Detoxification Diet

DESCRIPTION

A detoxification diet is similar to a liver cleansing diet in that it rids the body of built-up toxins and replaces them with nutrients.

Extreme restrictive dietary behavior (eg. a fluid-only diet or limiting the diet to only eating fruit and vegetables) can be dangerous to your health over a prolonged period. These regimes do not only scrimp on calories but also many of the nutrients necessary for good health. As a result, mineral and vitamin deficiencies can occur.

An extreme detoxification diet is not advisable generally and particularly if you are:
-Pregnant and/or breast feeding
-Already on a diet supervised by a qualified health professional
-Underweight
-Suffering from psychological complaints or an eating disorder.

THE DETOXIFICATION DIET

Include:

-At least 2 litres of water per day
-All fresh fruit
-All fresh vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions and garlic are particularly good)
-Rice - brown, basmati, rice cakes, rice crackers, rice milk
-Natural yoghurt
-Oats
-Beans
-Fresh fish
-Unsalted nuts and seeds
-A little virgin olive oil
-Teas - herbal, green and non-caffeinated only
-Spices, herbs, vinegar, garlic, ginger and a little honey to add flavour to meals.

Exclude:

-Red meat, chicken, processed meats, sausages, bacon,
-Milk, cheese, eggs, butter
-Alcohol, coffee, soft drinks
-Confectionary
-Products containing wheat (eg. bread)
-Sauces, pickles
-Battered and bread-crumbed food
-High-fat (particularly saturated fats), processed and highly refined foods.

SAMPLE DAILY DIET

BREAKFAST

Large glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice
Bowl of fresh berry fruit salad with natural yoghurt and sprinkling of oats and seeds

SNACK

Glass of fresh fruit juice (diluted with 50 per cent water)
Small portion of unsalted nuts
1 banana

LUNCH

Bowl of homemade vegetable soup (see recipe below)
Rice cakes
Glass of water

AFTERNOON TEA

Homemade tzatziki dip (natural yoghurt, garlic, cucumber and lemon juice) and raw vegetable sticks (eg. carrots, celery)
Rice crackers
Cup of herbal tea

DINNER

Baked salmon steak with lemon juice and coriander
Baked potato in jacket
Stir-fry vegetables with a little extra virgin olive oil, ginger and garlic
Piece of fresh fruit
Glass of water

Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Please note: Due to the dietary restrictions discussed above, a detox program should never extend beyond one week without medical/healthcare professional supervision.

RECIPE - Lentil vegetable soup

1 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 small onion
2 carrots
2 sticks of celery
½ cup brown lentils
250 g tomatoes
Chopped parsley
Bay leaf
Water

Heat oil in a pan and add garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Stir in lentils, water, bay leaf, chopped tomatoes. Bring to boil and simmer for approximately 1.5 hours. Discard bay leaf, add chopped parsley and serve.

DISCLAIMER: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or naturopath before following any medical regimen to see whether it is safe and effective for you.