Thinking of going on a food cleanse?
The key is eating nutritious and whole foods that eliminate waste and toxins from your body.
Here are 6 more things to keep in mind:
1. Hydrate
Non-sugary fluids are your best friend while in the cleansing stage. Make an active effort to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.
You can mix it up every now and then by brewing up a cup of tea or adding in fresh lemons for a healthy infusion. All these liquids serve to eliminate waste by flushing them out of your system.
You also get the benefits of being well-hydrated, such as an alert mind, more energy and a functioning body.
2. Stop Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol and cleansing seem counter-intuitive, don’t they? That’s because it’s a fact. Alcohol does the exact opposite of a detox- you’ll be adding more poison instead of less.
Avoid them during the cleansing phase and choose a healthier alternative, such as fruit-infused water, a green smoothie or just plain water. You’ll be sure to experience better results in the end.
3. Get 8 Hours’ Sleep
Your body needs to be at its best when you’re cleansing it of heavy metals. Healthy foods and water won’t be enough- you will need all your organs and systems, e.g., kidney and immune system in optimal capacity.
Get at least 8 hours of deep, restful sleep every night so you’ll wake refreshed and ready to face the day. Eliminate bed distractions and make the room conducive for sleeping.
4. Eat Only Whole Foods
Natural foods are those that don’t come in a box. Processed, like alcohol is your enemy. Therefore, it’s best to take in greens and eggs in the morning so you can build good eating habits.
Fresh and real foods are readily available no matter the time of day. Make the conscious choice- apple instead of chocolate bar, shrimp or grilled chicken instead of fast food, and so on.
5. Say No to Sugar
Completely foregoing sugar may be an impossible task for some, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise control. The trick is to go natural, i.e., add cinnamon or go with sweet fruits if ever you have a craving.
Studies say that our taste buds adapt to what we eat, so the less sweets you have, the lesser you’ll want them. When doing the food cleanse, you’ll experience a heightened sense of taste, and suddenly whole foods and vegetables such as carrots will taste sweet and absolutely delicious.
6. Exercise Daily
It’s always a good idea to supplement a food cleanse with daily exercise. You don’t have to go overboard and invest in thousands of dollars’ worth of home gym equipment.
You can simply stand up from the couch and do any physical activity you like for half an hour or so. Walking around the neighborhood is free, and you’ll get sunlight and experience the beauty of nature. Or, you can complete an aerobic exercise or a short Pilates session.
By exercising every day you can get a major boost in mood and become more fit, which is always welcome.
