Whether you overdid it at the weekend; or you’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with sweet treats; or you simply want to reboot your healthy habits, a quick cleanse is the perfect way to spring-clean your bod. In excess, sugar, bad fats and salt can leave you feeling bloated, sluggish and grumpy, prompting you to pack on the pounds and leaving your complexion looking weary. There are also more serious effects; it’s thought that stressing out your organs can increase the risk of autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalance, allergies and depression.
Committing to a detox may seem like a lot of time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. In fact, the results of tucking into a clean diet are pretty amazing. Research by Harvard University reveals that upping the amount of fruit and veg in your diet over time can slash the risk of certain types of cancer and protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Plus, if you follow our three-day detox, you’ll drop anywhere up to five pounds, feel less bloated and your skin will get that gorgeous glow back. You’ll also be brimming with energy, and feel focused and happy – what’s not to like?
What is a detox?
Before you get started, you might want to know a bit more about what a detox actually is. Well, the body has many different channels of elimination: the skin and liver, which are the body’s largest organs, as well as the lymph, lungs, colon and kidneys. These organs are primed to get rid of toxins on an everyday basis. Chemicals and other nasties we eat or breathe enter the bloodstream and are broken down and filtered. It sounds simple, but the process is pretty complex. Just like an old car that keeps breaking down, when they are overworked these organs don’t function efficiently – our system becomes clogged up as toxins get stored in our cells, igniting a cascade of symptoms like candida, acne, weight gain and more. All these symptoms are your body’s way of crying out for help. It needs a holiday!
And it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat it. Gulping down food without chewing or eating on the go can also put a strain on your digestive system. Detoxing gives these organs and your entire digestive system a break so it can renew and repair. Supporting your body with a range of fruits, vegetables and healthy foods in their natural state also provides your body with the nutrients it really needs.
Supercharge your results
A toxic overload in your body creates an acidic environment, so the aim of a good detox or cleanse is to get your body back to that natural alkaline state so that everything can work as efficiently as possible. Specific herbs, such as milk thistle, nettle and dandelion, can all help to kick-start your body’s cleansing process and establish that alkaline environment, while peppermint can be a great after-dinner digestif. Chamomile and lemon balm can also have powerful calming effects on the nervous system.
There are all sorts of detox diets out there, but our short-term food-based plan combines nutrient-packed juices and soups with solid food to reduce the digestive burden on your system and achieve serious results, fast. The inclusion of liquidised raw fruits and vegetables provides your body with water, enzymes and a readily available injection of plant-based nutrients, such as antioxidants, which are important for helping to stave off disease and resetting your body’s natural equilibrium. We’ve included one substantial evening meal on each day of the detox and the majority of these are protein-based. This is because protein is a vital nutrient that helps to maintain muscle mass, which is a key factor in keeping the metabolism working to its maximum capacity.
An effective detox will also help to eliminate any diet stressors, such as cigarettes, caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks and all processed foods. You should aim to cut these out no less than five days before your detox begins to help you to get the best results you possibly can and lessen the impact of the initial side-effects of detoxing. These generally include nausea, flu-like symptoms and headaches, which occur as your body removes toxins that have been trapped inside for months (or even years). Don’t feel discouraged if you experience these systems though. This is all very normal and, in fact, feeling a little worse for wear is a sign that the cleanse is working. But be sure to take it easy while you’re detoxing – now is definitely not the time to hit the gym for an intense workout session, push yourself through a long run or pack your diary full of social events. Spend as much time at home relaxing as possible to ensure that you’re in a calm environment where you can take lots of rest while your body gets to work flushing out nasties.
At a glance
What to expect on our three-day detox...
DAY 1:
You will probably pass a normal bowel movement, since it takes up to 72 hours for food to travel through your digestive system. As you embark on the diet you will probably experience food cravings, feel sluggish, nauseous and grumpy (stay with us ladies!), as your brain isn’t getting as much glucose as usual.
DAY 2:
No doubt you will experience intense food cravings for more solid food, and hunger pangs will kick in on day two. You’ll also feel more tired than usual and, if you’re a sugar fiend or coffee addict, you’ll probably experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches. Your bowel movements will be softer than usual and you should be prepared for a few extra trips to the loo!
DAY 3:
It’s likely you’ll feel less bloated (hello flat tum!) and have more energy. Your body isn’t expending as much energy doing its normal job, so there’s more energy available. You’ll still experience some withdrawal symptoms, but these will be less intense.
DAY 4:
You will feel revitalised, full of energy, and have a renewed zest for life! You will have lost weight, have more focus and your complexion will glow. Yes it was worth it!
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