Feeling over-stuffed like your Holiday turkey? Too much pumpkin pie? You’re ready to Detox! Support your body in the elimination of toxins so that you can enjoy the festivities and fun of the holidays while looking and feeling fantastic. This is a great way to prevent the low energy levels, weight gain, depleted immune system, and mild depression associated with holiday binging. The ultimate detoxification process involves the 3-Week Detox Program, led by the SCNY Wellness Team. To see if you are up to the challenge, we have modified the SCNY Detoxification Program for safe, at-home use during the holidays or anytime.
DAY #1 - Drink Water and Eat Consciously
Add lots of water to your diet! Drink at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day for all 7 days. Start each day with your first glass of water - you may fortify it with fresh lemon juice for added zing. Pace your water consumption throughout the day. Water is best when served at room temperature. Begin each of your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with a tall glass of water.
Completely eliminate all caffeine, coffee and teas, caffeinated soda, all alcoholic and carbonated beverages. Replace these beverages with water, organic veggie juice, and decaffeinated herbal tea.
Slow down the pace of your day by giving your full attention to your meals. Eat all meals thoughtfully, with minimal distractions. As you eat, think about where your food comes from and how it came to your plate. By thinking more about the foods we are putting into our bodies we are developing conscious eating behaviors that will allow us to make healthier and higher-quality food choices.
DAY #2 - THINK CLEAN & FRESH
Choose organic foods whenever possible: fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats and poultry can be purchased from your local health food store. Make informed choices when selecting fish. Continue to eat this way for the balance of the seven days.
DAY #3 - ELIMINATE ALL DAIRY. SNACK WELL.
Remove, all eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, and butter items from your diet.
When snacking, choose carrot sticks, celery, edamame, cabbage leaves filled with raw vegetables, apples smeared with almond butter, frozen grapes. Prepare fruit and vegetable snacks and eat healthier and cleaner. Add protein-fueled snacks like nuts and nut butters (avoid peanuts).
DAYS #4-7 - GO WHEAT FREE
For the remaining three days, remove all wheat products from your diet. This includes almost anything packaged: processed cakes, cookies, all breads, pasta, crackers, and processed carbohydrate products. You may eat whole grain products that do not include wheat. These wheat-free foods are more likely made without the use of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. They are not only healthier for you, but easier for the body to digest. Also, removing food groups from your diet that are highly allergenic such as dairy and wheat (many people have food intolerance's to some of these foods) reduces the chances of inflammation in the body.
Continue for the rest of the week, incorporating all of these conscious-eating, clean diet tips. What do you notice? Doing this detoxification allows your body to function under less stress because it is able to metabolize.
