Barely a day goes by when we don’t hear about the latest detox craze.Between celebrities attributing their red carpet figures to a three-day detox and friends singing the praises of the body cleanse they’ve embarked on, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re the only person on the planet not taking part.
If you're sick of keeping schtum during these conversations and are thinking of doing a detox, there’s some very important things to keep in mind before taking the plunge.
Knowing why you’re doing one is just as important as knowing what to expect from your efforts.
So if you’re serious about it, check out these key points and school yourself on the detox do’s and don’t’s!
What is a detox?
A detox is basically a way of cleaning the blood and flushing out the system. Impurities build up in our organs and when they are not properly filtered, we are left feeling sluggish, tired and uncomfortable.
How do you know if you really need one?
If you are suffering from unexplained fatigue, minor infections, bloating or mental exhaustion, you may benefit from a short detox plan.
How do I start?
Kick off your detox in small steps.
First, eliminate major toxins from your diet, such as alcohol, coffee, red meat and saturated fats before including detoxifying foods in your nutrition plan.
By eliminating these massive toxins, you are preparing your body for the next step and slowly remedying your symptoms.
What then?
Increase your water consumption and aim to drink at least two litres of water a day.
Certain foods, such as cabbage, brocolli and beets are fantastic for helping to detoxify your body so stock up on these fantastic food sources and be sure to include them in your daily diet plan.
Include a vitamin C supplement in your diet as this is known for driving toxins from the liver.
Increase your fibre intake by including brown rice as well as organic fruit and veg into your meal planning.
Make time to sweat, preferably in a sauna as opposed to a gym, so that toxins can be driven from your body in the form of perspiration.
How will I feel?
You may feel weak for the first few days as your body reacts to the reduction of sugar in your body, but this will gave way to an increase in energy as your body responds to the natural highs associated with water and fresh veg.
Do’s
Do replace caffeine with herbal teas.
Do include aloe vera juice in your diet as it is known for its intestine healing properties.
Do catch up on sleep and be sure to rest as this will naturally help restore your body's proper balance.
Dont’s
Don't expect to feel amazing after one day, give your body time to adjust to the change!
Don't detox if you are pregnant or lactating.
Don't exercise excessively while detoxing as your body needs to rest and recuperate while adjusting to the nutritional change.
One last tip!
When attempting your first cleanse, experts advise you don't detox for more than three days.
Slowly reintroduce your body to the foods you had cut out, however you may be surprised that you're a little reluctant to do so!
