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Spring Cleaning Begins with the Diet

March 1, 2017

Spring prompts many of us to consider a seasonal clean-eating effort to unwind from the indulgences of the Fall and Winter. These eight steps can help to guide you through your own Spring cleanse:

Jumpstart your Spring cleanse with 8 simple steps to refresh your diet, energize your body, and support natural detox—from pantry cleanouts to smoothies.

Start with your pantry.

Toss out foods that are stale or have sat untouched for too long. What about discarding some of the high-sugar, processed foods that have crept into the house? Unopened foods still within their “use by” dates can be donated to a food pantry.

Plan lunches and dinners.

Incorporate foods that support your body’s detoxification processes; focus on legumes or lean animal proteins, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, fresh herbs and citrus.

Take a break from caffeine and alcohol.

Though our morning cup of coffee and evening glass of wine provide us many benefits (energy, socialization, relaxation), their physiological impacts can lead to nervousness, anxiety, headache and other symptoms.

Start your day with a bowl or a smoothie.

Combine high-protein and antioxidant-rich foods into a smoothie or stir them in a bowl. Give this combination a try:

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit, including blueberries, unsweetened cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, chopped apple or pear (organic fruits are recommended)
  • ¼ lemon with rind (optional)
  • 2 TBS pumpkin, chia, ground flax, and/or hemp seeds
  • 2 TBS chopped walnuts or almonds
  • ¼ avocado
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
  • 1 scoop of protein powder ( organic un-denatured whey or plant-based, no sugars added.

Mix all ingredients in a bowl if you prefer to eat with a spoon. Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to hydrate the nuts and seeds, or refrigerate it overnight.

If you want to make a smoothie, combine all ingredients in a blender. Add ½ to 1 cup of water and blend until smooth, adjusting the water until you reach the desired consistency.

Other actions to help the body’s natural cleansing processes include:

Exercise outside in the fresh air.

Aim for 30 minutes daily of walking, jogging, or cycling to help optimize metabolism, stimulate blood flow, and reduce stress.

Sweat with a sauna

Research has shown that sweating in a sauna may enhance metabolic processes and support the detoxification of toxic chemicals and metals from the body.

Practice yoga

Making time for a few postures daily can help reduce stress and stimulate blood flow to your organs.

Get extra rest

Detoxification and elimination processes are complex at work while you sleep.

You May Also Like

Spring Cleaning: Clear Your Home, Mind, and Energy – DHW Blog

Embracing Seasonal Changes for Self-Care – DHW Blog

The Benefits of Eating Seasonally – DHW Blog

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