Wednesday 4 August 2010

The internal clearout

Don't worry I'm not about to suggest you all go and have colonics! Today's blog is about detox!

There's a lot of negative media about detoxing; that it's at best ineffective and at worst dangerous, and for some of the extreme regimes out there I myself would question their safety. However it's pretty hard to argue with the benefits of the traditional elements of detox:
Avoiding toxic and unhealthy foods
Increasing fruit and vegetable and water intake

By reducing the toxic load and increasing antioxidant levels a detox can support liver function and give your liver and digestive system a well-needed rest. Detoxes are usually lower in calories and higher in nutrients than your regular diet, helping shift spare fat and may also cut out foods you are allergic to reducing water retention (one client who recently did my detox found her feet shrank - a not uncommon side effect that usually indicates cutting out a food your allergic/intolerant to).

Extreme regimes of liquid only fasts and fruit and veg only diets are pretty hard to stick to whilst carrying on with your job/day to day routine and should, in my opinion, only be done under the supervision of a qualified health professional. The detox I have formulated involves juicing and cutting out the usual culprits (see below) but also contains easy to prepare proper meals and snacks and enough carbs and protein to keep energy levels up and hanger pangs at bay (see below for my super-quick detox compliant snack). For a DIY detox I'd recommend Dr Joshi's holistic detox (book available on amazon).

Here are the foods I exclude from my detox, which it's worth everyone trying to cut down:
Caffeine
Cane sugar
Artificial sweeteners
Preservatives/additives/e-numbers
Wheat
Dairy (excluding natural bio yoghurt if definitely lactose tolerant)
Red meat
Alcohol
Vinegar
Salt intake should be reduced but not eliminated

Emilie's super-quick sardine snack:
Toast two slices of gluten free bread (I like genius bread or Honest bread which is available in some Waitrose)
In the meantime drain a 120g sardines in oil, a good source of omega 3 fats, (waitrose essential sardines in olive oil are my favourite) and mix thoroughly with 1 heaped tbsp tomato puree (rich in lycopene a potent antioxidant).
Spread on the two pieces of toast and sprinkle with a tiny pinch of solo low sodium salt
Grill for 5-10mins til slightly browned on top.

Enjoy on it's own as a quick breakfast or snack, or serve with a green salad for a light lunch. Great for kids too.
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