The liver, kidney, and intestines- this trio is mainly responsible for flushing out all the toxins with the help of external and internal body mechanisms. Normally, these would suffice. However, a potent cocktail of bad eating and sleeping habits and stress can overwhelm our body’s natural detoxification mechanism. Problems like obesity, depression, stomach issues, constant fatigue, brain fog, etc. are now only a drop in the ocean of complications caused by these unhealthy habits.
We must detoxify or cleanse our bodies to reset them to their original efficiency. It not only reduces the burden on our internal organs, but it also lends a helping hand in their processes.
This article provides a seven-day detox plan to rejuvenate your body and mind.
Before you begin
Starting detox cleanses for weight loss or general health can be a herculean task, especially for people who do not have the time or preference for healthier cuisine. So, before you get the ball rolling, prepare yourself. Buy all the ingredients a day or so beforehand. (Fresh ingredients have more nutrition.)
A week before your detox, incrementally reduce your consumption of alcohol, coffee, refined sugar, and junk food because a sudden transition to a different diet can throw you a curveball. You may experience stomach problems, headaches, and fatigue.
It may be very tempting to call it quits at the mere thought of spending one’s week drinking green sludge and bitter juices. But every juice is worth the squeeze. Consider this one week an investment in yourself, and mentally gear up for a week of zero meat, chocolate, caffeine, dairy, sugar, and wheat.
Day 1/7
Take the first steps of your 7-day detox cleanse with a cup of warm water upon waking with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice added to it. Lemon is a popular diuretic that is said to aid the kidneys in removing salt and water efficiently and prevent kidney stones. It is also a popularly known source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that detoxifies our body efficiently. This juice will improve your overall gut health and boost your energy.
Find out what other vitamins boost your energy.
Spend 30 minutes walking, jogging, or practicing yoga in your morning routine. They not only help burn calories but also boost your attention and mood.
Breakfast: Beet Smoothie
Blend chopped beetroot with mint leaves and a pinch of salt. Your liver will thank you for this. The anti-inflammatory benefits of beetroot are said to prevent obesity.
Fruit smoothies may cause a swift surge in blood sugar levels. So, vegetables are the preferred ingredients in detox smoothies.
Snack: A banana and a cup of pomegranate.
A fully liquid diet, although recommended by all detox gurus, doesn’t give you fiber. Also, since it is absorbed faster by the gut than solid foods, you might feel hungrier. So a solid snack should be taken to balance this.
Lunch: Green salad
You must grate beetroot and carrots and add chopped cabbage, spinach, and coriander leaves. Boil a cup of corn and add it to the mix. You can dress the salad with chaat masala, salt, or any other dressing you choose. Packed with antioxidants and nutrients, this herbal cleanse detox recipe keeps you fit as a fiddle.
Snack: A cup of green tea
An ode to this zero-calorie drink has already been written. Simply put, it is the best detox cleanse to lose weight.
Dinner: Carrot juice
Toss one sliced carrot and one peeled orange into the blender with water, coriander leaves, and 1 tbsp honey. The carotenoid present in this nutrient-rich vegetable fights the toxins that slow down the liver.
Day 2/7
Start your second day with Green tea. Drinking it first thing in the morning reduces hunger and stress. Follow this with 30 minutes of your preferred physical activity.
Breakfast: Spinach Smoothie
Blend baby spinach, water, and a few peeled apple pieces. You can add a banana to give it a creamy texture or replace it with an avocado or two peaches. Optionally, you can add lemon to balance the sweetness of the fruits.
Snack: A cup of yogurt topped with fruit (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, banana).
Lunch: Fresh Sprout Salad
Add finely chopped tomatoes, onions, carrots, and coriander leaves to a cup of sprouted green gram. You can add chaat masala, and one chopped green chili for taste.
Snack: Cinnamon Water
Place a cinnamon stick and mint leaves in a jar of water overnight and drink it cool. You can also add a few pieces of strawberry to this detox drink.
Cinnamon has antioxidants that increase metabolism and burn belly fat.
Dinner: Pineapple Lemonade
Toss a cup of chopped pineapple with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Optionally, you can also add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup.
Day 3/7
Set the tone for day 3 with honey, lemon, and ginger added to a glass of warm water. This juice increases your metabolism and reduces bloating. Follow this with 30 minutes of your preferred physical activity.
Breakfast: Celery Smoothie
Blend a cup of celery, a chopped green apple, a banana, spinach, 2 tbsp grated ginger, and water. However, it may look like a witch’s potion when you are done with it. This ‘celebrity’ green smoothie is popularly endorsed by many worldwide. And yes, it does live up to the hype. It is one of the best detox cleanse drinks.
Snack: A cup of fruit. Choose fruit with a low glycemic index, such as cherries, apples, strawberries, oranges, apricots, blueberries, etc. Learn more about the importance of GI in weight loss.
Lunch: Tomato juice
Blend chopped pieces of tomato and cucumber, along with a stick of leek and a few mint leaves.
Snack: A cup of green tea
Dinner: Vegetable Soup
Sauté the garlic and onions using healthy oils like olive or coconut oil. Later, toss in the cabbage, roasted tomatoes, carrots, celery, zucchini, apple cider vinegar (for the tang! ), and water. Add salt and pepper as needed.
Day 4/7
Take a plunge into day 4 with lemon and cucumber water. As the name suggests, you must cut and add cucumber and lemon to warm water. A hint of salt and a few mint leaves can also be added to this juice. You can also optionally replace plain water with this for the rest of the day. Follow this with 30 minutes of your preferred physical activity.
Breakfast: Aloe Smoothie
Blend 2 cups of coconut water, grated ginger, 2 tbsp aloe vera gel, 1 cup of pineapple, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp honey. You can also optionally top the smoothie with chia seeds.
Snack: Buttermilk
Lunch: Lettuce wrap
Make vegetable stuffing using chopped carrots, baby corn, and French beans. Take a lettuce leaf, add an even layer of plum sauce, spread the stuffing over it, sprinkle red garlic sauce and finely chopped spring onion greens over it, and roll it up.
Snack: A cup of turmeric tea
Dinner: Pumpkin lentil soup
Add chopped pumpkin, red lentils, grated ginger, and finely chopped onion and garlic to your soup pot, and step away.
Day 5/7
Fire up your fifth day with the same routine as day 3.
Day 6/7
Jumpstart day 6 with the same routine as day 2.
Day 7/7
Begin the final day with the same routine as day 1.
Curtains Drop
If you truly manage to do this without cutting corners, by the end of the week, you will feel refreshed physically and mentally. It's time to lay back and have a blast.
Try not to revert to your original dietary habits completely. Instead, include some green goodness in your meals. They provide the best detox cleanse for weight loss. Sleep and exercise are not overrated. Your body and brain need adequate sleep to function. Incorporate meditation, yoga, or other stress-relief activities as part of your daily routine to detox your mind.
To find out other ways to stay healthy this year, click here.