Detoxification diet
A detoxification diet is similar to a liver cleansing diet in
that it rids the body of built-up toxins and replaces them with
nutrients.
that it rids the body of built-up toxins and replaces them with
nutrients.
Extreme restrictive dietary behavior (eg. a fluid-only diet or
limiting the diet to only eating fruit and vegetables) can be
dangerous to your health over a prolonged period. These regimes do
not only scrimp on calories but also many of the nutrients
necessary for good health. As a result, mineral and vitamin
deficiencies can occur.
limiting the diet to only eating fruit and vegetables) can be
dangerous to your health over a prolonged period. These regimes do
not only scrimp on calories but also many of the nutrients
necessary for good health. As a result, mineral and vitamin
deficiencies can occur.
An extreme detoxification diet is not advisable generally and
particularly if you are:
particularly if you are:
- Pregnant and/or breast feeding
- Already on a diet supervised by a qualified health
professional - Underweight
- Suffering from psychological complaints or an eating
disorder.
The detoxification diet
Include:
- At least 2 litres of water per day
- All fresh fruit
- All fresh vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions
and garlic are particularly good) - Rice – brown, basmati, rice cakes, rice crackers, rice
milk - Natural yoghurt
- Oats
- Beans
- Fresh fish
- Unsalted nuts and seeds
- A little virgin olive oil
- Teas – herbal, green and non-caffeinated only
- Spices, herbs, vinegar, garlic, ginger and a little honey to
add flavour to meals.
Exclude:
- Red meat, chicken, processed meats, sausages, bacon,
pâté - Milk, cheese, eggs, butter
- Alcohol, coffee, soft drinks
- Confectionary
- Products containing wheat (eg. bread)
- Sauces, pickles
- Battered and bread-crumbed food
- High-fat (particularly saturated fats), processed and highly
refined foods.
Sample one-day diet
Breakfast
Large glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice
Bowl of fresh berry fruit salad with natural yoghurt and
sprinkling of oats and seeds
sprinkling of oats and seeds
Snack
Glass of fresh fruit juice (diluted with 50 per cent
water)
water)
Small portion of unsalted nuts
1 banana
Lunch
Bowl of homemade vegetable soup (see recipe below)
Rice cakes
Glass of water
Afternoon tea
Homemade tzatziki dip (natural yoghurt, garlic, cucumber and
lemon juice) and raw vegetable sticks (eg. carrots, celery)
lemon juice) and raw vegetable sticks (eg. carrots, celery)
Rice crackers
Cup of herbal tea
Dinner
Baked salmon steak with lemon juice and coriander
Baked potato in jacket
Stir-fry vegetables with a little extra virgin olive oil,
ginger and garlic
ginger and garlic
Piece of fresh fruit
Glass of water
Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Please note: Due to the dietary restrictions discussed above,
a detox program should never extend beyond one week without
medical/healthcare professional supervision.
a detox program should never extend beyond one week without
medical/healthcare professional supervision.
Recipe
Lentil vegetable soup
1 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 small onion
2 carrots
2 sticks of celery
½ cup brown lentils
250 g tomatoes
Chopped parsley
Bay leaf
Water
Heat oil in a pan and add garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Stir
in lentils, water, bay leaf, chopped tomatoes. Bring to boil and
simmer for approximately 1.5 hours. Discard bay leaf, add chopped
parsley and serve.
in lentils, water, bay leaf, chopped tomatoes. Bring to boil and
simmer for approximately 1.5 hours. Discard bay leaf, add chopped
parsley and serve.