How-to: do a DIY detox
30 Jan 2012 09:02 AM | Posted by bh'sLeanne
Time to give your digestive system a break?
If you’ve been feeling tired and sluggish lately and your hair and skin have seen better days, it could be time for a detox. Detox benefits are significant – from increased energy levels and better digestion to more radiant skin and clearer eyes, you’ll just love the results. Here’s how you can achieve them yourself…
1. Switch to brown foods – cut out refined starch from your diet. Refined starch appears most commonly in foods such as white bread, potato chips and white pasta. It is higher in sugar and therefore can have an energy-draining affect on the body. Instead swap white bread for brown, wholegrain bread and white pasta for wholemeal pasta. Brown, wholemeal foods have a lower Glycemic Index, which means they release energy slowly and steadily throughout the day, to keep you going strong.
2. Get raw – raw foods have powerful cleansing properties so try to incorporate them wherever possible in your diet. Snack on raw celery and capsicum sticks and eat a raw fruit salad for dessert. If you struggle to fit raw foods in, try juicing them into a sweet delicious morning drink you can have with your breakfast.
3. Help your liver do its job – our body cleanses through the liver and things such as alcohol and foods high in refined sugar and saturated fat can hamper the liver’s ability to function properly, so cut them out of your diet or reduce significantly.
4. Choose organic, natural foods – when you’re in the supermarket, be a more vigilant shopper. Read labels and look for foods that are free from additives and preservatives, which can build up in your system over time and hinder the body’s natural cleansing abilities. When you’re buying fresh, opt for fruit and veggies that are pesticide free by buying from the organic section. Having your own veggie patch and shopping at farmer’s markets is also a great way to ensure you’re eating organic.
5. Up your water intake – if you want to know how to detox effectively, the answer is – by drinking lots of water! Water helps flush toxins from the body so it’s one of the most important tools in a detox plan. Try to drink at least 8-10 glasses every day while you’re detoxing to help your body clear itself out, naturally.
Member Comments
(16)
Posted by:
Ljene
(Australia)
On a detox, it's also important to cut out the caffeine culprits. And if you do, you'll feel absolutely terrible for the first few days as your body gets used to life without the coffee wake-up. Stick with it.
Posted on:
January 30, 2012 (Jan 30, 2012 1:28pm)
Posted by:
Princess Fiona1
(Member since 2007, Australia)
Im trying to cut down on my coffee intake...While I feel that im generally very healthy (ok, im not a saint, and do eat the some bad food, but generally very little), and have heaps of fruit (self declared fruit-pig), I rarely drink, I dont smoke and I exercise....coffee is one of my only sins (ok, ok, ok, I do love chocolate and cheese too), so Im not really willing to give it up completely, but at least just cut down to 2 cups per day.... so far so good!
Posted on:
January 30, 2012 (Jan 30, 2012 4:55pm)
Posted by:
missgabrielle
(Australia)
I'm doing detox soon! raw raw raw to cleanse my body :)
Posted on:
February 01, 2012 (Feb 1, 2012 6:19pm)
Posted by:
Chantelle378
(Australia)
Lots of useful tips, I might start a detox soon :)
Posted on:
February 02, 2012 (Feb 2, 2012 8:22pm)
Posted by:
Marlene597
(Australia)
I do a DIY Detox bath with supermarket ingredients, 1 cup seasalt, 1 cup epsom salts, 2 cups of baking soda, i mix it up, this gives me about 8 baths! I even add pink food colouring to make my mixture look pretty. Boosts metaboism, burns calories, mental clarity, cleans my skin and makes my skin feel smooth. It is also a great exfoliant using a mit in the bath. Very little cost for a great result
Posted on:
February 02, 2012 (Feb 2, 2012 9:28pm)
Posted by:
Discomilk
(Australia)
Water is the best detox of all! Squeeze some lemon juice in a jug of water and serve it at dinner to help digest your food and cleanse your system.
Posted on:
February 03, 2012 (Feb 3, 2012 9:28pm)
Posted by:
Rpear
(Australia)
Oh I love this article! I have just been feeling a but guilty about my pizza take up dinner last week (was once a weekly treat but now is more like 2 or 3). water is something I have been trying to make a conscience effort to drink more of....luckily growing up, mum made me only eat brown grains etc so now I dont know any different. I have also replaced sugar in tea and coffee with honey!
Posted on:
February 04, 2012 (Feb 4, 2012 11:28am)
Posted by:
Senorita
(Australia)
Great article
Posted on:
February 04, 2012 (Feb 4, 2012 6:05pm)
Posted by:
JessicaDaisy
(Australia)
I am addicted to water fruit and vegies, cant get enough of them, but I am also a sucker for chocolate... 3pm is a killer. I am going to try an apply all these tips, thanks!
Posted on:
February 08, 2012 (Feb 8, 2012 3:17pm)
Posted by:
Ms Jelena
(Australia)
Such a useful article, might give some of these a go :)
Posted on:
February 09, 2012 (Feb 9, 2012 10:36pm)
Posted by:
Green_Jaguar
(Australia)
Excellent blog Leanne. I am inspired to now plan a detox. I think that everyone should have one day a week when they only have juice and water. It gives the liver a chance to pick up.
Posted on:
February 12, 2012 (Feb 12, 2012 2:52pm)
Posted by:
Sallyanne stevens
(Australia)
I love this, and I can't wait to try it myself. Thanks for the hot tips and how to. You've been a big help, and such a better way than those detox drinks or tablets.
Posted on:
February 20, 2012 (Feb 20, 2012 11:22am)
Posted by:
Chicklet
(Member since 2008, Australia)
Sounds like it would be quite energising.
Posted on:
March 07, 2012 (Mar 7, 2012 11:29pm)
Posted by:
noobasauras
(Australia)
oooo.. sounds good!
Posted on:
March 20, 2012 (Mar 20, 2012 2:58pm)
Posted by:
cherie470
(Australia)
Water is so so so important during a detox. Cut out the caffeine too....gave me headaches when i kicked my coffee habit but it's the best thing i've done!
Posted on:
March 27, 2012 (Mar 27, 2012 11:00pm)
Posted by:
Genevieve1992
(Australia)
This sounds good, thinking I shall be trying it in the near future!
Posted on:
April 19, 2012 (Apr 19, 2012 7:00pm)
Posted by: Ljene (Australia)
On a detox, it's also important to cut out the caffeine culprits. And if you do, you'll feel absolutely terrible for the first few days as your body gets used to life without the coffee wake-up. Stick with it.
Posted on: January 30, 2012 (Jan 30, 2012 1:28pm)