5 day budget detox

Following a LONG winter consisting of a lot of over-indulgence and a decided lack of vigorous exercise I feel the need of a spring-welcoming and energising mini detox.

Considering the state of most people’s pockets I have decided to make this a BUDGET detox. What this means is that I won’t be using any nutritional supplements (as helpful as they are), I’ll be eating organic wherever possible but not obsessing about it. 

 The aim is to avoid certain foods whilst basically increasing the proportion of raw fruit and veg in your diet. Don’t get too hung up on things, just avoid the following and you’ll be making a massive difference.

detoxification

 I’ve included beneficial foods and please do try and eat them as much as you can, include in salads, eat with lunch, whenever you like.

 

AVOID

  •  Caffeine, sugar, alcohol, tobacco – the addictive stuff!
  • Dairy, meat, eggs, saturated fat, salt, additives, wheat - which increase toxic load

5 day budget detox  - what is involved?

  • No supplements
  • Organic wherever possible to reduce pesticide intake, just do as much as you can
  • Some R & R – a little yoga at home or go to a class, listen to some meditations, take a long hot bubble bath, deep breathing
  • Water should be mineral, filtered, or boiled then cooled – aim for 8 glasses per day
  • If you have a juicer do make whatever juices take your fancy, likewise with smoothies, one a day would be ideal
  • Eat lots of the good stuff, and avoid the rest, for this period
 The main detoxification organs we will be supporting are the liver, kidneys, gut and skin: 

Foods to help your liver

  • Cruciferous vegetables: Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower
  • Sulphur-containing foods: onions, raw garlic
  • Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables
  • Lemons and limes
  • Beetroot

 

Foods to help your kidneys

  • Water
  • Herbal teas
  • Parsley

 

Foods to help your skin

  • Water
  • Fruit and veg
  • Golden linseeds
  • Pumpkinseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds


Foods to help your gut

  • Fibre-rich foods especially dried fruit, apples, berries
  • Vegetables especially carrots, broccoli, cabbage
  • Flaxseeds
  • Oats
  • Beans, lentils

 

 

IDEAS

I’m assuming you know how to eat the following but if you’re stuck for inspiration let me know. I will be linking to recipes shortly.

ON RISING

Warm water with half squeezed lemon, and 1 tablespoon manuka honey if you like

 

BREAKFAST

Tailor this to how active your day is. If you are not so active just have some raw fruit for breakfast; if you are going to be busy/active have something more substantial like the muesli/porridge

  • Fruit salad with a tablespoon of mixed seeds
  • Lightly stewed fruit with a tablespoon ground linseeds (I use golden linseeds, Waitrose do the most economical, or your local health food shop)
  • Porridge made with coconut, rice or almond milk, with blueberries and sunflower seeds
  • Oat muesli made from: jumbo oats, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, dessicated coconut, dried cranberries (sugar free). Use dairy-free milk and add fresh fruit if you like
  • If you’re more of a savoury person have oatcakes or rye bread with hummus and tomato/cucumber/avocado

 

DRINKS

  • Dandelion root coffee is very energising and provides good liver support
  • Any caffeine-free drinks are good – go to your local health food shop or decent supermarket and take your pick. They are not expensive
  • Green tea is allowed
  • Home-made vegetable soup
  • Water

 

LUNCH/DINNER

  • Vegetable soup, rye bread or oatcakes with almond butter (available at Tesco, HFS)
  • Hummus and crudités (if you can make your own hummus it is much better, but if you can’t don’t worry about it)
  • Red pepper and almond dip with lots of crudités
  • Bean and garlic dip with crudités
  • Fresh fish and mixed steamed veg/salad
  • Stir/steam fry veg, brown rice, fresh fish or seafood
  • Vegetable curry and brown rice
  • Vegetable chilli and quinoa/baked sweet potato
  • Lentil and vegetable soup
  • Large salads with fresh herbs especially parsley


SNACKS 

  • Fruit, a little dried fruit
  • A few (i.e. not more than SIX) nuts
  • Crudités 
  • Any home-made vegetable soup you like
  • Oatcakes and any nut butter except peanut butter (get from health food shop)


detoxification
 
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