Practical advice for detoxification and healthy eating

We all feel the need of a detoxification from time to time. This is especially true after a period of extreme indulgence. Like after the major holyday periods when we promise ourselves: never again will I ever eat that much. But we somehow forget that thought till the next holyday and binging period. Detoxification is a must and it must be done periodically.

What is detoxification and why is it useful?

I will start with a question: “I am convinced you clean your house from time to time, even weekly, but when was the last time when you cleaned your body?” Detoxification is the process of eliminating toxins and wastes that have accumulated in your body over time. It is a necessity for the modern human not a luxury because the living environment is full of toxic substances that get into out body thru the air we breathe, the food we eat and even the pills we take. Even our body produces metabolic toxic waste that must be flushed out of our bodies to keep our health and vitality. Our organism naturally flushes out a big chunk of these toxins but with time, because of diseases, unhealthy eating and other factors, the activity of our organism gets slower and toxin levels build up. The body just can’t keep up with all the toxic input and wear and tear that it has to suffer.

It is necessary to know our body and the dangers it is submitted daily

There are some symptoms that should trigger your alarm bells: tongue residues and deposits, bad breath, headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, lack of energy, negative thoughts, irritability, high blood pressure, bloating, constipation and other digestive problems.

How often should I detox?

Flushing out all the toxins form your body is a necessity after the holydays when we eat a lot. For a good health on the long run our body needs periodic detoxification at every season change or at least every 6 months, in the spring and autumn. The detox diet is also considered one of many bloating remedies.

What are the basic rules to follow for detoxification

While detoxing we must have the will to keep a strict diet based on liquids, raw foods and plant products especially created for this purpose (teas, tinctures, encapsulated herbs).

Unsupervised detoxification from a medic is not recommended for people that are affected by serious diseases or digestive diseases.

The golden rule is: drink a minimum of 2 liters (0.5 gallons) of water daily. Drink one glass of water with the juice from ½ lemon and one teaspoon of honey every night before sleep and in the morning when you wake up

For the detoxification of the liver drink every morning for 7-10 days on an empty stomach one spoon of virgin olive oil mixed with a little lemon juice and then lie down in bead on the right side for 20-30 minutes. I have tried this method and the effects are phenomenal. This is especially recommended for those that suffer from gallbladder affections.

Physical exercise, walking, sauna and massages stimulate the cardiovascular system and the metabolic processes from the body, increasing the natural functions of toxins elimination.

During the detox period it is possible to suffer some unwelcomed sensations like headaches, bad smelling sweat, ugly looking dumps, skin rashes, nausea. Hang in there. Your body is eliminating all toxins and wastes. After a couple of days you will feel wonderful.

Try for one day per week to eat only raw food. Do not eat cooked food. Eat only foods in their natural form like fruits, vegetables, natural juices, nuts, figs, raisins, plant infusions, water…

For maximum effects, during the detoxification complete the detoxification with natural products special created for the elimination of toxins from the body. If you have the will and desire a more extensive detoxification eat only raw foods for a minimum of 7 days.

What foods are recommended during detoxification

Raw fruit salads and sakes. Dried fruits like figs and raisins. Raw vegetable salads. Honey 1-2 spoons per day instead of sugar. Green tea instead of coffee for a quick energy boost. Homemade natural juices made from fruits and vegetables, plant infusions. Virgin olive oil mixed in the salads. Whole wheat cereals, whole wheat bread, nuts, uncooked eatable seeds, uncooked hazelnuts. Occasionally you can drink some yogurt.

What foods are not allowed during detoxification

Fried foods. Preserved or smoked foods. Foods that contain Es for coloring, preserving, and taste. Meat and cold cuts. Sweats. White bread and other foods based on white flour. Refined sugar, oil, coffee, alcohol and synthetic soft drinks. Do not drink tap water except if it is filtered.

What are the basic detoxification foods?

The basic detoxification foods are water, vegetables and fruits.

What should a balanced and healthy diet contain?

A balanced diet must contain all the nutritive substances necessary for the good operation of our bodies. This includes vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and water all of which are found in the following groups of foods:

-Fruits and vegetables: they contain vitamins, mineral salts, enzymes.

-Foods that contain proteins are: meats( fish, chicken, turkey, beef), mushrooms, dairies.

-Foods that contain carbohydrates are: whole wheat bread (1-3 loafs per day), rice, whole wheat cereals, honey.

-Between the meals you have to drink liquids: water, tea, natural juices.

What can’t miss form our daily/weekly meals

You have to eat a little form everything but you must eat daily at least one glass of natural juice homemade, 2-3 fruits between the meals, a raw vegetables salad and 1,5-2 liters of water. It is good to eat 2-3 times a week fish. And in the days without fish the protein intake can be realized by eating chicken or turkey meat or beef, mushrooms and low fat cheeses. Pick one day a week when you will eat light: no meats, no cold cuts, no fried foods. Eat 3-4 times a week dairies, especially yogurt. For a complete and balanced diet eat whole wheat bread, rice, whole wheat cereals. In the days when you eat rice there is no need to eat bread also.