The purpose of a detox diet is to rid your body of all the unhealthy substances, more commonly known as toxins. This diet helps to achieve three main benefits. They are:
- Stimulate the cleansing enzymes in the liver
- Keep the gastrointestinal tract fit by providing essential nutrients
- Flush out the toxins from the body
The following table describes the foods that are allowed and those that are restricted while on a detox diet:
| Foods Allowed | Foods Restricted |
| whole vegetables, leafy greens | dairy products, eggs |
| gluten-free grains, brown rice | gluten, wheat |
| stevia | processed sugar |
| apple cider vinegar, green tea | coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated beverages |
| chicken, turkey, fish | pork, beef |
| honey | sauces, pickles, ready-made salad dressing, mayonnaise |
| coconut oil | corn oil |
| whole fruits, nuts, seeds, berries | peanuts, creamed vegetables |
| beans, lentils | soy |
Following are a few recipes that may help in your detoxification process:
Smoothies and Shakes
Strawberry Smoothie
Strawberries have strong anti-infammatory and antioxidant properties.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cashew or nondairy milk of your choice
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 small orange (peeled)
- 1 banana
- 1½ cups loosely packed spinach
Method: Blend all the ingredients together.
Cilantro Shake
Cilantro has great detoxification and antioxidant properties.
Ingredients
- 1 cup nondairy milk of your choice
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 cup papaya (fresh, peeled, and diced)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ cup fresh or frozen mango (or peaches)
- 3 dates or stevia to taste
Method: Blend all the ingredients together to form a consistency.
Raw Soups
Healing Detox Soup
This soup gives your energy levels a boost and revitalizes you. The main ingredients are avocado and cucumber. Avocado is high in essential fatty acids and cucumber has cleansing properties. You can give this recipe a sizzling taste by adding the desired herbs and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 1 avocado
- ½ green pepper
- 2 handfuls of spinach
- ½ clove of garlic
- 2 spring onions
- 100 ml vegetable stock (yeast free)
- Soya sauce to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
Method: Blend the avocado and stock to form a light paste. Now, add all other ingredients to it and blend again.
Alkalizing Tomato Avocado Soup
A subtle soup that packs a nutritional punch. It gives you a filling and comforting feeling. You can have it either warm or cold.
Ingredients
- 5 large, ripe tomatoes (vine)
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 spring onion
- ¼ cup freshly ground almonds
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ¼ tsp. dill seed
- a dash of cayenne pepper
- sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Method: Blend all the ingredients together for a minute.
Salad dressing and Cooked Soup
Super Detox Sesame Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ jalapeno
- 2 tbsp. raw honey
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 packets stevia
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- a handful of fresh basil
Method: First, grind the sesame seeds into a fine powder. Then, add the rest of the ingredients and blend until a smooth consistency is formed. Pour this dressing over your favorite salad ingredients.
Broccoli Detox Soup
Ingredients
- ½ avocado
- 6-8 broccoli heads
- ½ red onion
- 1 celery stick
- a handful of spinach
- an inch of root ginger
- pepper or sea salt
Method: Lightly steam the broccoli for about 5-6 minutes, and blend in blender with other ingredients. Add pepper or sea salt to taste.
The aforementioned recipes mainly involve vegetables and fruits which you generally have at home. You can always mix such items in a number of combinations depending upon your taste.
