Unlike what the latest fad detox diets popping up on your Instagram feed might have you believe, you don’t have to resort to a crazy juicing plan or long detox diets to help achieve physical and mental wellbeing.

We all have busy lives and although a 21-day detox is beneficial for your system, sometimes you just can’t make it work with your lifestyle. (like mine!) And I know how overwhelming detox plans can be—planning, shopping, preparing. Doing a detox for 21 days (or more) just doesn’t work for me. So, I put together some of my favorite foods that help to fuel and detox your body and am sharing it here. My goal is that you won’t be overwhelmed and you’ll actually do it regularly!

Along with drinking enough water and getting adequate sleep, there are real (and delicious) foods you can eat to help remove toxins from your body naturally. The idea here is to consume the items on this list below. It’s not a complete detox, but it’s easy and helpful. I love to buy enough and do it for 3 days which also a good way to jumpstart your weight loss. You can add the liver cleanse supplement and boost your results.

Are there other fruits and vegetables that help with detoxing? Sure, but I am busy so I’m only including my favorites and what I  can actually manage for a day (sometimes 2-3 days) of detoxing. It’s so easy I hope you incorporate these detoxing foods regularly!

  • Eggs runny yolks aid by scrubbing the toxins out of the liver.
  • Blueberries most nutrient-dense berries, and they can help with detox.
  • Strawberries can suppress appetite and help promote the growth of good gut bacteria.
  • Cranberries flush the kidneys, lymphatic system, and intestines of toxins.
  • Lemon works as a digestive and a detoxifying agent.
  • Grapefruits packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber.
  • Spinach gives you vitamin A and fiber (the more you eat, the more weight you will lose.)
  • Cruciferous Vegetables contain unique compounds that can help support your body’s ability to detox.
  • Cucumbers support the digestive tract and help to cleanse the liver.
  • Celery is an amazing blood purifier and eliminator of toxins.
  • Red onions are rich in sulfur compounds, anti-inflammatory agents, aids in detoxification and weight loss.
  • Raw Almonds, Walnuts & Seeds provide both protein and fiber and great to eat between meals to prevent hunger.
  • Salmon contains the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin great for detoxing
  • Organic yogurt for protein, healthy fat, probiotic and gut health. (Can be Greek. Must have 9g of sugar or less and eat in moderation if the goal is to lose weight.)
  • Apple Cider Vinegar detoxes your body, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels and aids in weight loss.
  • Little Choices Matter Seasonings makes clean cooking a delicious breeze!
  • Little Choices Matter Flavored Stevias are flavorful, sweet and easy to make your beverage or dish extra delicious.

Prepare these alone or combine these natural foods—whatever works for you. Do something simple or find a recipe you love. Keep in mind runny egg yolks scrub the liver more than cooked, and you will consume more nutrients by eating raw fruits and vegetables.

Detoxing is intended to flush toxins from the body, which requires drinking a lot of water. Drink 75-100 ounces of water over the course of each day you detox. Although you can do green tea, yerba mate or other natural teas, your water count should be water. You can add Little Choices Matter Flavored Stevias, lemon, grapefruit, cranberries, mint or cucumbers to your water.

Meal Ideas & Recipes

  • Start your day with juice from half of a lemon and warm water.
  • A smoothie with blueberries, strawberries, spinach, and yogurt.
  • Poached eggs
  • A yogurt and fruit bowl
  • A spinach salad with salmon & almonds (can use seasonings, extra virgin olive oil, and vinegar)
  • Mix cruciferous vegetables in smoothies and salads
  • You can often buy cruciferous vegetables chopped and ready to cook in the produce section of your grocery store. I will buy cauliflower rice and mix it with some greens. I fry them up together with seasonings – super easy!

NOTE: I often just sprinkle Little Choices Matter Seasonings over my salads or during cooking (so easy, yes?) but the recipes below include alternative seasonings.

Citrus Water

12-16oz of water
1/2 lemon
1/2 lime
8 mint leaves
1/2 grapefruit

This will aid removal of the toxins from your body. It will also help improve your energy levels during the day.

Hot Apple Cider

8-10 oz. hot water
2 tsp. Raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
1-2 tsp. freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp. ground Ceylon cinnamon
8-10 drops of liquid stevia, to taste

Variations:
Ceylon cinnamon is one of the best spices for balancing blood sugar and is highly recommended but you can also use cloves, nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie or apple pie seasonings.

Cranberry Water

1 oz 100% pure unsweetened cranberry juice
8 oz Water
Stevia, if desired

Fried Cabbage

2-3 cups cabbage, chopped
2-3 stalks celery
1/4 cup red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup water (increase if needed)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoon sea salt
pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

In a medium skillet, add EVOO and cook the celery red onion and garlic over low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir while cooking until the cabbage is done. Add more water and seasonings as desired.

Chopped Green Salad

1 cup kale or cabbage, chopped
2 cups spinach, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped – save the stems for the dressing
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cucumber, sliced
1/4 c. red onions, diced

Dressing
1/2 cup of broccoli stems
Juice from 1 lemon
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
2 Cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of oregano
1/2 teaspoon of celery salt
1 cup of water

Blend the dressing ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy. Drizzle dressing over the chopped greens and sprinkle with almonds, if desired.

Sweet Herb Vinaigrette

1 cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried parsley,
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
juice of 1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
¼ teaspoon liquid stevia extract

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Cover the jar, close tightly, and vigorously shake to blend all of the ingredients. Refrigerate. This vinaigrette can be used on any salad or as a vegetable marinade.

Lemony Braised Celery

8 stalks of celery
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pinch of salt
Pinch of ground pepper
1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ cup of vegetable stock

Cut celery into 1-inch slices on the diagonal. (Can also use leaves) Heat EVOO in a skillet over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes, or until celery is cooked to your likeness.

Mashed Cauliflower

1 Cauliflower
3 garlic cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon organic yogurt

Cook cauliflower in a pan of boiling water for 6-8 minutes. Drain the cauliflower.

While the cauliflower is cooking, add EVOO to a small saucepan and saute garlic for 2-4 minutes—until fragrant and tender. Remove from heat. Add the cauliflower, garlic butter, yogurt, and seasonings to a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth and fluffy.

Cucumber & Celery Salad

2 cucumbers, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup red onions thinly sliced

Dressing
3 tablespoons organic yogurt
3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Whisk together dressing ingredients in a bowl. Add chopped vegetables and onion then toss to combine.

Super Simple Salmon

6 ounces salmon
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1-2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice from a fresh lemon

Stir together the garlic powder, basil, and salt in a small bowl. Drizzle lemon juice over the salmon fillets and sprinkle with seasonings. 

Melt the EVOO in a skillet over medium heat and cook the salmon until flaky, (about 5 minutes per side)