What should I eat if I want to detox?
With the new year upon us, many people make resolutions to eat healthier, lose weight, and detox their bodies. Detoxing can help rid your body of harmful toxins, improve digestion, boost energy levels, and promote overall health. While there are many different detox plans out there, most nutritionists recommend filling your diet with whole, unprocessed foods as the best way to detox.
Why Detox?
Detoxification is the process of removing toxins from the body. Toxins can build up from poor diet, environmental pollutants, stress, lack of sleep, and other factors. Some potential symptoms of toxin overload include:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Skin issues like acne and rashes
- Digestive problems like bloating and constipation
- Hormonal imbalances
- Congestion and coughs
- Muscle aches and joint pain
Detoxing can help alleviate these symptoms by giving your overburdened detoxification systems a break. Your liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, and colon all work together to eliminate wastes and toxins from the body. Going on a detox diet full of nutritious whole foods can optimize these organs’ ability to do their job.
Top Detox Foods
Here are some of the best foods to eat on a detox diet:
1. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like kale, spinach, chard, lettuce, and collard greens are loaded with antioxidants and fiber to pull toxins from the digestive tract. They also provide chlorophyll to help the liver detoxify heavy metals like mercury. Aim for at least 2-3 servings per day.
2. Cruciferous Veggies
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain sulfur compounds that support natural detoxification in the liver. Try roasting or steaming cruciferous veggies and aim for 1-2 servings daily.
3. berries
Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are rich in antioxidants called flavonoids that promote detoxification and protect cells from damage. Eat a bowl of mixed berries for breakfast or a snack throughout the day.
4. Lemons
Lemons support detoxification through an antioxidant called d-limonene and by promoting the production of glutathione, the “master antioxidant” made in the liver. Squeeze fresh lemon into your water or over salads and seafood.
5. Garlic
Garlic contains sulfur compounds that help the liver detoxify heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Use fresh garlic in cooking, salad dressings, sauces, and dips. Let chopped garlic sit for 10-15 minutes before cooking to activate its beneficial compounds.
6. Walnuts
Walnuts are high in amino acid cysteine, which is crucial for glutathione production in the liver. Add walnuts to salads, yogurt, oatmeal, or make homemade trail mix. About 1/4 cup per day is a good amount.
7. Green Tea
Green tea is packed with antioxidants called catechins that increase liver detoxification enzymes and protect liver cells from damage. Sip on organic green tea throughout the day.
8. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds provide fiber for bowel regularity plus lignans that are metabolized by gut bacteria into compounds that protect the liver and digestive tract. Sprinkle ground flax over cereals, yogurt, and salads.
9. Beets
Beets and beet juice are rich in phytonutrients called betalains that help the liver detoxify and increase the production of glutathione. Blend beets into smoothies or roast and add to salads.
10. Turmeric
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, enhances detoxification enzymes, protects the liver and DNA from toxic damage, and boosts bile flow. Use with black pepper to increase absorption.
Foods to Avoid
On a detox diet, you’ll also want to avoid certain foods that can tax your detox organs or interfere with natural detoxification. These include:
- Added sugars
- Fried foods and trans fats
- Refined grains
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Processed foods with additives
Focus on whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible when detoxing. Read ingredient labels carefully and opt for organic when you can.
Detox Meal Plan
Here is a sample one day detox meal plan incorporating the best detox foods:
| Meal | Foods |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Green smoothie made with spinach, kale, lemon, banana, flaxseeds, and almond milk |
| Snack | Handful of walnuts |
| Lunch | Mixed greens salad with broccoli, avocado, beets, and fresh lemon juice dressing |
| Snack | Berry smoothie with blueberries, strawberries, and almond milk |
| Dinner | Grilled salmon over sautéed kale and garlic, with roasted brussels sprouts on the side |
Focus on getting plenty of greens, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats from whole food sources. Stay hydrated by drinking lemon water, herbal tea, or vegetable juices. Limit caffeine and alcohol while detoxing.
Other Detoxification Tips
In addition to filling your diet with whole, nutrient-dense foods, here are some other tips to boost your detox:
- Exercise regularly – Sweating helps eliminate toxins through the skin.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of filtered water to flush out toxins.
- Reduce stress – Try yoga, meditation, massage, or other relaxation techniques.
- Get enough sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours per night to let the body detoxify.
- Take probiotics – Healthy gut flora aids detoxification.
- Use green household cleaners – Reduce toxin exposure in your home.
- Ventilate your home – Let in fresh air to dilute indoor pollutants.
Ready to Detox?
The new year is a perfect time to hit the reset button and start fresh.
Detoxing with a nutrient-dense diet full of leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, berries, lemons, garlic, nuts, seeds, and healthy teas and juices can help remove accumulated toxins so you feel lighter, clearer, and more energized. Pair your detox diet with exercise, stress relief, and other healthy habits for full mind-body rejuvenation. Here’s to a happy, healthy 2023!
