Detox Meal Planning and Recipes

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. There are also plenty of hearty, delicious recipes to try when you're doing a detox.

Here's some inspiration for you as you embark on your 7-Day Detox:

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

For the first two days of your detox, you will 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 8am, 11:30am, 3pm and then at 6:30pm. 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 increased levels of 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. Use the timings above as a guide, or according to your schedule spaced 3.5 hours apart.

Start your day with a shake, have a plant based meal for lunch, enjoy another detox shake mid-afternoon and 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, hemp hearts, hummus and bean sprouts, or animal/fish protein including chicken, salmon or shrimp. Quality meats and wild 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 higher amounts of starch (more sugar), like sweet potatoes.

Recipes for Your Seasonal 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. Based on your location and the time of year you choose to detox, you may also feel drawn to certain types of food, for example warming soups in the winter and lighter salads in the summer. Whatever the season we've got you covered every quarter with seasonal recipes based on Ayurvedic principles.

Here is some recipe inspiration you can enjoy all year long:

• Winter Detox Recipe Guide
• Fall Recipe Detox Guide
• Summer Recipe Detox Guide
• Spring Recipe Detox Guide
  
  

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 seasonal detox that puts you on a healthier year on year.