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Vegetable & Fruit Detox

Poor eating habits can make people feel run down and have physical side effects like bad skin, headaches, digestive problems and more. A detoxification diet of fruits and vegetables can help people deal more effectively with stress by giving them renewed energy and a cleaner digestive tract.

  1. Detox Diet

    • Before starting any type of diet, consult a doctor. In a detoxification diet, the eater stops overloading her body with toxins from foods she consumes every day. Instead, she starts to give her body the nutrients it needs to eliminate old toxins and speed up cell renewal in the body. Antioxidants are some of the most important nutrients people can eat. They help eliminate free radicals in the body and discourage against diseases like cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants are found in abundance in fresh fruits and vegetables, making them vital to a detox diet. The diet should last from one to two weeks before expanding to include other healthy foods. During detox, drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day, but more is better.

    Vegetables

    • Vegetables should be one of the staples of a detox diet. Cooking vegetables removes some of their nutritional benefits, so eating raw is the most effective way to go. Vegetable juices are very nutritious as well, and can add some variety to a detox diet. Vegetables make excellent soups, from carrot to broccoli. Get creative with salads to avoid boredom. Try salads that use veggies and flavors from different parts of the globe. Different types of lettuce can change the flavor of a salad as well. Steaming vegetables is the best way to eat them non-raw. Chew all vegetables well to assist the body in the breakdown process. Leave the skin on most of the vegetables, because so many of the nutrients are found in the skin. Be aware that vegetables eaten in large quantities can cause gas, bloating and additional bowel movements at first. After several days, the symptoms will pass.

    Fruits

    • Fruit is the other staple of a detox diet, and can provide plenty of vitamins and fiber. Fruits can also be helpful in taming a sweet tooth. Fresh fruits provide the most benefit, along with fresh fruit smoothies and juices. Fruit salads add some variety. All fruits are fair game, but particularly beneficial to detox diets are white grapes, apples and pears. They are easily digestible and high in fiber. Detox diets that include fruit help with liver detoxification.

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