The Benefits of A Natural Cleansing Diet

As you know, we focus here on the natural side of reducing your toxic load - removing toxins from your home and your body, and minimizing the toxins you inflict upon the larger environment around you. One of the best ways to remove toxins from your body is to put good, clean foods into it, and allow your body to complete its own natural detoxification process. Your body has its own built-in system for removing toxins, but the system can often become overwhelmed due to the sheer amounts of chemicals you are exposed to on a daily basis. Giving it a good, clean diet is the best way to let your body cleanse and repair itself naturally, and regain its true healthy state.

Image via WikipediaThe first step in starting a natural cleansing diet is to eliminate bad foods from your diet. This includes alcohol and caffeine. The reason why we feel so bloated and groggy after a night with alcohol is because our bodies are not designed to digest the large amounts of sugars and processed ingredients that are in alcohol. Caffeine may keep us awake, but it also wreaks havoc on our digestive tract and increases bowel movements unnecessarily. Some healthy alternatives to coffee and soda are herbal teas and green juices.

These holistic options help our bodies return to a natural state of energy. After two weeks of drinking herbal teas and juices in place of your prior caffeinated fixes you will discover you have substantially more energy to get you through the day. Water is also a vital part of any natural cleansing diet. Water is needed to flush the waste out of the cells and tissues. A person should drink at least half their body weight in ounces each day in water. This means that if you weigh 200 pounds then you should drink at least 100 ounces of water. As part of this diet you should eat only fruit before noon each day. Fruits are loaded with natural sugars and fiber to help curb sweet and hunger cravings.

Image by kahala via FlickrWhen an afternoon snack attack hits reach for unsalted walnuts or almonds. Both are an excellent energy source and are helpful in detoxing your body. Other healthy snack options include unsalted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. For lunch and dinner replace your carbohydrate side with a vegetable. Broccoli, onions and artichokes are all beneficial in a colon cleansing diet. Dark, leafy greens will offer your body additional nutrients it needs. Garlic is a wonder food that when minced offers powerful nutrients to heal and restore your body. Safe alternatives to wheat products include quinoa, brown rice or buckwheat. Eating meals at the same time every day will allow you to improver your body's ability to digest foods. The better digestion you have, the easier it will be for your body to absorb the nutrients it needs.

At the end of the 30 days you will feel rejuvenated and full of energy. Fatigue, irritability and poor skin complexion will be things of the past.


Article contributed by: Yuri Elkaim, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and co-creator of the cleansing program called the Total Wellness Cleanse. Visit http://www.totalwellnesscleanse.com to get started with his FREE "Toxic Side of Food" e-course and discover how to cleanse your body today!