Eat organic for The Dirty Dozen: The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 refer to the fruits and vegetables that are the most and least contaminated by pesticide use (according to the Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org). The Dirty Dozen: apples, celery, sweet bell peppers, peaches, strawberries, nectarines, grapes, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, blueberries and potatoes.
Eat more of The Clean 15: onions, sweet corn, pineapples, avocado, cabbage, sweet peas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, kiwi, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, grapefruit, watermelon and mushrooms.
Drink more water: Water can help to flush out your system naturally and contributes to clearer skin, properly functioning organs, and a more effective circulatory, respiratory, and digestive system.
Increase green tea: Green tea offers important antioxidants that our body needs and helps with detox.
Eat more fibre: Fibre not only contributes to weight loss (through better elimination), but is also an essential way of cleansing the body. Our digestive tracts tend to hold onto toxins and waste that is not being properly disposed of by the body with the end result of bloat and fatigue. When you introduce good fibre (fresh fruit and veg, beans, legumes and whole grains) into your diet, it helps to keep the digestive tract working properly which means that toxins and excessive waste will move through rapidly.
Use probiotics to get rid of bad bacteria: In its natural form, probiotics are good bacteria that help to regulate the balance of organisms especially in the digestive system where harmful bacteria can grow. Certain foods are good probiotics e.g. Kombucha tea, yoghurt, soy milk, dark chocolate, tempeh, sauerkraut, miso soup and olives and you can also find them in supplement form.
Replace the morning coffee with hot water and lemon: Kick-start your morning with hot water plus a slice of lemon to cleanse the liver and improve your skin.
Incorporate superfoods into each meal: Superfoods contain important nutrients and antioxidants which our bodies need to fight off infections e.g.: salmon, tuna, avocado, walnuts, almonds, olive oil and flax seeds. Fruits and vegetables that are bright in color means that they contain antioxidants: blueberries, raspberries, spinach, kale, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, oranges and butternut squash.
Cut out simple carbohydrates, white sugar and flour, and any fried foods: Products made with white sugar or flour can result in toxins in the body. They make you feel full when eating them, but then comes a surge and fall of your blood sugar levels. These products can be a major component for the toxins that build up in your digestive system.
Opt for a diet rich in whole foods that are free of additives and preservatives: Though you may be getting fewer calories and fat with pre-packed foods, their ingredients can build up in your intestines as toxins over time. Get rid of them and you begin to cleanse your system instantly.
Turn to natural herbs: Some of the herbs that offer great cleansing in the body include: dandelion, turmeric, milk thistle and cypress. If you are not sure about herbs, consult a professional herbalist.
Listen to your body: Symptoms that we tend to take for granted as everyday ailments can often be indicative of the fact that our bodies are holding onto toxins. If you are having frequent headaches, stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, feel exhausted, experience cramping, difficulty focusing, lack of energy, or any other symptoms that don’t feel right, that is the time to take action for a detox.