| Give your body a break! |
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| At this time of year, you can scarcely move for celebrity-endorsed detox diets, treatments and books. There are numerous regimes to ’rid the body of the poisons and harmful chemicals’ accumulated during the Christmas holiday. So in an effort not to miss out, many of us arm ourselves with the latest “must-have” detox package, seldom stopping to wonder what is actually in those strange looking powders and potions, and whether they really are the best step into 2009. |
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| Oh that life was so easy, or detoxing for that matter! The thing is - a detox pack wont make up for poor dietary choices, a sluggish digestive system, too much alcohol and a lack of exercise. Even special juice blends of pomegranate, star fruit, acai berries or any other trendy "superfoods" do not have magical powers to remove toxins from the system. |
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| As leading scientists and health professionals repeatedly point out in January every year, there is no real foundation to the detox industry’s claims. Despite their emphasis on “natural” treatments, the detox merchants seriously undersell the human body’s natural capacity to “detoxify” itself through our own gut, liver and kidneys — at no extra cost! | | | | If you do want to give your liver a hand, the best advice is to steer clear of the magic potions, ease off the alcohol for a while, drink more water and get a little more sleep for a few weeks. |
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These detox packs are often supported by starvation diet and can result in rapid weight loss followed by weight gain, headaches, nausea and fatigue for many. Not a great start to 2008!
The fact is, our bodies are perfectly capable of detoxing and getting rid of waste themselves. However, a there are a few things we can do to support this process and to give the body a break after the excesses of Christmas.
Giving up alcohol, for instance, eases the load on your liver, while cutting back on caffeine if you’ve become over reliant on your cuppa is a good start.
Think of it as a holistic lifestyle approach. We know that sensible food and lifestyle choices reduce your exposure to toxins, as well as strengthening and supporting your organs to efficiently release, then remove, toxins from your system. The results will be improved sleep, reduced stress, increased energy, a faster metabolism, better digestion, rejuvenated skin and maybe even a bit of weight loss!
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| New Year Cleansing Plan |
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| Here are some goals to aim for that should leave you feeling healthier, fitter and those Christmas excesses will be a distant memory! |
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| Reduce your alcohol intake |
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 | January and February are usually quiet months, so they present perfect opportunity to give your liver a rest. If you usually have a few drinks at home during the week, try to make a conscious effort not to do this for a whole month. |
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| Save your glass of wine or beer for the weekends with dinner – you’ll appreciate it more! Some people buy less but spend more on a really good quality wine so they don’t feel they’re missing out. You’ll also cut down on calories which will help to shift any extra pounds that Santa gave you for Christmas. |
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| Increase your water intake |
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| Water is vitally important for good health. It regulates the body temperature and aids the liver and kidneys in processing body toxins. Eight glasses or cups (250ml each) of water or tea a day is the target. One of these glasses might also be a juice or a glass of milk. |
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| Eat a rainbow everyday |
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| The more colourful the food we eat, the more packed with vitamins and minerals it will be, helping you to build up your nutrition levels again since they may be a little low after a few too many Christmas tipples! There are bound to be special offers on fruit and vegetables at the moment, as supermarkets support our good intentions to start the New Year with a health kick, so fill your trolley with every colour of the rainbow and save yourself a bit of cash too! |
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| Spring clean your kitchen cupboards |
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| It might not quite be Spring yet, but there’s no better time to have a good clear out and get rid of all the less nutritious surplus food left over from Christmas. If you have excess chocolate, crisps, sweets and biscuits around the house, get it out of the house. If it’s not there, you can’t eat it! |
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| And finally... |
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| Start your day with a wholegrain breakfast cereal for a healthy digestive tract. |
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| Focus on low Gi carbs throughout the day for good control of blood sugar and your appetite. |
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| Eat more plant proteins at lunch e.g. peas, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds. |
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| Eat more of the right types of fats as mid afternoon snacks e.g. a handful of nuts instead of a pastry or biscuits. |
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| Include a small portion of lean protein in your evening meal: lean red meat approx 3 times per week, oily fish approx twice a week, chicken and eggs and pulses the remainder of the time. |
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| Become a conscious eater, not a yo-yo dieter in 2009. |
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| Happy New Year! |
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