How to Prepare for a simple detox or cleanse

If you’ve never withdrawn from food or done a fast or detox of any kind it can be quite intimidating. Not only are there a myriad of ways to do it, but how and when to begin, and what to do before and after are rarely ever discussed. Regardless of the type of detox you decide to do, there are a few key, fundamental things to prepare for so that you really do reap the full benefits of the process.

Assuming you are not currently on a 100% vegan raw diet, the preparation is mostly the same no matter the type of detox you do. It’s not healthy to go from eating a diet of cooked, processed, manufactured food to one of abstinence, liquids or produce. To prepare yourself gradually, here are a few key tips:

   1. Plan your cleanse 3-4 days before you want to start, so that you can start eating transitional meals. If you consume meat/fish/chicken, remove meat from your diet 3 or 4 days out. The most important considerations will be
      a) What type will you do?,
      b) How long will it be for and
      c) How will it affect your schedule and routine?

   2. Two days before your cleanse avoid any food that you haven’t prepared yourself (fast food, restaurant food, frozen meals, canned, boxed, etc). The additives and preservatives in processed foods will be one of the things you’ll be detoxing from, so begin communicating with your body to let it know that change is coming.

   3. The day before your cleanse eat a raw food diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouted grains and soaked nuts. This will give you the nutrients you need and also help you to feel full. You should also eliminate any sodas, coffees, sugars, etc. This “day before” preparation is critical.

   4. Start Smart. I won’t outline the types of detox you should do here because you really should consult a health practitioner to determine what’s best for you given your past eating patterns. Whichever you choose, be sure that you transition out of it the same way that you transitioned into it, in reverse order.

Use the period of cleansing as a motivator to propel you to your next healthy step. Let it be the *spark* that eliminates old eating habits for better ones.

Comments

[julye]

Thank you for the tips Beatrice!