WHY DETOX? From Michael van Straten's "ORGANIC SUPER FOODS"c.1999 Octopus Publishing
As temperatures drop at certain times of the year, dark mornings and grey days may trigger "winter blues" to which we may respond by eating the irresistible heavier foods like puddings, chocolates and other calorie laden comfort foods. As the months go on and summer approaches we have added some soft layers to our bellies, our skin may be blotchy or pallid and the thought of beaches and skimpy clothing may fill us with apprehension. This is one of the times we may benefit from a detox and revitalise. You will get a great boost of vitality, raise your immunity and eliminate accumulated waste of months of bad eating or eating and drinking too much and not getting enough exercise. This is also the best time to turn to organic foods. You must take in only the purest of nutrients to guarantee your body a super healing boost to every cell and system!
FIRST A FAST
A short sharp fast is the best way to begin. The reason being 48 hours of a highly restricted food intake will starve unfriendly bacteria in your intestine. One of the results of which is headaches as they release toxins into your bloodstream, however drink plenty of fluids and they will go away and transport the toxins out of your system as well.
CONSUME IMMUNE BOOSTING FOODS
This is the next step. By consuming a large amount of immune boosting foods you increase your resistance to invading bacteria and viruses. Also reduce fat intake and increase complex carbohydrate portions gives your liver a rest and encourages your brain to produce more of its own "feel good" chemicals to fight fatigue and depression. Use half a tsp of Inliven probiotics at breakfast each day to add extra beneficial bacteria and to supercharge your immunity boosting.
AVOID MEAT
For a successful detox avoid meat and be sure to get lots of vitamin A,C and E, beta-carotene and minerals such as zinc and selenium to prevent heart disease and infections as well as cancer. Fresh organic garlic is highly beneficial. If cooking garlic, chop it and leave it rest for at least 10 minutes before adding as this preserves its highly protective chemicals.
EXERCISE
No matter what the weather, dress appropriately and make sure you get plenty of fresh air and daylight where possible. A brisk 20 minute walk 3 times a week will make all the difference.
A SEVEN DAY DETOX DIET
Be warned the first day is tough, headaches may occur but after that it's plain sailing.
DAY 1: 600 calories
A real fasting day, so choose a time when you can get plenty of rest. Breakfast,lunch,dinner: 1 glass unsweetened organic fruit or vegetable juice. 1 small carton of live low-fat natural yoghurt. Drink at least 5 pints of still mineral water or herbal teas(dont use milk, but you can add half a teaspoon of organic honey).
DAY 2: 1,200 calories
Standard Breakfast:(to eat throughout the week)
1 portion fresh fruit(vary throughout the week): apple, pear, mango, grape, pineapple or grapefruit. 2 slices of wholemeal toast spread with low-fat cottage cheese. 1 small carton of live low-fat yoghurt. A small glass of skimmed milk. A cup of herbal or weak Indian tea without milk or sugar.
Lunch: 1 kiwi fruit. 200g (7oz) mixed raw vegetable salad: a bed of lettuce filled with grated carrot, celeriac and raw beetroot, with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. 170g(6oz) of any steamed vegetables, sprinkled with a chopped garlic clove and a drizzle of olive oil. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
Dinner: 60g(2oz) organic berries in 120 g(4oz) unsweetened organic muesli mixed with the juice of an orange and a small carton of live low-fat yoghurt. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
DAY 3: 1,100 calories
Standard Breakfast
Lunch: 1 large mango. 170g(6oz) mixed salad(watercress, fresh mint, spring onions, tomato, red/yellow peppers, chicory,baby spinach,bean sprouts), with lemon juice and olive oil dressing. 1 large jacket potato(with skin) with 60g(2oz) low fat fromage frais, whipped with chopped chives and a clove of garlic. Glass of vegetable juice.
Dinner: 1 small carton of live low-fat yoghurt with mixed berries and a teaspoon of honey. 1 crusty wholemeal roll with a matchbox-sized piece of soft organic cheese:brie,camembert,or similar. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
DAY 4: 800 calories
Your main food today will be organic rice, traditionally used by naturopaths as a cleansing treatment. Make enough for the entire day: 100g(3 and a half oz) dry brown rice cooked in a pint of water ( or half water and half vegetable stock for a more savoury flavour). Drink only water (at least 5 pints) with meals and in between.
Breakfast: 85g (3oz) rice with 145g (5oz) stewed apple and honey, cinnamon and grated lemon rind.
Lunch: 85g (3oz) rice with 200g(7oz) steamed vegetables: celery,leek,carrot,tomato,spinach,broccoli and shredded cabbage.
Dinner: 85g (3oz) rice mixed with soaked dried apricots, raisins, sultanas and the flesh of a pink grapefruit.
DAY 5: 1,100 calories
Standard Breakfast
Lunch: 1 apple,1 pear, 170g(6oz) raw vegetable salad(cauliflower and brocoli florets,carrot,spring onion,grated red cabbage,mangotout)tossed in olive oil and cider vinegar dressing, sprinkled with a teaspoon of raisins, and 3 chopped Brazil nuts. 1 large jacket potato(with skin) filled with 85g(3oz)steamed spinach,chopped with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, a chopped garlic clove and a generous grating of nutmeg. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
Dinner: 85g (3oz) fromage frais mixed with a carton of live, low-fat yoghurt, poured over a generous bowl of mixed fruit salad, including kiwi, pineapple, orange,grapes,berries and apple. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
DAY 6: 1,300 calories
Standard Breakfast
Lunch: 1 banana.170g (6oz) mixed salad: mixed shredded lettuce leaves (cos, little gem,lambs lettuce,radicchio),tomato,olives,red pepper,carrot,spring onions,cucumber,a clove of garlic,fennel and watercress,with a dressing of lemon juice, walnut oil and tarragon. 1 large jacket potato filled with 85g steamed French or runner beans sprinkled with a dessert spoon of sunflower oil and finely chopped onions. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
Dinner: 85g (3oz) muesli mixed with a dessertspoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey, grated apple and a small carton of live low-fat yoghurt. 1 slice wholemeal bread with a matchbox sized piece of brie, camembert or similar soft organic cheese. 1 slice wholemeal bread with honey. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
DAY 7: 1,200 calories
Standard Breakfast
Lunch: 170g (6oz) mixed salad:(watercress,baby spinach, mixed lettuce leaves, parsely,celery,garlic,chives,basil,tomato)with a dressing of one third walnut oil,one third olive oil, one third cider vinegar and a teaspoon of dijon mustard (make large amount and store in bottless) sprinkled with sunflower seeds. 85g boiled potatoes in their skins. One trout stuffed with finely chopped parsely, onion,tomato and pine nuts, covered in thinly sliced lemon, baked in foil with a little olive oil. Vegetarian alternative: stir-fried tofu and soy sauce or a grilled veggie burger. A glass of dry white wine.
Dinner: 1 whole pink grapefruit. 2 poached eggs on two slices of wholemeal toast with a scrape of butter. Herbal or weak Indian tea.
Well Done!! If you havent cheated you're probably four or five pounds lighter, your eyes are bright and your skin is clear and you feel terrific. The high fibre content of this week has really got your digestion working and all the super protective natural chemicals inn pure unadulterated organic food have lifted your spirits. Best of all you'll finish the week with lower blood pressure, less cholesterol and a rested liver.
nb. Michael van Straten is one of Britains leading complementary health experts and author of bestselling "Superfoods" series