Many people wrongly assume that fasting or drinking a liquid diet after an overindulgence "balances" out the body and "cancels" out what was eaten previously. However, consuming drastically fewer calories than you're used to can actually shock the system and exacerbate gastrointestinal distress. For any major dietary change, the body will adapt better if changes are made over time, instead of all at once.
So today, I started a detox to help my system reboot from the beating it took on Thanksgiving day. It's nothing as drastic as a 100% raw food diet or juice cleanse; instead, it's all about eating whole foods and rehydrating as much as possible.
1. Ginger Tea - Ginger has been used homeopathically for hundreds of years to treat nausea and indigestion. It can be kind of hard to eat raw, though, so I like to have it in my tea. Yogi Tea makes a really great blend.
2. Vitamin C - This vitamin supports the body's production of Glutathione, which is a powerful antioxidant. Citrus fruits are the best known sources of Vitamin C, but it is actually found in higher concentrations in papaya, kale, and bell peppers.
3. Fiber - Eating fiber-rich foods is a great way to naturally clean out the digestive tract. Fiber isn't called nature's broom for nothing! This nutrient can be found in whole grains like brown rice, and in beans and oats.
4. Sweat - While there isn't a lot of scientific evidence supporting the claim that toxins are flushed out of the body via sweating, there's a whole lot of scientific proof that exercise helps your body reboot. Exercising immediately benefits the lungs, brain, heart, and immune system, to name a few. Just make sure you're staying hydrated!
5. Juice - Again, there's not a lot of scientific data regarding juice cleanses, but its potential benefits stand to common sense. When supplementing a healthy diet with all-natural juices, you're adding more vitamin- and antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies to your daily nourishment. However, keep in mind that juices are a lot more effective when consumed as a supplement to a balanced diet. Doing a juice cleanse on its own can be hard for your body if you haven't prepared, and you won't be getting as much fiber and protein as you should be consuming daily.
Read about my own experience with juice cleanses here!
6. Hydrate - This may be last on the list, but it's the first in importance. The average person needs about 8 glasses of water a day; however, this number is higher for athletes and active people (hello, yogis!). And if you're a fan of Bikram or Hot yoga, you'll be sweating out even more water. So drink up!
3. Fiber - Eating fiber-rich foods is a great way to naturally clean out the digestive tract. Fiber isn't called nature's broom for nothing! This nutrient can be found in whole grains like brown rice, and in beans and oats.
4. Sweat - While there isn't a lot of scientific evidence supporting the claim that toxins are flushed out of the body via sweating, there's a whole lot of scientific proof that exercise helps your body reboot. Exercising immediately benefits the lungs, brain, heart, and immune system, to name a few. Just make sure you're staying hydrated!
5. Juice - Again, there's not a lot of scientific data regarding juice cleanses, but its potential benefits stand to common sense. When supplementing a healthy diet with all-natural juices, you're adding more vitamin- and antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies to your daily nourishment. However, keep in mind that juices are a lot more effective when consumed as a supplement to a balanced diet. Doing a juice cleanse on its own can be hard for your body if you haven't prepared, and you won't be getting as much fiber and protein as you should be consuming daily.
Read about my own experience with juice cleanses here!
6. Hydrate - This may be last on the list, but it's the first in importance. The average person needs about 8 glasses of water a day; however, this number is higher for athletes and active people (hello, yogis!). And if you're a fan of Bikram or Hot yoga, you'll be sweating out even more water. So drink up!
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