Safe and Simple Ways to Detox

Detoxification is a topic we see actively discussed this time of the year when many are resolving to start their new year off right.

So what does the term mean? Well first, it’s important to know that detoxification is a process that our bodies engage in naturally to get rid of unwanted materials, also known as toxins. Toxins come from a variety of sources. There are environmental toxins such as pesticides and gasoline fumes, lifestyle toxins which would include cigarettes and medicines, and internal toxins which are produced during our body’s digestive and metabolic processes. A well functioning
body works around the clock to rid itself of these unwanted elements.

So can we do something to help our bodies along in cleaning out the toxins? Absolutely, that’s where detoxification as an outside process comes in. The following are some ways that the best detox spas have been known to use. These should help optimize your body’s abilities in cleaning itself out:

Cut Out the White Stuff

Flour and sugar—present everywhere, and oh, so hard to resist. At least one third of the calories the average American consumes come from sugar and white flour.

Sugar, especially, is downright addictive and present in foods you wouldn’t even think about. Bottled spaghetti sauce, ketchup, salad dressings, bread, and many cereals that are labeled “healthy”all contain sugar. Then, of course, there are all the sweet treats we love to consume such as sodas and candy. What is so detrimental about sugar? Aside from containing no essential nutrients and being bad for your teeth, sugar either causes or is a major risk factor in cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and various digestive ailments.

Flour, in its highly refined state, has the same affect on our system as sugar. It is a difficult ingredient to avoid because food items containing refined flour are everywhere: cookies, doughnuts, crackers, pizza, and chicken nuggets to name a few. We have also become accustomed to eating meals that contain at least one item that uses it. Breakfast cereals and sandwiches strike most people as harmless entrées, but they contain flour which is known to cause inflammation. Being chronically inflamed means it takes longer for your body to recover from injuries; it also leaves your immune system more vulnerable to illnesses.

Incorporate the Colorful Stuff

Fruits and vegetables—they are the foods that by some accounts we should be consuming nine servings of per day. Fruits and veggies provide a myriad of benefits.They are loaded with antioxidants that help remove toxins from the body. This food group also provides us with the real complex carbohydrates. Foods like breads and pastas that are thought of as complex carbs are not complex at all. Most breads and pastas consist of highly refined flour and behave just as sugars would in our bodies.

Make it a goal to eat a variety of colors each day, and give special preference to dark, leafy greens. Salads and smoothies that incorporate kale, spinach, swiss chard and collard greens mixed in with other fruits and veggies will provide you with a big boost in your detoxing efforts.

The following are some detox superstars:

•    Apples – contain pectin, a soluble fiber that helps remove food additives and metals from your system.
•    Beets – a true nature’s wonder that is low in calories but high in sugar. Beets contain a great source of phytonutrients known as betalains, red and yellow pigments that make up the fruit’s color. These nutrients have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which prove helpful when detoxing.
•    Ginger – another food with anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can be brewed as a tea and taken that way as well as mixed in with savory dishes.
•    Pineapple – this juicy, yellow fruit contains bromelian, an enzyme that aids in digesting proteins, breaking down fats, and reducing inflammation.
•    Avocados – another one that helps with the elimination of toxins, this versatile green fruit can be mixed into smoothies or used as a dip. Avocados also provide a healthy dose of fats so that you can feel full longer.

What About the Red?

Yummy burgers and steaks— while lean cuts of red meat are good for you in moderation and provide a great source of protein, the human body uses a lot of energy to digest and metabolize these types of meats. While going through a detox, it’s better to allow your body to use its energy in eliminating toxins that are already present.

In place of red meat, try chicken or seafood in moderation. Even though you are detoxing, it is still important to consume a good source of protein to avoid extreme lightheadedness or difficulty in concentration.

Stop the Black

Some like it black, others prefer it brown, others want it brown and sweet…you know what we’re talking about here—coffee, or rather caffeine. Caffeine is a drug that your body naturally detoxifies in the liver. It treats it in the same manner in which it treats a pain reliever or any other medicines you might take. Since the goal of giving up certain foods is to lighten the amount of toxins your body normally processes thereby giving it a chance to “reset,” it’s best to give up caffeine for the duration of the detox.

Depending upon how much caffeine you normally consume, you should allow yourself at least a few days to acclimate. If you drink four cups of coffee a day, then you might want to start off by decreasing to two cups on the first day, followed by one cup the next day, and maybe a half a cup on the third day. On the fourth day you can start by eliminating it all together. Find a formula that works well for you.

While you may miss the caffeine, you will just as likely miss the ritual of sipping on something warm throughout the day. Some good substitutes are herbal and green teas (decaffeinated) and our favorite: warm water with lemon. The lemon in the water will provide yet another support in your detoxing efforts.

21 Days

Following one or more of these tips for 21 days will have you on the path to looking and feeling better. Is it challenging in the beginning? Yes, but even though items like sugar and flour are addictive and difficult to give up at first, the longer you go without consuming them the less you tend to miss them. Keeping full with a good amount of complex carbs (aka fruits and vegetables) along with small portions of good quality protein is key to sustaining your energy while helping your body to detox.

While strenuous activity is not recommended during a detox, walking, stretching, deep breathing, or going to your yoga center are all good ways to get some activity in during this time.

Wishing you good health on your path to improvement!