EATING WHILE DETOXING
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.
One of the questions I am often asked is “What can and can’t I eat while detoxing?” There are many different opinions about what to eat and what not to eat. I have found that what is best to eat during a detox is what is best to eat in general. Basically, eat foods that are as close to the way God made them as possible. Try not to overcook or undercook your food. Avoid denatured and artificial ingredients as much as possible. Eating in moderation and eating a wide array of foods in season are also good ideas to keep in mind.
While many prominent people have promoted the avoidance of meat, I have not found this necessary or beneficial for most people. In fact, many people are not getting enough healthy protein in their diets. Most people who come to me have been consuming a high carbohydrate diet, and they are not doing well. I believe God created us to eat the foods He created. God created fruits trees and veggies, and He created cattle to graze in pastures. We were not created to consume lab-created products labeled as foods that are “natural.” While these products may come from nature, they are far from natural.
You do not have to completely eat “clean” food. But it is good to make strides toward decreasing the consumption of the foods on the list to avoid. The cleaner people eat, the better they support their bodies’ natural detoxification system. That said, we also need to enjoy life. For most people, it’s okay to occasionally have treats and foods on the list to avoid. If you have a more serious condition, you may need to avoid the unhealthy foods as completely as possible, in addition to some on the list to enjoy.
It’s important to keep in mind that what to eat and what needs to be avoided depends on the person. Always avoid foods you are sensitive or allergic to. Here are some basic guidelines I follow.
AVOID OR MINIMIZE CONSUMPTION OF:
1. Processed foods, like French fries, potato chips, crackers, cookies, and other sugary foods, as well as processed meats and cheeses.
2. Unhealthy fats or oils, like canola, corn, soy, and vegetable oils.
3. Dairy products like milk, sugary yogurts, and processed cheese.
4. Most protein powders – they often contain fillers and genetically modified ingredients, and they may contain herbicides and pesticides as well as synthetic ingredients, even though they claim to be packed with “healthy protein.”
5. I’m also not a fan of artificial meats and cheeses because they often contain many chemicals and are often derived from genetically modified organisms.
6. Most grains, like wheat, oats, barley, rye, and rice (except for wild rice).
7. Minimize caffeine by avoiding coffee, energy drinks, and soda pop.
8. Alcohol generally contains artificial ingredients, pesticides, herbicides, a large amount of sugar, along with the alcohol content, which is very hard on the liver and counterproductive when trying to detox.
9. Drinking tap water or minimally filtered water.
ENJOY:
1. Mostly organically grown vegetables and fruits.
2. 100% grass-fed meats, like beef, bison, and lamb (Note: If the meat label doesn’t say “100% grass-fed,” the animals may have been fed GMO corn or grain to prepare them for market.)
3. Wild caught fish, like salmon.
4. Eggs, preferably pasture-raised, organic eggs.
5. Healthy fats, like grass-fed butter, unrefined organic coconut oil, and good quality organic extra virgin olive oil.
6. Wild rice and quinoa, occasionally.
7. Distilled water as much as possible. Why? Check out this article.
You can see that detoxing doesn’t need to be a highly restrictive venture to be successful. I have been working to support my body’s ability to detox for the past few years. I have successfully gotten rid of oodles of parasites and toxins without having to go on crazy-restrictive diets. There are many wonderful foods to enjoy, and I can have some on the list of foods to avoid now and then. I would say I strive to eat clean 85-90% of all the time. When I am doing a detox program, I shoot for 90% or better. There is wiggle room to enjoy treats within reason now and then.
You may find the Environmental Working Group’s 2023 Shopper Guide to Pesticides in Produce helpful when doing your grocery shopping. The list contains the “dirty dozen” produce that were found to have the most chemicals present on or in them. I would seek to purchase the organic version of the produce listed on their guide whenever possible.
Lastly, I think we all know that we were created to eat food, real food. The more we honor our Creator and how we are created, the better off we will be.
Blessings always,
-Anita