Have you been considering doing a detox this summer? Of the thought of a detox or cleanse conjures up images of juice fasts and liquid diets, you have got it all wrong, my friend. A true detox will help reset your body by eliminating the worst offenders from your diet, while you nourish yourself with plenty of delicious foods.
Why Should You Detox, Anyways?
There are lots of reasons that a summer detox could be right for you. Maybe you can’t seem to lose weight and keep it off. Maybe you have uncontrollable cravings for sugars, carbs, and processed foods. Maybe you just don’t feel fantastic all of the time: tired, achy, headachy, allergies, brain fog, acne, digestive issues, or a severe reliance on coffee to get you through your day. Maybe you should try a detox simply because you’ve never done one before!
You can start to experience the benefits of a detox in as little as five days this summer if you just follow this plan.
Eliminate Sugar
Dr. Mark Hyman knows a thing or two about detox and sugar cravings. “Stop all forms of sugar, all flour products and all artificial sweeteners. They all cause increased cravings and slow metabolism, and lead to fat storage,” says Dr. Hyman. Your morning latte can have even more sugar than a can of soda, causing you to eat more all day and store more belly fat. Your goal for these five days is a complete detox from sugar.
Eliminate Refined Carbs and Grains
Pasta, cereals, and other grain-based refined carbohydrates can often impact your blood sugar in the same way as sugar. Grains, like wheat, can also have inflammatory reactions for some people. This is why grains and refined carbs are not allowed on the Whole 30program, a 30 day whole food detox plan, and avoided on most Paleo diets. For your five day summer detox plan, these carbs are off the table, as well.
Eliminate Processed Foods
If it comes in a box, a bag, or has an expiration date longer than your last relationship, you need to ditch it during your detox. Processed foods typically have a long list of additives that are meant to stimulate you into craving more of that food. MSG, artificial flavors, trans fat… the only foods you should eat during your five day detox are real foods without ingredient lists.
Eat Protein
Protein balances blood sugar and insulin, helps keep you full, boosts your metabolism, and reduces sugar cravings. Whole eggs, protein shakes, nuts, seeds, chicken, salmon, or grass-fed meat should be a part of every one of your detox meals.
Eat Unlimited Veggies
Non-starchy vegetables are the perfect foods for your summer detox. Leafy greens like spinach and kale, crunchy cucumbers, bell peppers, and celery should fill your plate at every meal. Cucumbers are high in water which helps flush toxins from the body, and only have eight calories per serving. Brassica vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts and cauliflower, help your liver’s natural detoxification process in control.
Vegetables are a great source of fiber, which will help restore your digestive tract, and act as prebiotic “food” for the good bacteria in your gut. Eating more vegetables will also help fill you up. There is no reason for your detox to leave you hungry!
Eat More Fat
Your body needs fat. Indulge in healthy fats such as avocados, salmon, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, olives, nuts and seeds to keep you full and balance your blood sugar. You should have a healthy fat, protein, and variety of vegetables with every meal.
Can You Eat Eggs During A Detox Diet?
When planning on a detox diet, remember that the plan is to give our body the much needed rest. The aim is to feel lighter and more energized rather than feeling dull and snappy all the time.
Having eggs during this period means you are not depriving your body of the essential macronutrients. Eating eggs will keep your blood lipid profile in check. This also means that your healthy fats are high and unhealthy fats are low, a sign of your good health.
It is also a good source of powerful antioxidants.
And yes, eggs in your diet will increase your HDL and lower your LDL.
Treat Yourself with Fruit
If you are craving something sweet during your detox, treat yourself to the best fruits available this season. Raspberries and blueberries have both been found in studies to help with weight loss, and watermelon contains high amounts of citrulline that can help remove toxins from your body.
Benefits of Detox Water
This health elixir is a blessing in disguise for health conscious people. It works wonders if consumed the right way.
Some of the noticeable health benefits are:
- Improved gut health
- Healthy bowel movements
- Instant energy booster
- Aids in losing weight
The important aspect is to consume this magic potion early in the morning on an empty stomach. Also, it is highly recommended to take sips of it, at different intervals during the day.
What Is Cucumber Detox Water?
Water when infused with sliced cucumbers and juice of one lemon adds flavor to your regular water. Is it helpful? Yes, it is. During your detox diet plan, you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Such home-made flavored drinks help you in curbing your unhealthy cravings. It also contains antioxidants that help not only in cleansing but also weight loss and digestion.
Want to have a zesty and tangy drink? Why not add in sprigs of mint, some basil leaves, slices of pineapple and few crushed pieces of ginger. A super fun and beneficial way to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
Drink More Water
Your body needs water to flush out toxins during its own natural process of detoxification. You can help this process by staying hydrated during your five day detox with plenty of water. Not only does drinking plenty of water help you remove toxins from your body, it also helps with weight loss. Add lemon slices to your lemon for an extra boost of detoxification assistance; they help your kidneys and liver through the detox process.
Detox Body for Summer Beach Plan
As temperatures are soaring and the heat waves hitting our faces, it’s the right time to plan for a beach vacay.
But if you feel that your body is not ready to fit into the polka dot bikini you had purchased, then you can start toning your body.
The first step is to immediately cut down on fizzy drinks, artificial sugars and processed foods. Make sure to fuel your body with the right amount of nutrients that will keep you full and energized.
Fill up your diet with foods like sweet potatoes, bananas or squash as these are rich in potassium. You can also add lean proteins like fish or beans along with some quinoa or brown rice for one week. And if you feel hungry during your meal breaks, snack in tomatoes, kefir or dark chocolate.
Adding these foods in your diet plus a strength and cardio workouts will definitely give you the beach-body you desire!
What should I eat after a 5-day detox diet?
After a detox program is over, it is highly recommended to stick to organic food. Even if your taste buds are craving for a juicy meat burger or a big portion of mac and cheese, be careful.
Why?
Because your stomach is sensitive and can go into a complete shock.
After a detox plan, keep your body toxin free by eating real food. And avoid foods that are high in salt, sugar and the fats at all cost.
Here is a Meal-Plan to help you map out your post detox journey:
Day 1
Breakfast: Fruits like Blueberries, Strawberries or Watermelon
Lunch: Veggie soup made from green beans, spinach, pumpkin and beetroot
Snack: Baked sweet potato chips
Dinner: Steamed veggies with oats and avocado. You can add a juice of lemon to give that tangy taste.
Day 2
Breakfast: Fruits like 1 banana or cantaloupe
Lunch: Boiled sweet potatoes with avocado and natural peanut butter
Snack: Bowl of carrot, tomatoes and mushrooms
Dinner: Quinoa with green leafy salad sprinkled toasted nuts and lightly steamed vegetable soup
Day 3
Breakfast: Greek yoghurt with nuts
Lunch: Grilled salmon with spinach and boiled egg with slices of avocado and some diced mango
Snack: Chia seeds pudding with coconut milk and some fresh berries for flavor
Dinner: Roasted chicken with brown rice and a bowl of salad
Taking five days, or even longer, to give your body a complete reset can leave you feeling, and looking, your best. Cutting out the foods that can have a negative impact on your weight, digestion, and natural detoxification process, such as sugar, processed foods, and refined carbs, and eating more nourishing whole foods is a treat your body will thank you for. Just remember, detoxing means getting rid of toxins, so stay away from alcohol for the week. A slimmer waistline, less pounds on the scale, and glowing summer skin is just five days away.