneficial Omega-3 supplements are also a good option.

  • Opt for well-cooked grains from sources such as millet, buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa, spelt, teff, rye, basmati rice, wild rice, and brown rice—all of which provide added fiber while cleansing.

  • Herbal teas including chamomile, peppermint, green teas, and pau d’arco are good.

  • Water, Water, Water: Drinking plenty of water is essential during cleansing. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water every day. Choose purified, spring or filtered water if possible.

  • Try to limit your consumption of sugar (both table sugar and hidden refined sugars) and starchy carbohydrates, which may feed unhealthy microbes in the gut.

Questions Answered

Will cleansing flush out vitamins and other supplements?
No. Cleansing herbs function by simply “up-regulating” your detoxification functions.* They do not flush out vitamins or other supplements.

When should I take supplements while cleansing?
Vitamins and supplements can be taken along with a cleanse, but we generally recommend an hour or so spacing between a cleansing formula and other supplements. As always, consult your physician first if there is any doubt about mixing supplements—or especially mixing supplements with medicines. 

*information adapted from Renew Life

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Peggy Van Cleef