Spring “Cleaning” Foods
Cleansing has been an area of debate for a while in the health industry, but what does cleansing really mean? Is it healthy? And, what are the results you get?
Cleansing can mean a lot of different things: a digestive system cleanse, a detoxing cellular cleanse, a juice cleanse, whole food diet, or in some instances the new hot topic that’s actually been around a long long while - intermittent fasting. In every case though, the idea is you give your body a chance to rest, get rid of what’s been hanging around too long, and reset. It can give you more energy, reduce cravings and in some instances even help get a jump start on weight loss, but not in the way you might think..
Many cleanses involve a high volume of liquids, which help “flush” your system, of extra solids digressively, toxins in the liver, kidneys and fat cells, and additionally cause some temporary water weight loss. Though those water weight loss effects may be temporary, the reset it gives your system can be hugely beneficial! After a cleanse, many people find themselves more clear headed, are more aware of the effects certain foods have on their system and find it easier to make good dietary choices moving forward - helping to keep the pounds off moving forward. Additionally, when toxins are present, our bodies have one more reason to hold on to fat cells; to trap the toxins and keep them from doing harm to our internal systems. So, the removal of toxins can help the body be more prone to release fat easier when we have the right combo of diet and exercise.
If you are a newbie to the cleansing world, start gently. Maybe try a 7 pm to 7 am intermittent fast for a few days with fresh celery juice to start each day a half hour or so before consuming anything else. Celery juice is a wonderful and very gentle detox and is also great at reducing inflammation. You can make your own with a juicer or good blender. If you have a blender, just cover a few stalks of chopped celery with clean water, add a squeeze of lime and after it is fully blended, strain it with a cheese cloth. Remember to hydrate with plenty more water throughout the day (I always recommend at least 80 - 100 oz to help keep hydrated and also get the “flushing benefits.)
Aloe Vera and other juices are also great aids to cleansing, and have the added benefit of supplying you lots of healhty vitamins to boost your energy at the same time. Cold pressed juices are best, but be aware of the amount of sugar in juice. For diabetics and those with digestive issues or trying to curb sugar cravings, a juice cleanse may not be the best option. You can get pre-packaged cleansing systems that are loaded with vitamins and minerals without the sugar content. There are tea cleansing systems on the market as well. My advice is to do your research and find out ALL the potential benefits and drawbacks of a particular system before choosing, and if you have special medical dietary restrictions, always consult with your doctor before starting one.
If you are ready to dive a bit deeper into the cleansing world and want to learn more, please reach out!