If you’ve been feeling sluggish, having digestion issues or struggle to manage your weight, then you might be in need of a detox.
Many people have misconceptions about what a detox should be. It’s not about starving yourself, or only drinking water for a week, it’s about resting, cleansing and nourishing your body from the inside out.
Do some research before starting a detox and find out which method suits your needs best. And consult a healthcare practitioner before starting a detox if you have any health issues.
For some healthy foods to incorporate into your detox diet, check out these super cleansing snacks that are sure to leave you feeling your best.
1. Asparagus
Pop some asparagus on the grill and feel the almost instant cleansing effects. This speared vegetable is full of amino acids and minerals that protect your liver and cells against toxins. Often considered a vital ingredient in miracle hangover cures, asparagus is also a natural diuretic and aids in liver drainage, which is essential to clearing toxins from the body.
2. Artichoke
This leafy vegetable is a detox staple. Artichokes up your liver’s production of cynarin, the key to bile creation, which helps to break down foods and makes them easier for your liver to filter through.
3. Lemon
Slice up whole lemons and drop them into your water during your detox. This citrus stunner is not only a powerful antioxidant, it has a compound in the peel that stimulates liver enzymes, making them water-soluble and easier to flush out of your system. Plus, lemon’s sweet but sour taste makes water super drinkable, which helps you down that two quarts a day during your detox with ease.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric has long been used in India as a delicious spice and miracle medicine for almost any ailment. It’s not necessarily turmeric that’s going to cleanse your system, it’s what’s inside: curcumin. Curcumin is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties that many consider better than medication, and without any negative side effects.
5. Beets
We’re pretty sure what Michael Jackson really meant was “just beet it.” This fibre-filled root is a blood purifier, liver cleanser, and can boost your cellular intake of oxygen. That last quality is what makes beets a true detox superstar. Many detox foods round toxins up, but don’t 100 percent get them out of your system. Beets support the total eradication of toxins, so you don’t end up trying to take one step forward and ending up two steps back.
6. Ginger
There are multiple ways to get ginger in your system as you detox. Use it as a spice, chew on the root or add it to your water. Whatever method you prefer, don’t skimp on this disease-fighting food. Ginger can help spike your metabolism and flush waste.
7. Cabbage
Similar to beets, cabbage helps make sure that toxins fully leave your body during a detox, except this leafy food does it by motivating your bowels. Cabbage also helps cleanse your liver and boosts DNA cell repair, while being a great source of fibre. I’d probably leave out the corned beef and mashed potatoes for now, but try a crisp cabbage salad with walnuts and apples instead!
8. Garlic
Besides keeping vampires away, garlic keeps the doctor away too! A great antioxidant, garlic is known to boost your immune system and help heal the body, making it ideal for nourishing your frame during and after your detox. The body also won’t develop a tolerance to garlic, so it’s just as effective healing your body whether you use it once a month, or every day. All the more reason to include this flavourful bulb in every dish.
9. Avocados
The benefits from avocados are endless. Packed with antioxidants, this fatty fruit supports healthy cholesterol levels and can dilate blood vessels while blocking artery-destroying toxins, promoting healthy circulation. Avocados also contain glutathione, which has been found to block at least 30 different carcinogens while helping the liver detox synthetic chemicals. So whip up some guacamole and make avocados a daily food habit.
10. Parsley
Parsley helps the digestive tract and helps to control cholesterol levels however it comes to its strength by assisting in detoxifying the body of harmful toxins.
Some honourable mentions that we couldn’t fit onto this list include:
- Green
- Spirulina
- Kale
- Cinnamon
Remember that your body isn’t the only thing that needs an occasional detox. When you’re cleansing, take the time to also clean out your home of toxic chemicals such as cleansers, shampoos and deodorants, and choose natural alternatives to get the full healing effect of your detox.
And if you’re in need of natural, clean living products free from harmful ingredients then Modere can always help!
First published on The Latest on Modere.com
Sources
http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/10-Detox-Foods-6856184?stream_view=1#photo-6857581
https://www.yahoo.com/health/8-best-foods-for-instant-detox-105989828473.html
http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/12464-36-foods-that-help-detox-and-cleanse-your-entire-body.html
http://life.gaiam.com/article/10-ways-detoxify-your-body
http://www.detoxsafely.org/7-day-detox-miracle.html