Some people believe that they can do it themselves without guidance. This can work but it is much better to have some input from a trained professional. They will know which foods work best and what ones should be avoided at all costs.
A simple cleansing diet works best although some people prefer to go on a fast for the first couple of days. During the fasting period, they will only drink water or natural fruit and vegetable juices. This won't do you any harm for a couple of days but should not be sustained for much longer than that. You need additional vitamins and minerals in order for your body to work at its optimum level.
At the beginning of a detox you are likely to suffer some headaches and nausea. This is a sign that the program is working. The symptoms won't last long so be kind to yourself and try and rest as much as possible until they pass.
Carrots and watercress make a lovely refreshing juice as does red pepper, tomato and coriander. If you like drinking tomato juice but find it a bit bland, try adding some black pepper. You could also add fresh basil and garlic.
Apple and fennel are great together as are carrots and lemon. Some people tell me that combining carrot, pear, lettuce and parsley makes a lovely drink but I have to admit it is not one that I have personally tried.
When you are juicing at home, try to only make as much as you will immediately consume. Fresh juices do not keep and start to deteriorate very quickly. If you are serious, you will only eat or juice organic fruit and vegetables. The whole idea of this plan is to rid our bodies of toxins and using produce treated with pesticides defeats this purpose. If you cannot afford organic, peel and wash all the fruit and vegetables very carefully.
If you like soup, try this cleansing vegetable soup. You will need 1kg of mixed vegetables including onion, leek, celery, carrots, parsnip, spinach, fennel, broccoli, watercress and peppers. Add four garlic cloves and some tomatoes. Clean and chop all the ingredients and cover with water. Add 2 spoons of chopped fresh herbs. Bring to the boil and cook until the vegetables are soft – don’t make them into mush. If you like smooth soup, puree it. It freezes very well so you can make additional portions to use later. Season with black pepper and some lemon juice, if liked, when you serve.
When making salads, try adding a couple of spoons of home roasted nuts and seeds to add flavor and nutrients. Some good ones to try are pumpkin seeds, pine kernels or poppy seeds.
Following a weight loss program is never easy but having recipes for a detox diet makes it a whole lot simpler.
