How to Eat Clean for Detox

Have you ever wondered how to eat clean? The words “clean eating” are probably two of the most overused words in the online space of health and fitness.  In most cases though, there is no explanation behind the words.  It is just a catch phrase used to lure in the person looking to lose weight.  It usually comes with some vanilla, one-size-fits-all meal plan, a few quotes, a sprinkle of motivation, and maybe even a pitch for a workout package.    

Let’s dive into what clean eating actually means.  We first need to visit the other overused and exploited word: detox.  In the simplest of terms, detoxing is simply ridding your body of toxins that are present due to external and internal causes. 

Did you know that one place you detox through is your skin (Haas  & Chace, 2012)? 

What is Dry Brushing?

If you’ve never heard of dry brushing, you are in for a treat! Healthline Explains Dry Brushing as:

“Dry brushing is a type of Ayurvedic medicine that has been around for centuries. It’s believed to have many health benefits.”

“Dry brushing works by exfoliating the skin. Practitioners of dry brushing rub a brush with coarse, natural-fiber bristles over their bodies in a particular pattern. The idea is that the coarse fibers will help to remove dead skin and improve the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins through the pores.”

“Dry brushing may help your body release toxins. It may also help you relax. There’s little data to support the benefits of dry brushing, but for most people there’s also little harm in practicing dry brushing.”

Amazon carries my favorite dry brush set. You can check it out here.

Simple Ways to Learn How to Eat Clean

Our bodies are well-oiled machines that naturally detox themselves.  At times, however, they need a little help.  Clean eating is simply choosing foods in a way that best supports your body and the detox process of your body.  There are many detox mechanisms, some scarier than others. 

Did you know that there is a simple, completely basic way to detox your body in your own home without a huge investment or a complex manual?  Well, then, let’s get to it.  It’s called clean eating.  I bet you didn’t see that coming 😊   

Here are my top 3 clean eating tips to help your body naturally detox that won’t break the bank or keep you stuck in bed.

Clean Eating Tip 1

Drink lemon water first thing in the morning and throughout the day.  Lemon water reduces inflammation, enhances digestion, and nourishes your body with important nutrients.  Make this in the morning and drink it throughout the day (“Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water Daily”, n.d.):

• Fill a 3-quart pitcher of water
• Freshly squeeze 3 lemons into water
• Add cucumber slice to water (optional)
• Stir and enjoy throughout the day

Clean Eating Tip 2

Eat whole foods with an emphasis on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.  If you can’t afford fresh organic fruits and vegetables, then buy fresh organic frozen fruits and vegetables – emphasis on fresh.  Another option is to follow the clean 15 and the dirty dozen guidelines.  Try to buy the dirty dozen organic and buy the clean 15 non-organic if needed (“Report: When to buy organic”, 2013). I will maintain that you should buy corn organic even though it is on the “clean 15” side.  This is because it is likely to be produced with GMOs given that 88% of corn crops are genetically engineered (“Consumer info about food from genetically engineered plants”, 2015).

Clean 15	Dirty Dozen
Onions	Apples
Sweet Corn	Celery
Asparagus	Strawberries
Sweet Peas	Peaches
Eggplant	Spinach
Cabbage	Nectarines (imported)
Sweet Potatoes	Grapes (imported)
Mushrooms	Sweet Bell Peppers (imported)
Pineapples	Potatoes
Avocados	Blueberries
Mangoes	Lettuce
Cantaloupe (domestic)	Kale/Collard Greens
Kiwi
Watermelon
Grapefruit

Clean Eating Tip 3

Enjoy a smoothie or a fresh juice each day. I’m sure you’ve heard about the importance of chewing your food to aid your digestive system.  Take it a step further and enjoy a smoothie or a fresh juice for breakfast and REALLY give it a break.  I recommend alternating between juices and smoothies.  Juicing will help get energy and nutrients right into your system fast and smoothies will guarantee that you are still getting fiber along with important nutrients. 

See Tip #2 for ways to incorporate organic fruits and veggies that you can afford!  Do not just use fruits though!!  That is a big no-no!  We don’t need your blood sugar skyrocketing.  So, throw in some veggies. 

Here is a fantastic smoothie and a great juice recipe to get you started (and yes, you need a juicer and/or a blender for these)

Sweet Veggie Juice

Ingredients

1-2 cucumbers

3 carrots

1 green apple

1-2 celery stalks

1/2 lemon

Chunk of fresh ginger

Handful of kale

Instructions

Using your juicer, juice all of the above and enjoy right away!

Simple Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup water, almond milk, or coconut milk

1 frozen banana

1 cup kale

2 tablespoons raw cacao nibs

1 tablespoon raw cacao

Instructions

Put all ingredients into a blender, blend well, and enjoy right away!

Learning how to eat clean does not need to be daunting. Small, consistent changes make a big impact on the health of your body.  You don’t have to do it all at once, but the key is to start.  Start today! 

References

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water Daily. (n.d.).  Retrieved from http://www.hickorync.gov/sites/default/files/Lemon%20Water%20Benefits%20(Post%20Article).pdf

Consumer info about food from genetically engineered plants. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/geplants/ucm461805.htm.

Haas, E. & Chace, D. (2012). The Detox Diet. The definitive guide for lifelong vitality with recipes, menus, and detox plans. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. 

Report: When to buy organic. (2013).  Retrieved from https://dph.georgia.gov/blog/2013-09-04/report-when-buy-organic.

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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this article, made available via The Mind Body Design (Holistic Fit LLC), are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The Content presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information provided by The Mind Body Design (Holistic Fit LLC). Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk. And, of course, never use an herb or essential oil without first reading the label, doing your research, or checking with a local expert.