By JoAnne Romanelli, CHHC, AADP
Board Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach
When you think of a body cleanse, you probably think of hardcore diets that consists of just juice, harsh supplements and feeling completely deprived. Not all cleanses are that intense. In fact, there are ways to cleanse that are simple, effective and delicious!
Why cleanse? Your body is always in a state of cleansing. Sometimes it gets hard for your body to self cleanse because of accumulated metabolic waste you produce. The results are fatigue, sluggish digestion and an impaired immunity. Cleanses are perfect for removing toxins, improving digestion and immunity and preventing disease.
It’s a good idea to do a cleanse at least twice a year. Fall is perfect time to cleanse as it helps clear the toxins accumulated from all those summer BBQs and helps prepare your body for the winter months ahead.
The goal of any good cleanse is to create a body that is more alkaline and less acidic. To achieve this, you will have to minimize foods such as animal protein, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, gluten and dairy. By adding in foods like raw vegetables, fruits, beans, healthy fats and whole grains, you will help reduce acidity, lose weight and feel great.
Here are simple ways to help cleanse your body everyday:
Drink lemon water. Lemon, although acidic in nature, is actually very alkalizing when ingested so it helps to balance your pH. Fresh lemon juice is a gentle and natural diuretic and aids in digestion. For optimal effects, drink fresh lemon juice in warm water first thing in the morning and right before bed.
Eating plenty of fresh raw vegetables and fruits will help naturally cleanse your body by adding in nutrients and antioxidants while aiding digestion.
Lower your caffeine intake to one eight ounce cup of coffee, decaf or black tea a day. Ditch the sodas, diet sodas and energy drinks as they contain sugar and artificial sweeteners, which only add toxins to your body. Opt for green tea and herbal tea. Dandelion root tea and nettles tea are excellent medicinal strength teas that will help cleanse the liver and kidneys.
Just by drinking lemon water, eating plenty of fruits and veggies and lowering your caffeine intake, you are gently cleansing your body.
For all you hardcore cleansers who want to take it up a notch, try this: For a minimum of 3 days to a maximum of 21 days, exclude all animal protein, gluten, sugar, alcohol, caffeine and dairy. Instead, include foods that will energize you such as fresh fruits and vegetables including sea vegetables, whole gluten free grains like brown rice and quinoa, beans, nuts and healthy fats like olive oil and avocado.
Happy Cleansing!
Disclaimer
JoAnne Romanelli, Getting Real Health, and Nicole Zaybak Drepaniotis and the AFRP are not acting in the capacity of a doctor, licensed dietician-nutritionist, psychologist, other licensed or registered professional, personal trainer or any other certified exercise specialist/health exercise adviser. Our purpose is advising and recommendations.
The information received should not be seen as medical or nursing advice and is certainly not meant to take the place of your seeing licensed health professionals.
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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