Detox Part one- Blake Worrall-Thompson

What does winter mean for you? Less time on the beach? The mysterious disappearance of that 6 pack? Less ‘toning’ of the inner thigh and arms? For a lot of people winter can also mean less alcohol! A good thing right? Yep, I’m not going to disagree with you on that one, but if you really want to look after your body and avoid the winter ‘coat’ that builds around your stomach it might be a perfect chance detox!

This week myself and my lovely girlfriend kicked off our three week detox. No cayenne peppers, maple syrups, no chilli powders or cockroach legs, just a good wholesome, healthy quarterly (to be done four times a year) detox.

Why should I do it?

This detox program will get rid of all the toxins that are slowing down your metabolism, congesting your systems, blocking up your digestive system and polluting your blood.

This detox will help you balance your ‘ph’ and have you become more alkaline, which is the body’s natural state. Most (probably around 98%) of us are too acidic due to the excessive amounts of sugar and processed, packaged foods that we consume. The problem with having an acidic system is that it is a perfect breeding ground for fungus, bacteria, infections etc. If you balance your ph you will minimise the chances of bloating, eczema, psoriasis, spots or acne, flaky skin, fatigue, constipation, indigestion, insomnia, mood swings, hayfever and sinus troubles, weightloss plateus, hormonal imbalances, aching joints, headaches, tiredness, etc etc etc.

You will also find that there is very little sugar in this program. This is because we want to encourage our body to convert those stored up, fatty, toxic cells into energy, rather than draw the energy from artificial sugars. Because it is easier to draw energy from sugar your body will always look at that as an option before it looks to derive its energy from fat. There are people that even experience a reduction in cellulite on this program due to the subcutaneous fat cells gradually being broken down!

What is in my shopping basket?

You’re thinking a detox means you can only have carrots and water right??? Wrong! There are plenty of options for everyone!

Here is your list of goodies:

Dairy: cottage cheese, ricotta, feta, buffalo mozzarella, rice milk, goats milk, unsalted butter, lactose intolerant or bio yoghurt.

Fruits: Banana’s- make sure they are ripe, coconuts.

Vegetables: beetroot, celery, fennel, carrot, spinach, garlic, ginger, bok choi, cauliflower, squash, pumpkin, onion, brussel sprouts, asparagus, shallots, RIPE tomatoes (they become more acidic the longer you leave them).

Nuts: pine nuts, seeds, almonds.

Protein: chicken, turkey, salmon, white fish, eggs.

Carbohydrates: gluten free oats, gluten-yeast free bread, brown rice, non wheat pasta.

Extras: olive oil, lemon juice, coriander, cinnamon, chives, parsley, nutmeg, paprika, thyme leaves, sea salt, rosemary.

What should I have for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

Breakfast:

• Yoghurt, raw honey and banana.
• gluten free/yeast free toast with poach eggs, avocado and ripe tomatoes.
• gluten free oats with raw honey and rice milk.
• veggie juice (beetroot, carrot, celery, ginger, wheatgrass) great liver detoxifier.
• gluten free/yeast free muesli.

Snack:

• bok choi, carrots and cauliflower with hummus or guacamole.
• vegetable juice.

Lunch:

• vegetable soup.
• chicken/vegetables/salad/brown rice.
• fish/vegetables/salad/wheat pasta .
• vegetarian dishes.
• stir fry.
• eggs/nuts/vegetables .

Snack:

1. bok choi, carrots and cauliflower with hummus or guacamole.
2. herbal tea.
3. seeds, almonds.

Dinner:

• salmon/ vegetables/ salad/ brown rice.
• chicken/ vegetables/ salad/ wheat pasta.
• white fish/ vegetables/ salad/.

snack:

• herbal tea such as camomile or peppermint. These teas will help detox your body overnight and work on breaking down the toxins stored in the body.

What do I need to avoid?

Fizzy drinks- empty calories and no nutritional value to the body; they also fill the body with gas and cause bloating.

Artificial flavorings- (tomato sauce, vinegar, sauces, mustards) they are acidic and full of sugar.

Caffeine- It becomes an artificial stimulant and makes your own (your thyroid and adrenal glands) under active and lazy.

Alcohol- Pretty obvious but if you do need to sip on something try a ‘cleaner’ alcohol such as vodka, gin and tequila.

Dairy products- They are mucus forming and acid forming. Although there are a few dairy products in the list they are the less mucous forming of the group.

Red meat- it should be avoided in the initial period because it is acidic forming.

Stay tuned for part 2 when we talk about the supplements that help in detoxifying the body and the maintenance eating plan that follows the 3 week detox!