Detox Do’s and Don’ts

Happy New Year! Every January, my clients are often in search of detox do’s and don’ts. We all want a quick fix to feel less sluggish after all of the holiday treats! If you want to feel healthier and more energized, checkout my detox do’s and don’ts.

Detox Do’s

1. Know yourself.

When selecting a detox/diet/exercise program, it’s CRUCIAL that you take into account your likes, dislikes, lifestyle, level of commitment, and start/end date.

One of my favorite detoxes: “The Whole 30” from the book “It Starts with Food.” I like it because it is doable, safe, effective, and nutrient-dense. Not to mention, it does not lead to post-detox overeating or weight gain.

The Whole 30 Plan may be for you if…

You want to educate yourself on how to eat right for life.
You want to know what foods you’re sensitive to.
You’re willing to eliminate dairy, sugar, and other junk foods from your diet for a month.
You want to make healthy eating a lifestyle after the detox is over.

2. Prepare for social challenges.

There will never be a time when you don’t have social gatherings centered around food. Therefore, if you’re going to start eating incredibly healthy on a detox, you have to be ready to say no to decadent desserts, explain your detox in a polite way, and not make others feel judged. In addition, your friends may give you a hard time… Just remember that it will pass and YOU know what’s best for your body!

3. Hydrate!

Without proper hydration, toxins cannot be eliminated. Drink half your weight in ounces of filtered water daily to ensure a safe and effective cleanse. For example, a 140 pound person should aim for at least 70 ounces of water daily.

4. Detox more than just your body.

Use a detox to de-stress and become more spiritually and emotionally centered. Commit to quality sleep. Try Epsom salt baths, a social media detox, a yoga class, or meditation. Do more activities that make you feel happy and peaceful!

5. Add detox supplements to your regime.

To maximize your detox, it’s important to add supplement support. Try calcium d-glucarate and glutathione (a powerful antioxidant) for liver detoxification. I also recommend coconut charcoal to pull the toxins OUT. Keep in mind it should not be taken within 3 hours of of any medication you’re on.

Detox Don’ts

1. Don’t do a juice cleanse or liquid fast.

I’m all about green vegetable juice, but only in addition to a healthy and balanced diet. Juice cleanses are low in fiber and protein (two things necessary for detoxification) and high in sugar (fructose), which is not your friend on a detox. Not to mention, it’s incredibly difficult to commit to a juice fast because you are literally starving! Juice cleanses usually provide about 800 calories a day. You’re bound to fail if you’ve never fasted before.

2. Don’t overdo it.

Detoxing is not supposed to add more stress into your life. If you are miserable or realize it’s not the right time, take a break. Just do your best to eat clean and don’t sweat it.

3. Don’t do a detox for the wrong reasons.

If the ONLY reason you’re doing a detox is because you want to lose weight quickly, you will NOT have the level of motivation required to get through it. You must determine your whys, which could be any of the following: improving your overall health, increasing your lifespan, rebalancing your hormones, changing your insulin sensitivity, decreasing mood swings, lowering your body fat percentage to a healthy range, learning more about nutrition, and making healthy eating a habit.

4. Don’t leave it to chance.

Make sure you take the time to read up on your detox and plan for it. Don’t plunge into any lifestyle change without doing your research. The detox I mentioned in this blog may not be for you, especially if you are a beginner! Listen to your body and educate yourself to prevent problems.