Look and Feel Your Best: Four Healthy Ways to Detox

Author: Shannon Boyce

Have you tried a detox before? One that helps your body remove toxins over a set period of time? These are becoming more and more common. If you have found yourself feeling drained, sluggish, or dealing with digestive issues, a detox may be in order. The idea is to cleanse your body of anything harmful to help it work as effectively as possible. Don’t be fooled by the detox teas, pills, or shakes you see advertised on social media or lining store shelves. Usually, they come with big claims (like “Lose 10 Pounds in One Week!”) but those kinds of detox products can be dangerous. Many contain laxatives and other ingredients that can cause gastrointestinal problems as well as nausea and vomiting. Don’t let that happen to you! There are many ways to detox your body in a healthy way. Increase your energy levels, feel better, and start living a health-conscious life with these four healthy ways to detox. 

Start by Increasing Your Water Intake

Water. Rarely do we manage to get enough. In fact, studies have shown that a whopping 43% of adults drink less than four cups of water per day. While your intake needs can vary based on a number of factors…four cups are simply not enough. Are you part of that 43% statistic? Make a change. Not drinking enough water could be impacting your digestion. Water helps your kidneys flush out waste from the blood. When you fail to drink enough, that waste builds up, impacting your kidney function. So, start your detox by drinking plenty of water. You want to aim for approximately eight glasses per day. (Each glass should be about eight ounces.) This will help flush out toxins. It will also keep you hydrated and ensure that your bowels are moving as they should. Want to kick your detox up a notch? Just add lemon slices to your water bottle. Lemon water has a number of health benefits. It is known to aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, boost your immune system, and give you more energy.

Be Sure to Eat More Fibrous Foods

Fibre is an important aspect of our diet. Despite this, many of us struggle to incorporate enough of it into our daily meals. Make a conscious effort to change that. Fibre helps the colon work properly and keeps things moving in a healthy way. It can also prevent related issues like cramping and stomach pain. Do what you can to focus on your fibre intake each and every day. Choose fibrous foods like avocados, apples, beans, kale, spinach, and pears. You can eat them on their own or add them to your favorite recipes. Tasty food that is high in fibre. Not a bad way to detox! If you’re having a hard time tracking your fibre intake, download a food or calorie tracking app. Most of them will provide a general breakdown of your food, which makes it easier to see where you could improve your day-to-day diet.  

Ditch Any and All Processed Items

Processed foods can be quick and convenient. And well, sometimes delicious! Unfortunately, rarely are processed foods considered healthy or nutritious. These foods tend to have high levels of sodium, sugar, and fat. Eating these types of foods can lead to weight gain, heart problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Reducing or eliminating as many processed foods as possible is beneficial in every imaginable way. Want to detox in a healthy way? Get rid of those processed meals and frozen foods. Stick to whole foods instead. Fill up your shopping cart with fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats, and whole grains the next time you visit the grocery store. They are much better for you than those grab-and-go-dinners. Remember, the more whole foods you eat and the less processed foods you consume, the better off you will feel. Your skin, hair, and body will thank you for all of the extra effort. 

Try These Detoxifying Fruits and Vegetables

Some foods are better than others. Especially when you are in the middle of a detox. Here are a couple of foods to add to your next shopping list. They include: Goji berries (these are full of vitamin C, which helps to remove waste from the body), pineapple (bromelain is found in pineapple, which improves digestion), apples (rich in both vitamins and fibre) and beets (they have iron, zinc, and calcium, which helps remove toxins). Other excellent choices include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, and carrots. Get creative and include some of these detox friendly fruits and vegetables into your next dish. 

Forget the quick fixes and flashy packaging. The best ways to detox involve healthy foods and mindful lifestyle choices. Whether you start with one of these detox suggestions or embrace all four …the most important thing to do is start.

Author bio: Shannon Boyce is a freelance writer and editor. She has written for more than 30 online publications with pieces covering a wide range of topics, including beauty and lifestyle.