ON A BODY CLEANSING DIET
On a body cleansing diet – Here is what to eat and what to avoid?
Do you even realise that sometimes you eat healthy but still don’t feel healthy? The reason is that we punctuate this healthy diet with junk food, fattening drinks, late night snacks and unhealthy eating habits in general. That’s why we all need to go on a body cleansing diet every now and then.
A body cleansing diet means only savouring enriched and nourishing foods while abstaining from anything unhealthy so that our body can nurture the nutrients from the healthy diet to its complete potential. It can be a 5-day detox diet, a week-long detox diet or even a month-long detox. A simple lifestyle change like this can rejuvenate your body, cleanse your soul and revitalise your energy levels. .
Here is what to eat:
1. Organic vegetables: Even the sight of fresh and colourful vegetables freshens up our day, so imagine how eating these vegetables regularly can transform your life. Adopting organic vegetables that are completely free from artificial fertilisers can promise the best of nourishment for your body. Vegetables are rich in phytochemical that help regulate hormones, stimulate the immune system, and prevent damage to our body’s cells. Vegetables like collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, kale, beetroot and garlic are especially helpful for liver detox.
2. Organic fruits: Fruits are masterpieces enriched with antioxidants, vitamins, fibres and minerals. Make it a habit to consume at least 3 portions of seasonal fruits in a day and you will be able to feel healthier than ever before. Also, instead of juicing, bite and chew the fruit in its natural form. This helps the fibre intake.
3. Green tea: Green tea is a magic potion blessed with antioxidants. It is very helpful in flushing toxins out of the body. It’s special antioxidant called catechins help in liver detox.
4. Omega 3 oils: Oils enriched with Omega 3 such as flaxseed oil, avocado oil, hemp etc help lubricate the intestinal walls and are perfect for a complete detox of the body.
5. Yogurt: Yogurt contains probiotics that supply healthy bacteria that strengthen the GI tract’s natural flora, helping in digestion and supporting the body’s natural immune responses. Perfect for summers and winters, a bowl of yogurt a day can keep all digestion problems at bay.
6. Unrefined whole grains: It is a myth that a detox diet has to be free of carbs. In fact, a detox diet is incomplete without carbs. Brown rice, quinoa, barley, millet, oats etc. are important parts of a detox diet as these are powerhouses that will lend your body energy and strength.
7. Dry fruits: Soaked nuts help rejuvenate our system. They break down gluten from consumed carbohydrates and aid digestion. Rich in proteins, dry fruits also help dissipating the toxins in the colon and keep it clean. These nuts are power packed with Vitamin B.
Here is what to avoid
1. Meat: Meat deters digestion, clogs up the bowels and assists the harmful bacteria to breed and grow in your guts.
2. Caffeine: Yes, caffeine is perceived as something that can energise the body but it doesn’t. Caffeine in fact leads to increase of toxins in the body.
3. Processed foods: Be it white rice, canned fruits, cereal bars etc. whatever is processed has to be avoided. No matter what the nutrition box at the back of the packet says, avoid these foods as these are full of toxins.
4. Sugary foods: Excessive sugar slows down your body and sugary foods like donuts, cakes, aerated drinks etc and hamper your body cleansing diet.
5. Gluten: Food items containing gluten cause bloating, indigestion and constipation. So strictly avoid foods containing gluten when you are on a cleansing diet.
6. Alcohol: This one is an obvious entry. Alcohol can completely dismantle your cleansing diet. Stay strictly away from beer, whiskey, scotch, white wine. Only an occasional glass of red wine can be harmless.
7. Soy products: Soy products contain chemicals known as isoflavones which can cause hormonal imbalance and also can cause allergies. Soy products in moderation are fine but during your detox diet, try to avoid soy products.
So the next time you think about going on a detox diet, don’t procrastinate it and jump right on to the best decision of your life.