4-Day Detox Plan

A detox plan is designed to rid your body of impurities and toxins that can make you feel fatigued throughout your day. A four-day detox program is effective in helping you improve immune system function, improve metabolic function and restore your liver and kidneys to optimal functioning. Always consult with your doctor before starting a new diet or weight-loss program.

Exercise

• When you start a detox program, you don't want a heavy load of activities because you can often feel sluggish from the toxins being released into your system. As a result, try to plan a detox over a long weekend or when you have light days at work. That being said, you don't want to be lethargic through the process. Moderate exercise or activity in the morning will increase circulation, which, in turn helps your body flush out the toxins you release during the detox. It doesn't matter what you do, but get out and do something. This may be a brisk walk, a bicycle ride or other aerobic activity. If you feel light-headed when exercising, stop and sit down. This may be a side effect of the detox.

Metabolic Boost and Cleanse

• During each day of the detox you will do several things to improve your metabolic function and cleanse your body. The first thing to do after you exercise is to give your body a metabolic boost by drinking the juice of half a fresh lemon mixed with 300 ml of hot water before breakfast. Between breakfast and snack, you will flush your system daily with 400 ml of water and do the same again after you snack to cleanse your body. After lunch, you will drink another 300 ml of water daily and repeat this after your snack and before dinner. After dinner, drink an herbal tea, such as chamomile tea.

Food

• The food is very specific in this diet to maximize caloric intake, increase antioxidant intake and toxic release. Breakfast on the first day consists of two pieces of fruit with 3 tbsp. sugar-free muesli, 1 tbsp. flaxseed oil and 2 tbsp. goat's milk yogurt. Breakfast on the second day consists of muesli containing rolled oats, toasted almonds and rice milk with a grated apple. On the third day, eat baked beans with steamed spinach and have a mushroom, spinach and tomato omelet on the last day.

  Lunch on the first day contains lentil, caper and sage salad on beetroot. For the second day, eat a salad with tomato, carrot, rocket, sprouts, an egg, avocado and chickpeas. On the third day, eat three spring rolls with tamari. For the fourth lunch, make a salad with green lentils with roast pumpkin, spinach and lemon juice.

  Dinners are low fat with grilled chicken on spinach, walnuts, apple and sweet potato. On the second day, you will consume salmon with bok choy, rice noodles and tamari. For your third dinner, make stir-fry vegetables with chicken and rice. On the last day, eat grilled vegetables with humus and snapper.

Snacks

• Morning snacks should be miso soup on the first two days with mixed berries on the third day. The fourth day's snack is an orange. The afternoon snack should be almonds and prunes on the first day, carrot and celery with humus on the second, an apple and smoked tofu on the third, with an apple and mixed nuts on the last day.