For me, lapses of energy for no apparent reason, pronounced mood swings, feeling uncomfortable in my body, aches and pains… are all signs that I need to unburden my body-mind of toxins. If you’re feeling any of these things on a regular basis, it might be a good idea to detox.
The detox programme I’m proposing – and which begins in 12 days time, (though you can of course download the information from this blog at a later date and follow it any time you like) is a relatively gentle one. It consists of gradually taking the main toxins out of the diet (and those foods and drinks that your system may be ‘fighting’ with) and, for 21 days, living on a healthy, nutritious diet without these foods.
The foods we take out are: meat and fish (as these often contain additives and are quite tiring for the body to digest), artificial additives of any sort, dairy products, wheat and gluten, sugar, caffeine and alcohol.
The effect? Though the withdrawal phase can be difficult, with ‘side effects’ such as tiredness and headaches, and food cravings, after a few days I tend to feel renewed energy, vigour, mental clarity and a growing ease in the body, which, long-term, should you choose to remain on the diet (which many people do, as you feel so good), tends to resume its natural, balanced state and any ‘lumps and bumps’ caused by a build-up of toxins tend to fall away.
This programme, however, is not for everyone. It does require a good level of health. And stamina. If you are a detoxing beginner, I recommend that you start by following a basic weekend detox – I’ll be doing one (accompanied by a daily blog) in early summer. Then you can do the 21-day programme later on, when your body has a better base level of toxicity.
And, though I am a trained complementary practitioner, I am not a medical doctor and so would also advise anyone with any health issues to check with their doctor before beginning a diet like this.
Tomorrow we’ll run through the format of the 21-day programme and then, on Monday, the 10-day countdown begins! If you’re not yet signed up to the blog, you can do so here.
Do you suggest this diet to be a permanent one? Did i get it right, that it is vegan? I for myself am vegetarian and was thinking of becoming vegan for a long time, but am always a little scared of losing all the animal fats and proteines, since I am a low blood pressure person…
Hi Jane. Thanks again for writing in. To answer your question, this detoxification programme is devised to help people’s systems ‘self correct’ in a way, by gently and gradually removing toxins from their diets over a period of a few weeks. Though there should be no reason why someone that is fit and healthy should not continue to eat in this way after the 21 days is up (as long as they take care to balance the nutrients they are receiving on a day-to-day basis, as of course we all need to do if we are to maintain a robust state of health), it is really intended as a short-term thing. Part of the reason for this is that, as you’ll find out if you decide to follow the programme, it requires quite a lot of ‘thinking ahead’. When I have busy days and am travelling, for instance, I have to ensure that I always have a little bag of nuts and seeds, some quality water, perhaps a Sesame Snap for a treat and a few other things, to ensure that I don’t get hungry, as most restaurants and cafes are not able to guarantee an absence of all the foods that are not allowed on this detox diet. Especially the artificial additives, I find!
And yes, you did get it right – we do take out dairy products, meat and for the full 21 days – so in effect it is vegan!
You make some interesting points about being vegan and blood pressure. Though my blood pressure is OK, it seems to suit my body best – and my mind – ie, I have an adequate supply of mental and physical energy – if I have a piece of organic, sustainably sourced fish once in a while rather than to be wholly vegan. I think it is so important to listen to our own inner wisdom (what I like to call our ‘inner compass’) rather than subscribe to someone else’s way of being – however persuasive their argument – it may not be right for us!
With regards to your low blood pressure, it might be an idea to ask your doctor her/ his advice with regards to you taking the items I mention – dairy, artificial additives, wheat and gluten, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, (and meat and fish, though this is of course not relevant to you) – out of your diet for 3 weeks. Because this, put simply, is what we are doing!
Very best of luck – and I look forward to hearing from you again.