A detox program aims to cleanse toxins that we accumulate when we take medication or eat processed food, or when we're exposed to various types of pollutants and stress. During a detox program, you give your body a chance to recover and eliminate toxins.
"Think of a detox program as a mini-vacation for your body – it gives you energy to cope with the rest of the year"
Many of the toxins found in the body are formed in the gut. If they're not eliminated, they can leak into the bloodstream and burden the rest of the body – that is, all cells and organs.Signs of imbalance in the gut and intestinal lining can include fatigue, swelling, inflammation, joint and muscle pain, stiffness, headaches, itching, digestive problems, allergies, hypersensitivity, bad breath, foul-smelling sweat and stool, as well as various types of skin problems.
Consider detox when you feel stiff and creaking joints in the morning, or feel tired and sluggish, or "bloated" in the stomach, or have poor skin. After summer vacation, a detox can be beneficial. As well as after Christmas and New Year.
1. Eat healthy food during detox
Water
Drink 2 liters of water per day, preferably with added magnesium.
Organic vegetables
Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, beetroot, and artichokes.
Raw food
Raw food has experienced a renaissance today with access to new, exciting foods and good recipes. You can find plenty of raw food recipes online.
Fruit
Fruit is fine if you don't have an excess of candida or diabetes. However, keep in mind that bananas and dried fruit contain fast carbohydrates which you should avoid.
Berries
All types of berries are fine to eat.
Nuts
Eat plenty of nuts, seeds, and kernels (melon seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, and more).
Healthy fats
Enjoy cold-pressed flaxseed oil, olive oil, avocado, and coconut oil.
Herbs
Various types of spices and herbs are great detox foods, for example garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, cayenne pepper, basil, sage, thyme.
Fiber supplements
Try psyllium husk or whole flaxseeds that have been soaked overnight.
Algae
Such as chlorella, spirulina, kelp, and wakame.
Wheatgrass and barley grass
Wheatgrass improves digestion and nutrient absorption. It increases blood circulation and the body's natural detoxification.
2. Avoid unhealthy foods
All refined foods
This includes all ready-made and semi-prepared foods.
Fast carbohydrates
All fast carbohydrates from bread, pasta, sugar, chocolate (raw cacao is fine), juice, soft drinks, ice cream, candy, breakfast cereals. If you have candida, you should also be careful with fruit.
Coffee
Prepare for your detox program by reducing coffee a couple of days in advance, as you may experience headaches and withdrawal symptoms if you stop coffee too quickly. Drink herbal tea and green tea instead.
Alcohol and tobacco
Avoid all types of tobacco as it depletes the body's reserves.
Dairy products
Remove all dairy products!
Gluten
Avoid foods containing gluten, namely wheat, barley, and rye.
Red meat
Also eat less protein. Avoid red meat above all.
3. Exercise and rest
Exercise lightly. Walks and yoga are good. When you exercise, you lubricate joints and muscles and eliminate toxins.
Sweating, for example in a sauna (not dry sauna), is also a natural and effective detox. Dry brushing is also beneficial.
Last but not least, rest and relax as much as you can. When we rest and sleep, we give the body a chance to recover and repair itself.
4. Maintain habits after detox
Try to maintain your new, healthy eating habits as much as possible. If you want to reintroduce foods you've missed, do so carefully and gradually so you don't stress the body too much.
When you feel good, it's all too easy to forget how you felt before.
14-day guide with recipes and shopping list
Feel like giving it a try? A 14-day detox program can work wonders. To make it simple, you can follow a program with ready-made recipes.
We recommend Holistics proven detox program.
Podcast tips for detox
In Holistics podcast "Health comes from within" there's a nutritious episode that you simply must listen to.
You can find Health comes from within on podcast platforms like Spotify or on Holistics website.
