THE 3-DAY DETOX PLAN
This plan will drop you anywhere up to 3kg, leave you feeling less bloated and your skin will glow too!
There’s no substitute for a balanced diet and regular exercise if you want to achieve optimum health. But sometimes we all need a kick-start to get our bodies back in gear. Whether you overdid it at the weekend or you’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with sweet treats, or you simply want to reboot your healthy habits, a quick cleanse is the perfect way to spring-clean your body.
In excess, sugar, bad fats and salt can leave you feeling bloated, sluggish and grumpy, prompting you to pack on the kilos and leaving your complexion looking weary. There are also more serious effects: it’s thought that stressing out your organs can increase the risk of autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalance, allergies and depression.
Committing to a detox may seem like a lot of time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. In fact, the results of tucking into a clean diet are amazing. Research by Harvard University in the US reveals that upping the amount of fruit and veggies in your diet over time can slash the risk of certain types of cancer and protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Plus, if you follow our three-day detox, you’ll drop anywhere up to 3kg, feel less bloated and your skin will get that gorgeous glow back. You’ll also be brimming with energy and feel focused and happy – what’s not to like?
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
What exactly is a detox? The body has many different channels of elimination: the skin and liver, which are the body’s largest organs, as well as the lymph, lungs, colon and kidneys. These organs are primed to get rid of toxins on every day. Chemicals and other nasties we eat or breathe enter the bloodstream and are broken down and filtered. It sounds simple, but the process is complex. Just like an old car that keeps breaking down, when they’re overworked these organs don’t function efficiently. Our system becomes clogged up as toxins get stored in our cells, igniting symptoms like candida, acne, weight gain and more. All these symptoms are your body’s way of crying out for help. It needs a holiday.
It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat it. Gulping down food without chewing, or eating on the go can also put a strain on your digestive system. Detoxing gives these organs and your entire digestive system a break so it can renew and repair. Supporting your body with a range of fruits, vegetables and healthy foods in their natural state also provides your body with the nutrients it really needs.
THE PLAN
Day 1 1 cup green tea 1 cup water
1T flax seeds 1 cup raspberries 1 banana 2T lemon juice Have the green tea first thing in the morning, then blend all ingredients into a smoothie. Drink it immediately.
What to expect: You’ll pass a normal bowel movement, since it takes up to 72 hours for food to travel through the digestive system. You will probably experience food cravings, feel sluggish, nauseous and grumpy as your brain isn’t getting as much glucose as usual.
Day2
1 cup green tea 4 celery stalks 1 cup kale, chopped 1 cucumber, chopped ½ green apple, chopped 1T coconut oil
½ almond milk 1 cup pineapple juice Drink the green tea first thing in the morning, followed by your normal breakfast meal. Blend all ingredients into a smoothie and have it for lunch.
What to expect: No doubt you’ll experience intense food cravings for more solid food, and hunger pangs will kick in. You’ll also feel more tired than usual and, if you’re a sugar or coffee addict, you’ll experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches. Your bowel movements will be softer than usual and you should be prepared for a few extra trips to the loo!
Day3
1 cup green tea
½ mango 1 cup blueberries 1 cup kale 1T lemon juice avocado cayenne pepper flax seeds Take your green tea first thing in the morning, then blend all ingredients into a smoothie. Drink immediately. What to expect: It’s likely you’ll feel less bloated and have more energy. Your body isn’t expending as much energy doing its normal job, so there’s more energy available. You’ll still experience some withdrawal symptoms, but these will be less intense. So expect to be revitalised, full of energy, and have a renewed zest for life. You’ll have lost weight, have more focus and your complexion will glow. Yes, it was worth it!
SUPERCHARGE YOUR RESULTS
The aim of a good detox or cleanse is to get your body back to that natural alkaline state so that everything can work as efficiently as possible. Chamomile and lemon balm can also have powerful calming effects on the nervous system.
There are all sorts of detox diets out there, but our short-term food-based plan combines nutrient-packed juices to reduce the digestive burden on your system and achieve serious results, fast.
The inclusion of liquidised raw fruits and vegetables provides your body with water, enzymes and a readily available injection of plant-based nutrients, such as antioxidants, which are important for helping to stave off disease and resetting your body’s natural equilibrium.
An effective detox will also help to eliminate any diet stressors, such as cigarettes, caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks and all processed foods. You should aim to cut these out no less than five days before your detox begins to help you to get the best results you possibly can.
Signs of detoxing generally include nausea, flu-like symptoms and headaches, which occur as your body removes toxins that have been trapped inside for months.
Don’t feel discouraged if you experience these systems. This is all normal and, in fact, feeling a little worse is a sign that the cleanse is working. But take it easy while you’re detoxing. Now is definitely not the time to hit the gym for an intense workout session. Relax at home and let the magic of the detox do its thing.