Winter Detox Meal Planning and Recipes

After the holidays is a great time to start a Winter detox. It's recommended that detoxification be utilized to rebalance the body seasonally. When you release stored toxins and support the body with nourishing foods, you can help support a healthy immune system.

A detox, however, might feel overwhelming at first. Where do you start? What foods should you eat and exactly how much? A basic rule is to keep it simple. Start by choosing your favorite foods from a list of nutritious detox plan choices, and then create your meals out of those. There are also plenty of hearty, delicious recipes to try when you're doing a winter detox.

Here's some inspiration for you as you embark on your seven-day winter detox:

Days 1-2: "Shake Fast" to Optimize Detoxification

For the first two days of your winter detox, consume only detox shakes that are packed full of nutrients that support liver detoxification. For both days, you have four shakes in three-and-a-half-hour intervals. So, for instance, you can grab a shake at 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and then at 6:30 p.m. Consuming only shakes for the first two days helps to optimize detoxification. This is because they're packed with essential vitamins and nutrients and are absent from ingredients that can lead to inflammation, like gluten and dairy.

Days 3-7: Two Meals, Two Shakes

After the two-day shake fast, you'll start adding meals back in on day three. Whole foods are chosen because they're simple, anti-inflammatory and easy to digest. By limiting the variety of foods you eat during the second part of the fast, you're helping preserve energy, since the more variety in your diet, the more digestive energy is required of the body.

Start your day at 8 a.m. with a shake, then have a meal for lunch at 11:30 a.m. At 3 p.m., have another detox shake, and then have a meal for dinner, either vegetarian or paleo. For both meals, vegetarian, vegan or paleo meals are preferred, and it's important to have a balanced, nutritious meal that includes:

• Protein.Each meal should have ½ to 1 cup of protein. Choose from a simple list that includes plant options such as lentils, hummus and bean sprouts, or animal/fish protein including chicken, salmon or shrimp. Quality meats and fish are key; red meat and processed meats should be avoided during a seasonal detox.
• Fats.Have 1-2 tablespoons of fat with both lunch and dinner. This can include foods like avocado or ingredients such as coconut oil or flax seeds. You can also combine 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil and lemon juice to make a tasty salad dressing.
• Carbohydrates.With both lunch and dinner, have 1–2 cups of carbs such as asparagus, broccoli, lettuce or mushrooms. If you're trying to lose weight, avoid carbs that have more sugar, like sweet potatoes or carrots.

Warming Recipes for Your Detox

While cooking foods — versus leaving them raw — can indeed reduce some nutrients, some foods are more easily digested and absorbed by our body after they've been cooked. That's why warming soups and hearty vegetable dishes are perfect choices for a winter detox.

Approved recipes for a winter detox plan include a warming chickpea chowder, a super simple baked salmon, a flavorful fish stew and a satisfying tofu scramble. More information on our suggested meal plan plus full recipes, download our Winter Detox Recipe Guide today!

As you embark on your detox, you don't have to do it alone. Join our community detox and Facebook group for daily support, and learn more about detox products. Your body will thank you for taking the time to go through a healing winter detox that puts you on a healthier path for the rest of the year.