Spring detox without the juice: Cleanse while eating real food

Saturday, April 19, 2014 by: Heidi Fagley
Tags: detoxification, juicing, real food

(NaturalNews) Notice how many juices are being bottled and sold on store shelves? We're literally being inundated by juice companies striving to get our attention to buy $10 juices by the dozens, ensuring we will get everything we need to clean out our systems if we just buy the juice.

Yes, juice can be a powerful way to help support detoxing the body, and it is chock full of nutrients -- there's no arguing there -- but not all of us can fast, nor do we all want to. So what about the rest of us who want to support cleansing of the body but not give up food?

Simple -- eat! A super-clean eating program can do wonders for the body and mind. In fact, the beautiful thing about the human body is that it knows how to cleanse, instinctively. We have multiple organs and systems whose job is to do just that, daily. So, interestingly enough, our bodies are always in the midst of working hard for us to detox -- we just need to give them the right environment for success.

Fresh produce contains natural cleansers -- this is the way that nature intended. Eating them regularly will consistently support the cleansing systems of the body, without having to drink our way through the day.

For instance, feasting on fresh fruits and vegetables can do wonders for the body and digestive system, and doing so allows the organs to do their job without interference.

To get started, simply remove what is unnatural, and include what is fresh and real. When support is given to the body nutritionally, it naturally detoxes.

Some things to include:

Fresh herbs: Including herbs like parsley and cilantro in your diet can support the detoxification of heavy metals from the system. Chop into salads, or blend into smoothies.

Juicy fruits: Snacking on grapefruits, berries and apples gives the body a host of nutrient-dense vitamins and minerals -- plus, they have a high water content, which helps the body stay hydrated. Fiber gently sweeps through the intestines, clearing the digestive tract all while keeping things moving in the right direction.

Healthy fats: Including ripe avocados and chia and hemp seeds provides the body the healthy fats our systems so desperately crave. Every process of the body needs fat in order to function at peak performance.

Greens and wild edibles: We all know that these are at the top of any nutritional program. From kale to arugula, watercress to dandelion greens. Massive amounts of powerful nutrients naturally reside inside these leaves.

Other: Garlic, ginger and turmeric are some of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods we have available to us. Inflammation is at the root of practically all known chronic health conditions.

A three- or five-day conscious intake of foods omitting anything other than fresh, clean fruits, veggies and healthy fats can help decrease stress on the systems of the body and increase clarity of the mind -- all while satisfying the appetite and regulating body weight.

Include lots of pure water and freshly brewed herbal teas, get plenty of rest and enjoy what your body naturally knows how to do by supporting it nutritionally. Include fresh-pressed juices if you'd like, just know that fasting on them is not the only way to give the body a break. With all the springtime herbs, vegetables and fruits this time of year, it's simple to give your body a break without taking away the simple pleasure of eating.

Sources include:

https://www.cleanprogram.com

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca

http://www.organicauthority.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Heidi Fagley is a Holistic Nutritionist and has two culinary arts degrees - one in Raw, Living Foods and another in Natural Foods.

Heidi embraces the belief that wellness is a state of balance on multiple levels and enjoying what you eat and how you spend your time is a huge part of that journey. Connect with her on social media for recipes, tidbits and product review updates on healthy living: http://heidisdish.com/