Natural Food Cleansing for Your Body
When we think about detox, most of us think about restrictive diets and fasting. While fasting can have beneficial results in certain situations, it’s usually not the best option for most of us looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Mono-diets (eating just one food) are extreme, and when we come off them, what’s to keep us from rebounding right back to the toxic foods we were eating before?
It is important that when we decide to detoxify our body, we work at the body’s own pace and allow time for gradual discharge and adjustment. Too rapid a cleansing can cause great discomfort, bad reactions and even be dangerous in cases of high levels of toxicity. The human body is already beautifully designed to detoxify and repair through its own protective mechanisms, protecting us every day from toxic exposures. So the question becomes what can we do to support the body’s natural detoxifying capabilities?
Instead of a body detox plan that relies on gimmicks, tonics or extreme diets, try an all-natural body detox that actually supports us to make a sustainable change toward better eating habits and a healthier lifestyle. Try cleansing with whole, organic foods that facilitate healing, reduce cravings and inspire a new appreciation for what we are putting in our bodies. A balanced, health-supportive way of eating will leave us feeling energized, happy and alert. Added benefits include shedding unwanted weight and jumpstarting our metabolism.
Everything we need to start a natural total body detox can be found right in the supermarket. These are the top 10 foods for a detox diet or simply to stay healthy.
Green Leafy Vegetables – Stock up on kale, arugula, wheat grass, collards and spinach. These plants are rich in chlorophyll, which helps rid the body of heavy metals, smoke and harmful chemicals by cleansing the bloodstream and liver.
Apples– Rich in pectin, a soluble fiber, apples bind with the toxins in the intestines and expel them directly from the blood through the digestive tract.
Garlic – Contains essential minerals selenium and allicin, which have a special ability to clean the liver and the bloodstream.
Nuts and Seeds – Flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds and walnuts give the body high-quality protein and fat and are rich in antioxidant minerals and vitamins.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flaxseed Oil – These heart-healthy oils help lubricate the intestines, allowing toxins to be absorbed by the oil and escorted out of the body.
Citrus Fruits – Load up on Vitamin C-rich oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes. These fruits stimulate the digestive tract and help cleat toxins out of the liver.
Fermented Foods – Sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, kefir, kombucha and yogurt supply our bodies with a natural source of probiotic bacteria that support a healthy digestive tract and liver and may also help the body break down pesticides.
Red and Yellow Fruits and Vegetables – Carrots, beets, squash and sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which acts as a scavenger against harmful molecules flowing in the body from cigarette smoke and air pollution.
Herbal Teas – Loaded with antioxidants, herbal teas help the body get rid of toxins and waste.
Whole Grains – Include whole grains such as brown rice, millet, oats and quinoa. These high-fiber grains cleanse the colon and work together with the liver and gallbladder to remove toxins from the intestinal tract.
Delicious Detox Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh pineapple
3-4 strawberries
1 banana
Directions:
Add the coconut milk. Fill the blender halfway with fruit and the rest with greens. Add slowly while blending. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes or until very smooth.
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