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I have had a few requests from my subscribers for a natural detox diet. I believe they are looking for a detox diet that involves only natural food and no pills or potions.
There are a huge number of detox pills and colon cleanses on the market that claim to detox you in a weekend or 24 hours but they are the ones that bring the whole concept of detox into disrepute.
A detox helps remove toxins that have accumulated in the body over a number of years and it’s just not possible to get rid of them in a day or two.
There are, however, other detox supplements that have been specially formulated to help support the detox pathways and are taken for a longer period of time.
Whatever the sceptics would have you believe some people just do not eliminate toxins as well as others and they are the ones that have symptoms that cannot be improved by diet alone.
Researchers have shown that symptoms can be improved with a specifically designed detox diet and supplements.
A week or two on a good natural detox diet can make it easier for your body to eliminate stored toxins but some people need the extra support of nutrients to push slow detox pathways.
So as long as you keep that in mind let’s get on with a Natural Detox Diet Plan.
The best foods to eat for a natural detox diet are:
1.Vegetables
Detox diets will never be possible without the use of fiber and one of the best sources of fiber are vegetables. Fibers are natural “brooms” that sweep the colon clean. One of the ways that harmful chemicals are eliminated from your body is through the bile which is secreted by the liver into your digestive tract.
Adequate fiber is needed to help sweep it through the digestive tract as quickly as possible. If you are constipated or your bowels do not move regularly there is a danger that toxins can get reabsorbed into your body.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and turnips and are not only rich in fiber and are a great sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants but they contain substances that can help rev up the detox system.
You can juice them or blend them with fruit to make some tasty detox juices and green smoothies.
Best to eat a wide variety and rainbow of vegetables both raw and lightly cooked to get all the nutrients you can.
2. Fruits
Undeniably fruits are also a part of a natural detox diet plan. There are even proponents of the fruit detox diet where you have nothing but fruit and water for a given number of days. The 2 day apple detox diet is one example.
Fruit is a good cleanser and just like vegetables fruit is also rich in fiber. They are also great sources of vitamins and minerals that will help support the body during the cleansing stage.
Fruits are easy and refreshing to eat as they are and are handy to take along with you for a quick snack. You can of course juice them or blend them to make some tasty detox smoothies.
3. Grains
Whole grains can be used in a natural detox diet too but are not essential.
It’s best to stick to gluten free grains like millet, brown rice, amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa (a grain like seed).
If you are using grains it is best to combine them with beans and lentils to get the full range of amino acids that are needed for then detox system.
4. Seeds
Flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds and chia seeds are the most popular types of seeds that you find in most common natural diet plan.
Both Flax and Chia are useful to use to keep your bowels moving while you are detoxing.
You can grind up a tablespoon or two and add them to a smoothie or just sprinkle them over a bowl of fruit or salad.
5. Water
An indispensable part of any natural cleansing diet is pure water. Although it used to be the rule to drink 8 – 10 glasses of water each day if you eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, vegetable soups, juices and smoothies you will not need to drink as much plain water because they all contain water naturally.
Many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and tomatoes, are 90 % or more water by weight. An average diet will provide 20% of your daily water requirement but you will be eating more fruit and veg than the average person when you do a natural detox.
You can, in fact, have too much water. Some people have overdone the water and ended up with low blood sodium levels. That should not happen if you stick to no more than 8 – 10 x 8 oz glasses of water a day.
One of the biggest threats to our health is our toxic environment. By following a natural detox detox diet for concentrated periods you can boost your detox system to eliminate stored toxins. To keep your detox system functioning efficiently you will need to reduce your exposure to toxins as well as making sure you maximize your nutrient intake on a daily basis.
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