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It’s that time again… time to get more in control over our food cravings, get healthier and perhaps shed a few kilos that have crept up over the festive season.
While going on a detox or diet program is popular around this time of the year, you don't have to prescribe to lemon water and green juices the whole time. In fact, the human body needs much more than that to revitalise and restore cells back to optimum health.
For the next 3 weeks, I'm going to provide you my simple and effective ways to detox. It's a great way to set up a healthy lifestyle routine as well as break any bad eating habits.
Our bodies naturally detox every day. It’s part of a natural process that allows us to get rid of toxins and regenerate cells. It's like changing the oil in your car - supporting the body's naturally processes with wholefoods that can help to re-boot and re-energise your system, eliminate toxins from the body and help enhance weight loss and optimum health. A well-designed detox menu is high in nutrients, hypoallergenic and anti-inflammatory which can only be obtained from using honest, wholefood ingredients. Basically, my motto for detox is: REMOVE – RESTORE - REJUVENATE.
PHASES OF A DETOX
The liver detoxifies in two phases and in order to eliminate toxins from the body, both phases need to be supported with adequate nutrients.
Phase 1 - The liver breaks down toxins into smaller components, which can then be eliminated from the body.
Phase 2- Is the actual detoxification process when the toxins are metabolised into simpler substances and removed from the body by various elimination processes.
The nutrients required for these phases are flavonoids, antioxidants and B vitamins found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Glutathione, found in avocados, watermelon, asparagus, walnuts, leafy greens and Pure Native WPI. Essential fats found in extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed coconut oil and flaxseed oil. And lasty amino acids found in nuts, seeds, green vegetables and Healthy Chef Protein.
THE TRUTH ABOUT DETOX
Detoxification is an important part of health and healing, and it can be supported by diet and a healthy lifestyle. One of the major problems with detoxing is the lack of protein people can miss out on. For instance, protein is a vital nutrient needed on a daily basis. It’s needed for balancing hormones, assisting in weight loss, supporting detoxification and digestion, and supporting a healthy immune system. This is essential as your body needs adequate amino acids for the construction of enzymes and other molecules integral to the detoxification pathways. Protein is also the key nutrient that helps you get ageless glowing skin and lean toned muscles. When your body doesn’t get enough protein needed for all these processes, it will source it from muscle tissue, which can lead to loss of muscle mass.
The best way to detox is basically through a healthy eating plan that’s full of life-giving nutrients your body needs to be in optimum health and wellbeing. It also means taking care of your digestion, getting sleep and moving more.
3 SIMPLE WAYS TO DETOX TO GET YOU STARTED:
I believe making small healthy changes can lead to long term positive results. For a healthy way to detox, I recommend implementing the below tweaks to your diet for at least one week and you will experience a healthier, more energetic you. I also encourage you to continue these tweaks beyond one week until they become daily habits and I guarantee you'll naturally lean towards a healthier body weight, as well as look and feel amazing.
1. DRINK WATER
You want to keep your digestive system moving and rid the body of excess toxins, so drink plenty of water. I always drink a few glasses of water with a squeeze of lemon in the morning as soon as I get out of bed. To one of the glasses, I’ll also add a spoonful of Everyday Greens. This chlorophyll rich elixir works as a natural anti-inflammatory to support gentle detoxification as well as prevent digestive issues such as IBS, constipation and bloating.
Studies from the International Journal of Chemical Studies show that chlorophyll rich vegetables are known to improve sleep, naturally regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, support weight loss, improve digestion and elimination, support healthy skin and slow down cellular ageing.
2. MAKE A RAW JUICE OR GREEN SMOOTHIE
Raw juicing provides a concentrated source of nutrition, which can help to regenerate cells in our body. It also allows your body to receive a concentrated source of phytonutrients that can't be obtained by eating a large serving of vegetables.
Smoothies involve blending whole foods, like leafy greens and a little fruit into a liquid without removing the fibre. They are more substantial than juices – thicker, filling and rich in soluble fibre for digestive health. They are also less taxing on the digestive system.
Because smoothies use whole food ingredients, rather than just extracting the juice of fruits and vegetables, I would classify a smoothie as a meal replacement rather than a drink. I often enjoy a smoothie as my breakfast such as My Green Goddess Smoothie.
3. DON'T FORGET PROTEIN
Detox diets are generally low in protein sources, so clean + natural protein shakes are a vital component to a healthy detox program to ensure you receive your daily protein requirement. This is essential as your body needs adequate amino acids for the construction of enzymes and other molecules integral to the detoxification pathways. Other good plant based sources of protein include nuts, seeds, dark greens and fermented tempeh.
I prefer alkalizing protein shakes that support my IBS issues rather than certain vegan sources of protein which can be high in FODMAPs are not that compatible with my personal tummy issues. Also as a note, for those who suffer from bloating, it’s best to shake your protein using a blender bottle or alternatively blend your smoothies quickly, so you reduce the amount of air that gets trapped in the smoothie, that can sometime cause more bloating in sensitive people.
Organic Pea Protein is the perfect plant based protein to support optimum health + wellbeing. Ideal for improving sustained weight loss, sports performance, glowing skin and support digestive health.