What to eat, do and avoid to give yourself a health boost with a week-long detox plan
Detoxing has many health benefits: it can enhance your energy levels, aid weight loss, clear the skin and improve digestion. January is a great time to give your body a clean and rest after the Christmas binge, but a seven-day detox at any time of year can help get things back on track if you're feeling a bit under the weather, or want to kickstart weightloss, before a holiday, for example.
Follow these rules for a general week-long detox, from nutritionist and co-founder of MyDetoxDiet Ilona Wesle:
- Avoid black tea, coffee and alcohol. Instead drink herbal tea. Nettle tea is great at supporting the kidneys, or try MyDetoxDiet's 7x7 tea to cleanse the liver
- Drink at least 1 litre of water per day - ideally more. Keep a bottle by your desk and sip regularly - you'll be amazed how easy it is if you drink little and often
- Drink fresh juices. For example, carrot, beetroot, apple and cucumber juice, which are all both nourishing and cleansing
- Avoid processed foods. Steer clear of all ready meals, savoury snacks and biscuits. Aim to eat only food in its natural state. Cook it by steaming, lightly boiling or poaching, to retain as many nutrients as possible and full flavour.
- Choose organic food in order to minimize your intake of toxic pesticides. Even if you can't make every item organic, do the best you can - it will make a difference
- Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day - ideally more. At lunchtime and for dinner, aim to cover at least 60% of your plate with vegetables and eat as much variety as possible
- Cut down on animal products. Avoid dairy and replace milk with soya or nut milks. Lentils, beans, quinoa, seeds and nuts are good protein alternatives
- Look after yourself. Support the detox process by getting a good night's sleep, trying yoga or Pilates, treating yourself to a massage or infrared dome session (in order to sweat out the toxins) and exercising regularly.
