Easy One Day Detox

This is an easy food based detox to restore your body and come back into balance. It’s a great way to stay healthy during the holiday season. Eating cleansing foods gives your organs a rest so they detoxify. The recipes are delicious and fill your body with nutrients. You’ll feel healthy and strong.

I love eating healthy food but during the holidays I like to indulge a bit; a little more dessert, wine and rich food.  But I also want to stay in balance. The best way I know to keep my body healthy while still enjoying the holiday celebrations is with this Easy 1 Day Detox.

You may say “What, detox in the middle of the holiday season?”  Yes, but just for 1 day. You can do it for 3 days if you want, but I find one day to be so easy and I feel restored.

Why Detox?

Detoxing doesn’t have to be a big deal. The truth is we’re detoxing all the time. Eating one day of cleansing dishes in the middle of the holiday festivities helps your body with the detoxification process. It keeps you healthy and prevents excess weight gain.

Detox Guidelines

The key to a one day detox is to eat light, especially in the evening.  If your body is not digesting at night the systems for cell rejuvenation, detoxification and tissue repair can work their magic. Eating a light dinner regularly is one of the ‘tricks’ to maintain your natural weight.

Foods To Avoid

• No commercial or processed meats
• No Diary – milk, cheese, yogurt, but ghee can be used
• No Sweeteners – that includes honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, white sugar, corn syrup
• No Gluten – breads, pastas, cereals
• No Vegetable Oils – soybean, canola, corn, peanut
• No Coffee, caffeinated teas or alcohol

Foods To Eat

• Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, etc.), sweet potatoes and more
• Fruit: berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries), cherries, pomegranate, citrus (lemon, lime, orange), avocado
• Nuts and Seeds: walnuts, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds, nut butters like almond butter or cashew butter
• Oil: extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee 
• Herbs and Spices: turmeric, ginger, basil, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, dill, and more
• Teas – dandelion, ginger, rooibos, Tulsi, mushroom teas

Protein – eat enough protein to stay strong but not too much. It’s only 1 day. You know how much protein you need. Listen to your body. Here are the proteins you can eat.

• Fish: salmon, tuna, trout, sardines, mackerel
• Chicken: organic, free range only
• Beans & Legumes: black beans, lentils, chickpeas and more

Drink Plenty of Water

Drink ½ your ideal body weight in ounces of water each day, starting with 8-12 ounces when you wake up, add lemon if desired.This is very important to flush toxins that have accumulated overnight in your body.

Drink 12 ounces of water 15-30 minutes before each meal. – Water before a meal allows your body to produce more digestive acids and enzymes, improving digestion.

Walk for 5-30 Minutes

Walk in the morning if possible. Do it even if it’s cold, dress warm. Walking or any movement in the morning helps reset your body’s natural normal cycle of cortisol. You’ll have more energy and sleep better.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Practicing alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana pranayama), oxygenates your blood and allows the energy (prana) in your body to be strong and flowing. It gives your body extra energy, calms your emotional state and boosts your thinking. Do 3-5 minutes of alternate nostril breathing in the morning and before bed.

Snack If Necessary

The goal is to lighten the load and consume less food. But it is important to listen to your body and snack if necessary. You don’t want to feel weak. Stay hydrated to keep your energy levels up. Listen to your body, if you need a snack, have it and enjoy it. Green juice, berries, and veggies dipped in one of the dressings below are good snacks.

Recipes For A One Day Detox

Here are a few recipes for you to choose from. Choose the ones you like the most and are easiest to make. Let it be easy.

Breakfast Recipes

Eat breakfast within 2 hours of waking to keep your metabolism strong. Below are a few choices. You can also eat any soup or smoothie for breakfast staying within the guidelines above.

Lunch and Dinner Recipes

The easiest way to do this detox is to make one soup and enjoy it for lunch and dinner.

For lunch, have a bowl of delicious soup. Eat it alone or if you need more food have a salad. You can use Balsamic Dressing or Carrot Ginger Dressing. Maybe add a poached egg or a little chicken, wild canned salmon or beans for more protein.

Eat the same soup for dinner. If you’re still hungry add steamed vegetables topped with Tahini Dressing or Cilantro Lime Tahini Dressing.  You’ll get additional detoxification from the cilantro.

Eat enough soup to feel satisfied. It’s okay to eat 2 bowls.

Here are 8 of my favorite detox soups to choose from for lunch and dinner. I recommend making one soup and eating it at both meals, but you can always make two. For additional soup recipe click here.

This One Day Detox will keep you in balance during the holiday season. You’ll love the way you feel after a delicious detox day. You can do it!

Throughout the day drink lots of water with lemon. I also like Tulsi tea or ginger tea to keep me warm.

If you’re inspired you can do the detox for 3 days. Let me know if you have questions or need support, leave a comment below and I will get back to you within 1 day.