Shopping for Detox
We have compiled a general list of items that are good things to consume during detox. This is by no means a comprehensive listing but should give you enough direction and give you several options to have a healthy trip through the grocery store.
WHAT TO BUY:
Rather than listing every item as organic, please know that during detox, you are removing impurities, so it is best to avoid adding more toxins by using conventionally-grown foods. We definitely endorse organic whenever possible, but there are some fruits and veggies that have less pesticides. If money is a factor, refer to the dirty dozen and clean fifteen charts to see which are the most important to buy organic.
Try and purchase the dirty dozen items organically to avoid the highest pesticide levels.
Green leafy veggies – iceberg lettuce doesn’t count! Dark green lettuces like Romaine, green leaf, arugula, butterhead, etc. Spring Mix is a good mixture of them. Spinach and Swiss Chard are also good green options. These are rich in chlorophyll and alkalinize the blood, and the fiber keeps the colon happy.
Cruciferous green leafy veggies – kale, mustard greens, collard greens, cabbage, and broccoli.
Sulfur-rich vegetables – Brassicas – cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and related vegetables. Also Alliums – onions, shallots, garlic, leeks. Your body needs sulfur to create glutathione – one of the powerhouse antioxidants for detox!
Other negative-calorie veggies – Celery, radishes, cucumbers, etc. Negative calories just means it burns more calories to digest them than they contain. They are full of phytochemicals and nutrients and insoluble fiber, too.
Additional vegetable suggestions – artichokes, asparagus, beets, butternut squash, carrots, eggplant, green beans, Daikon radish, Jicama, Peppers, Pumpkin, Summer Squash like zucchini and yellow squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes.
Fresh herbs of any kind are awesome and encouraged.
Fruits – apples, apricots, pomegranate, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, kiwi, mango, melons, oranges, papaya, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums, raisins.
Lemons, limes, oranges – citrus fruits are beneficial cleansers. Lemon will be used daily in lemon water.
Seeds – hemp, flax, chia – healthy fats
Nuts & avocado – almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pine nuts, cashews – healthy fats and fiber
Oils – Unrefined, virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, high lignan flaxseed oil, unrefined sesame seed oil, MCT oil
Lean proteins – Choose from: organic free-range eggs, fresh, wild-caught fish, organic plain yogurt, organic beef, chicken, and turkey
Collagen powder and Protein powder – be sure and get a healthy variety from a trusted source. Avoid fillers and artificial sweeteners at all costs.
Pure cranberry juice – Knudsen’s has the best out there. It is expensive, but it will be diluted and will go a long way. Recipe will follow in Daily Tips.
Detox teas – Dandelion Spice Detox Tea by Yogi, regular Detox Tea by Yogi, Detox Support by Triple Leaf, or any teas that contain dandelion and milk thistle for liver support.
Honey and Stevia – natural sweeteners that do not spike blood sugar too dramatically
Himalayan Sea Salt – replace regular white salt – during detox and ALWAYS!
WHAT NOT TO BUY:
Don’t freak out – just remember this is a temporary time period of 7, 14, or 21 days.
- Consume no processed foods during detox – basically no ingredient list longer than 5 items is a good general rule
- Avoid dairy products like milk and cheese (yogurt and kefir do not apply)
- Avoid or limit caffeine – you do not have to completely eliminate but keep it minimal
- Avoid alcohol of all kind- completely – no wiggle room here. We are cleansing the liver and alcohol completely defeats that purpose.
- Avoid added sugar.
- ALWAYS avoid artificial sweeteners like aspartame, Splenda, acesulfame, etc.
- NO sodas – added sugars and artificial sweeteners = no bueno