Wellness 18/12/2020
Detox foods to cleanse your body before the holidays
Between the turkey with chestnuts, the foie gras, the Christmas log and the alcoholic nectars, it's hard to avoid overloading at the time of the end of year celebrations. If you had planned a detox after the festive period, why not anticipate and prepare your body for the excesses to come? Cleansing your body will allow you to approach your family meals with peace of mind. Focus on foods that boost digestion and give you new energy.
What is a detox cure?
Detoxing means purifying your body by limiting the amount of fat, salt and sugar in your diet. The idea is not to go on a diet but to lighten the body of the toxins accumulated throughout the year, to help it function better.
Of course, our body is capable of eliminating toxins on its own. The kidneys and liver filter waste, while the intestines are responsible for evacuating it. But when these organs are out of breath, the general state is disturbed. The digestive organs are overloaded, the complexion is cloudy, digestion is slower and fatigue sets in. The aim of the detox cure is therefore to cleanse the body to promote the elimination of toxins and regain vitality.
When to do a detox cure?
Healthy eating: the basis of a good detox
A detox cure is above all a matter of diet. This means eating a variety of products - organic whenever possible - replacing rich foods with lighter ones and staying well hydrated.
In concrete terms, we should avoid white sugar, industrial dishes, dairy products, cold meats, refined cereals, pastries, biscuits, fried food, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and we should limit gluten as much as possible. We should also pay attention to the right combinations by avoiding proteins and carbohydrates, which are complex to digest, in the same meal.
Detox foods to choose from
- Water galore
First of all, drink spring water on a daily basis and regularly. It is recommended to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day to activate the drainage and elimination of toxins.
- Lemon juice in the morning on an empty stomach
Every morning on an empty stomach, we cleanse our body by drinking the juice of half an organic lemon mixed with warm water. This daily gesture activates the elimination of toxins and promotes digestion, thanks in particular to citric acid, which stimulates the secretion of bile in the liver. This citrus fruit also has beneficial effects on blood sugar levels and fat dissolution. After drinking your drink, wait 15 minutes before eating breakfast. You can also dilute the juice of one lemon in a bottle of water and drink throughout the day.
- Detoxifying vegetables
Vegetables contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary to eliminate toxins from our body. Their antioxidants will also help to drain the emunctory organs. As for their fibers, they will help clean the body, especially the sulfurous vegetables that support the liver: garlic, onion, shallot, chives, leeks, cabbage, turnips, radishes, artichokes. Steamed, in broth or in the form of soup, you can also abuse raw vegetables in the form of juice: celery, carrot, cucumber, black radish, spinach, fennel, beetroot, parsley, fresh coriander, watercress, ginger, turmeric. Not only do they help detoxify the body, but they also lighten it, as they are very quickly digested.
- Antioxidant fruits
Rich in antioxidants, citrus fruits are great for cleansing the body: lemons, grapefruits and oranges. Red fruits also have a great capacity to drain toxins: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries.Pineapple activates digestion (especially of proteins) and prevents bloating. Rich in enzymes, potassium, bromelain and citric acid, it is perfect for acid-base balance and enzyme work. In this winter period, however, favour seasonal fruits, such as apples, pears and kiwis.
- Spices and herbs
Concentrated in protective and detoxifying nutrients, spices and aromatics are to be preferred. Some are appetite suppressants(cinnamon, star anise), others are super detoxifying and anti-inflammatory(turmeric, ginger), or rich in "cleansing" nutrients(coriander, onion, garlic, mustard, cloves, parsley, rosemary).
- The essential green tea
Green tea, in drink or in food supplements, is known for its diuretic and antioxidant virtues. Thanks to its theine and polyphenols, it detoxifies the liver. It also has a draining action and helps to better eliminate toxins by stimulating the kidneys. For a more powerful detox effect, it is advisable to mix green tea with detoxifying plants, such aslime blossom, dandelion, burdock or mint.
- Birch, the queen of detox plants
Rich in magnesium, vitamin C and potassium, birch sap is one of the best detox allies. Thanks to a double draining and depurative action, it favours the elimination functions. Its purifying virtues help to fight against water retention and restore the complexion's radiance. It is recommended to consume birch juice on an empty stomach for 3 weeks for optimal results, at a rate of two cures per year.
- Choosing the right essential oils
Real concentrates of active ingredients, essential oils are essential in detox cures. They can be used orally but must be consumed on an appropriate support: sugar, honey, vegetable oil or neutral tablet. It is advisable to be particularly vigilant with the dosages and to respect the precautions of use.
For a quick and easy cure
2 drops of Lemon essential oil on a neutral tablet to be melted in the mouth, 3 times a day at the beginning of a meal, ideally as a 3-week treatment.
- Detox food supplements: which ones to choose?
In the form of tablets, capsules or ampoules, food supplements are a precious help to accompany a detox cure. Some plants and active ingredients have benefits on the elimination of toxins from the body, targeting different fields of action:
- Drainers
Eliminate excess water.
The green tea is known for its diuretic and antioxidant properties. It promotes the elimination of water. The graviola is also a powerful diuretic, it maintains the functions of the liver and gallbladder.Nettle has depurative and diuretic qualities. Dandelion stimulates the kidneys and liver and helps reduce water retention.
- Depurative
Activate digestion and help fight against digestive discomforts.
Milk thistle has been used since ancient times as a depurative and liver revitalizer. The black radish is also the ally of the lazy livers. By increasing bile secretions and their evacuation towards the intestine, it contributes to eliminate toxins, facilitate digestion and purify the liver.
- Absorbers
Capture certain elements (heavy metals, chemical molecules) present in the food and prevent them from passing into the blood.
At the top of the list: theKlamath seaweed. It contains chlorophyll which has many properties: it absorbs heavy metals and chemical elements from food. It reduces intestinal gas and promotes good digestion. Activated charcoal is also extremely absorbent. Used as an anti-poison, it absorbs gases as well as chemical elements and heavy metals.
- Hepatoprotectors
Preserve liver health.
In the case of a congested liver, certain natural active ingredients can support the body's emunctory functions and relieve the work of the liver. Favour the curcumin (de-flames the liver and intestines), milk thistle (protects liver cells), rosemary (detoxifies the liver),artichoke (stimulates the liver and urinary elimination), dandelion (clears the liver), desmodium (protects and regenerates liver cells), chrysanthellum (activates bile secretion), and green tea (cleanses the liver).
Our detox and gourmet recipes!
❤ JUS
Juice beetroot, celery, carrot, apple
Apple, carrot and ginger juice
❤ SMOOTHIE
Kiwi, banana, avocado smoothie
Cucumber, arugula and mint smoothie
❤ BOILERS
Green vegetable broth (another variation)
