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Detox for Summer

23-Feb-2007 by Nisha

With summer coming up, it’s time to shake off the winter excesses and think about detoxing our bodies so that we can face summer feeling happy and with a healthy glow. So why do we need to detox anyway? Our bodies are continually loaded with toxins and detoxing helps the body to remove those toxins, helping you to lose weight, feel healthier and recover from any lingering health problems.

Some common sources of toxins include pollution, cigarette smoke, pesticides, alcohol, caffeine, and a diet lacking in nutrients. When toxins build up in the body, problems such as weight gain, poor skin, headaches, fatigue, bloating, lowered immunity and a feeling of general unwellness occur.

The Detox Diet

Undertaking a detox diet for a specified period of time is a great way to allow the body to remove toxins and get itself back into top working order. A detox diet isn’t necessarily about fasting, but rather eating whole, natural foods that have not been processed or altered artificially.

What to Avoid

On the detox diet, you should avoid the following:

All forms of sugar except those which are found naturally in fruit
Dairy products
Wheat products such as bread, biscuits, cakes and anything else containing wheat
Grains that contain gluten as some people are sensitive to it
Caffeine (green tea is a caffeine-free substitute with great health benefits if you can’t bear to go without your daily cup!)

It is also a good idea to avoid yeast, alcohol, chocolates, foods that are high in fat and foods that contain artificial colouring or preservatives.

What to Eat

There are still plenty of foods that you can eat on the detox diet, and with a few creative recipes, you won’t feel like you’re missing out at all! Here are some foods that you can eat as much of as you like:

Fresh fruits and vegetables (organic if possible)
Brown or basmati rice
Grains such as quinoa, amaranth, millet and buckwheat (can find these at health food stores)
Legumes and beans
Nuts and seeds – these should be unsalted and unseasoned where possible
Extra-virgin olive oil
Non-caffeinated herbal tea

The Importance of Water

Water is a vital component of the detox diet and eight glasses should be drunk every day, either warm or at room temperature. This is because water helps to remove waste from the bloodstream. To help boost the metabolism, add lemon to the water. While detoxing, you should not have a drink with your meals so that your body can focus on digestion. Thirst is also often mistaken for hunger, so if you feel hunger pangs coming on, try having a glass of water first to see if that helps.