Do The Detox
A complete body cleanse is a matter of steely resolve. Are you up for the challenge?
Acomplete detox is one of those promises that you make to yourself on New Year’s Eve. It can also be a passing phase in college, or a week right before your blockbuster wedding. Either way, it’s not something most of us, with our 14- hour work days, stiff deadlines and comfort food binges, can handle for an extended period of time. We may start with the best intentions, read about which Hollywood celebrity did the latest “juice cleanse” and even try it for a day or two; but sooner than later we find our resolve break, usually with the most calorie- laden snack on the menu.
Without a regular and holistic cleanse however, the mind and body begins to crumble under the weight of the city’s toxins. From pollutants in the air, to chemical shampoos and even grocery stores stocked with processed foods, eliminating toxins from our daily lives is a matter of steady resolve. Most detox diets are structured around the two Fs— fluid and fibre— that step up your flushing- out process. While detoxification is a basic bodily function, irregular lifestyles and poor eating habits have done much to disturb this process.
Going raw while on a detox diet is tough love for the soul, but the results can make you feel like a whole new person. It’s important though that a good detox routine is undertaken with care. We’ll tell you how.
EASE IN
A detox cycle is like learning to ride a bike— you have to start slow. It’s not advisable to cut out solids immediately and depend only on fluids to get you through the day. For the first few days, ease the transition with porridge, fruit smoothies and nutritious broths. Follow this up with a two- day soup fast. Vegetables, legumes and cabbage may not be the most exciting combination but it’s the perfect way to start you off on cleansing the system. Fill yourself up at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a cup or two in between when you feel like snacking. TIP Ensure that the soup is enriched with fibre, vitamins and probiotics to prevent a dip in energy and the nutritive value of what you eat.
GO STEADY
It’s important to remember that a detox diet should not rid you of essential nutrients. Eating light and eating healthy aren’t mutually exclusive. Begin your day with yoghurt, fruit and oatmeal and move onto juice for a mid- morning snack ( watermelon or orange). The rules of detox aren’t very different from weight- loss, where several small meals punctuate your day. Lunch should be a summer salad with dressing or raw/ steamed vegetables with a hung curd dip and glass of lemonade. Eggs, whole grains and raw nuts will fortify your diet. Make sure you get your fill of green tea— when you’re off dairy, it’s the only break you’re going to get during a long working day. Instead of red meat for dinner, try grilled fish and a tofu and bean salad with extra virgin olive oil. TIP The pace of our lives often reduces meals to five- minute interludes. When you’re on a detox, try and stretch your meal out. Relax your mind, chew slowly and really taste the food you’re eating.
EASE OUT
Just like you can’t rush into a detox cycle, it’s not advisable to abandon your diet all of a sudden. Re- introduce semisolids in to your meals like rice gruel, slow- cooked upma and make a gradual shift to your normal diet. Start off with a protein rich, low- fat plan initially. TIP Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugar. Eat yellow fruits rich in Vitamin C. Tempting, fatty foods should only make a staggered comeback. The trick behind a successful detox cycle is to flush out your desire for fatty food with the toxins. Think of it as a psychological cleanse.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT A A DETOX DIET SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH WEIGHT LOSS. IT LASTS ONLY A WEEK WHEREAS WEIGHT LOSS SHOULD BE A LIFE LONG GOAL.