The world is full of toxins these days. We find toxins in our food, our drinking water, our personal care products, in the very air we breathe. Our liver is responsible for filtering the toxins out of our bodies but it can be overwhelmed with all the toxins it must filter these days. Numerous health problems can result from all these toxins and even if we don’t suffer specific medical conditions, we may simply feel tired, depressed, sluggish, congested or unwell. Some people find a seven day detox diet plan a helpful way of eliminating some of the toxins from their bodies.
Why Do a Seven Day Detox Diet?
Completing a seven day detox diet as outlined here can help you lose weight, flush toxins from your system, give you more energy and make you feel more alert. It might reduce your risk of health problems like diabetes, liver disease, high cholesterol, arthritis, kidney disease and digestive problems. If you already suffer from such health problems, this detox diet plan may not be a cure but it might lead to improvement in your condition.
How to Do It
Just follow this plan for seven consecutive days. Stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables before beginning your detox diet. Also prepare one or more pots of vegetable broth, made according to the recipe that follows this menu, to be reheated as needed during the week.
When You Wake Up
Begin your day with two glasses of water with the juice of half a lemon in one glass. Continue drinking water throughout the day, with lemon added if you prefer it that way.
Breakfast
Enjoy a piece of fresh fruit along with up to two cups of cooked whole grains. Consider a variety of fruits including apples, bananas, peaches, pears, kiwi, oranges, grapefruits or one cup of fresh strawberries or other berries; choose a different fruit each day. Consider a variety of whole grains, as well, including quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat and millet. Don’t eat barley, wheat, oats or rye as they can be more difficult to digest.
Morning snack
Enjoy one or more cups of vegetable broth, made according to the recipe that follows this menu.
Midday Meal
Enjoy two to four cups of steamed veggies. Select a variety of veggies for each evening meal. Try to choose veggies of different colors and textures. Consider bitter greens such as kale, sweet orange or yellow veggies like carrots, bright colored peppers and crisp celery. Steam veggies until they are slightly tender but still firm.
Afternoon snack
Enjoy one or more cups of vegetable broth.
Evening Meal
Enjoy two to four cups of steamed veggies or two to four cups of raw veggies as a salad with oil and vinegar for a dressing. Again, select a variety of veggies for each evening meal.
Evening Snack
If you feel the need for an evening snack, enjoy another cup or two of vegetable broth. Continue drinking water all evening, with lemon if you prefer it that way.
Vegetable Broth Recipe
Ingredients:
2 quarts distilled water
2 cups broccoli, chopped small
3 cups celery, diced small
2 cups red-skinned potato peels, ½ inch thick
2 cups spinach, cut or torn into small pieces
1 small zucchini, cut into small pieces
Directions:
Put all the vegetables in the distilled water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and cook for half an hour or a little longer. Then strain out the vegetable pieces.
Adding vitamin supplements to your seven day detox diet plan helps your body eliminate toxins and strengthens your immune system. Vitamin D is known to support healthy immune functioning and many people are actually deficient in vitamin D, so that’s a good one to add. Make sure the supplement you purchase is vitamin D3, not vitamin D2. Your body must convert any vitamin D2 into vitamin D3 and it does not convert well in most people. Vitamin C is another good supplement to add because helps protect the liver against toxins. Continue taking any other vitamin supplements recommended by your physician or dietician during your seven day detox diet.
You can also add herbal supplements to your detox diet to support your body as it eliminates toxins. Dandelion is a good supplement to add because it supports liver functioning while at the same time flushing toxins out of the body. Echinachea is another good herb to consider taking because it boosts the immune system.
Caution
While a seven day detox diet is safe for most people, those with known medical conditions or special dietary needs should see their doctors before beginning any type of special diet, including a seven day detox diet. If your medical or dietary needs make it unsafe for you to do a seven day detox diet as outlined here, ask your physician or a registered dietician if you can do a modified seven day diet. Your doctor or dietician should be able to help you modify this diet to fit your needs.
Sources:
Web MD. http://www.webmd.com/balance/natural-liver-detox-diets-liver-cleansing. Natural Liver Detox Diets (Liver Cleansing).
Vitamin D Council. http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/infections-and-autoimmunity/. Infections and Autoimmunity.
