Cleansing your system of toxins that have accumulated in your tissues is a great way to get back in touch with how good you can feel by eating fresh fruit and vegetables. If you have been put off detox diets because of their length you will probably be able to manage this 3 day detox diet.
Toxins are all around
There is no getting away from it. Toxins are all around us. They are in your home, the food you eat, the water you drink, the air you breathe, the things you put on your skin. What’s more they get into your tissues and build up damaging your cells and organs.
Once in a while it’s a good idea to to stop and look at what you can do do reduce this load and help your body get rid of the toxic chemicals. They contribute to your health problems and symptoms. A 3 day detox can start you on the continual journey of changing towards a healthier and more chemical free lifestyle.
Juicing vegetables is a great way to flood your body with nutrients that help force the toxins out of your cells. Juices need very little if any digestion and give your digestive system a rest.
Take a break
A detox is a good way of giving yourself a break from the internal and external stresses that you encounter every day. As well as cutting out processed food and refined foods, coffee and alcohol it’s essential that you try to also avoid all stresses.
Prepare for the 3 day detox
Plan to do the detox when you are not working or have any social commitments. Do it over a long weekend if you can so you can rest and relax.
Start the count down two weeks or more before you plan to do the detox. Gradually wean yourself off coffee, caffeinated and fizzy drinks, processed, sugary and junk foods, fatty meat, microwave and other ready meals.
Start to eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, fresh juices and green smoothies to prepare your body.
Make a list of everything you will need for the 3 day detox and buy everything before you start. Choose organic where you can. They will be free of chemical residues that are often on conventionally grown produce.
Get out that book that you have been meaning to read and find some relaxing music. Gather together essential oils for a long relaxing bath or Epsom Salts to help with the detox.
Do not attempt the detox if you are pregnant, breast feeding, very frail or underweight. If you have any serious illness you should take the advice of a doctor or other practitioner who is experienced in detoxification programs.
There are many plans for 3 day detox diets but this one is suitable for spring and early summer when the new seasons vegetables and fruit are plentiful.
3 Day Detox Diet
Make sure your bowels are moving well before you start the detox. Take 1 – 2 tablespoons whole or freshly ground linseeds every morning. Continue to take them during the 3 day detox if necessary.
Day 1
First thing: Drink an 8 oz glass of room temperature water with 1 – 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Breakfast: Eat enough raw fruit to satisfy your appetite. Choose from apples, mango, melon, grapes, peaches, kiwi fruit, pears. Avoid bananas and oranges and dried fruit.
Mid morning: drink herb tea, fresh vegetable juice, or a cup of potassium broth. (Recipe below) Add a teaspoonful or 2 of your favorite green food to the juice if you want.
Lunch: Eat a vegetable salad. Choose from lettuce, other green leaves, cucumber, celery, beet, carrots, hard cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, radish, fennel and dress with a little virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Add some garlic if you like it.
Mid afternoon: Drink herb tea, fresh vegetable juice, or a cup of potassium broth.
Evening meal: Mixed vegetable salad with a little dressing as lunch.
Day 2
Drink only fresh vegetable juices, potassium broth and pure water. Aim to drink at least 6 – 8 glasses. Choose from green leaves, carrots, beets, celery, asparagus, cucumber, radish. You can use an apple to sweeten the juices. Potassium broth recipe below.
Day 3
As day 2, but you can add a small portion of steamed vegetables to the evening meal. Try broccoli or cauliflower.
Rest of the week
Gradually ease back onto more foods such as live yogurt, oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa or millet, steamed vegetables, beans and lentils and some organic chicken or turkey.
Potassium Broth
There are a number of recipes for this. The basic idea is to simmer the vegetables long enough to draw out the potassium and other minerals so that you have a mineral rich liquid to help the body cleanse. It does not have to be exact. Try to use organic vegetables. Make it to your taste.
2 large potatoes unpeeled
8 oz carrots
8 oz beet (beetroot)
8 ox celery with leaves
Dark greens
1 onion chopped
Place all vegetables in large saucepan. Add 3 pints water or enough bring to the boil, to cover vegetables, bring to boil, put on lid and simmer gently for 1 hour. Strain and drink only the broth.
Put the vegetables in your compost. Broth can be stored in the fridge for 2 days.
Dreamy Summer Detox Juice
1 large apple
1 slice organic lemon with rind on
2 inch chunk cucumber
2 sticks celery
grated ginger to taste
Juice all the ingredients together and drink immediately sipping slowly.
Pick me up Detox Juice
1/2 small beet (beetroot)or 1/4 large
2 celery sticks
2 carrots
juice of half a lemon
1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
pinch turmeric
Put vegetables through a juicer. Add turmeric and lemon juice and mix well.
Drink immediately but sip slowly and enjoy.
Support the detox process
- You can help the detox by doing some skin brushing every morning to improve lymph circulation
- Get a massage if you can.
- Take some exercise every day. Go for a walk in a nature area, swim in a non chlorinated pool or do some rebounding on a mini trampoline.
- Do some deep breathing exercises twice a day.
- Do some yoga or T’ai Chi
- Relax in a comfortably warm bath with a few drops of your favorite essential oil or have an Epsom salt bath.
Detox reactions
You could get some withdrawal symptoms from caffeine if you usually drink a lot of coffee or caffeinated drinks and have not spent long enough reducing them gradually. You may get a few detox reactions such as headache, muscular aches, bad breath, altered bowel movements, feeling tired. spots and mood swings. Try to avoid taking any pain killers. Just stick with the plan and they should soon disappear.
A 3 day detox is not a miracle cure but you should feel more energized and refreshed and some minor ailments may improve. Use the detox a spring board to a healthier diet and way of life. Do another 3 day detox next month. Commit to a longer detox next time for even more benefits.
Its very good detox tips, ill try..thx