Sometimes when we find ourselves feeling bloated, low on energy, unfocused or just not our best in general, it can help to take a good look at what we’ve been putting into our bodies. When we don’t like the way we feel, it might be time to hit the reset button with a vegan detox program that gives your body a much needed break from the bad—and a boost from the good.
What is the purpose of a vegan detox?
It’s an unfortunate fact that unhealthy chemicals and toxins are everywhere today. Our air, water and food are compromised with the byproducts of modern life.
Many people claim that a regular detox regimen works wonders for their energy and overall well-being, while others believe the body is designed to naturally cleanse and detoxify itself through its normal processes. The liver, kidneys, intestines, lymph nodes and skin all perform this essential function. Even the simple act of breathing out releases the waste product of carbon dioxide. The Hallelujah Diet surely agrees with the idea that God built a vessel that could adapt to and defend against the challenges of life in the physical world.
That being said, life is complicated. There are endless choices to be made and challenges to meet. Food has become as much a part of our lifestyle as it is a part of our survival. Food has also come a long way from the pre-industrial purity it once provided.
While there may be debate about the necessity of an occasional dietary detox, it’s always a good idea to eat right and support your body’s effort to eliminate potentially harmful substances from its systems and tissues.
Benefits of a vegan detox program.
Everyone is different, and so are the results they perceive from any change in dietary habits. People commonly report improved digestion, higher energy, weight loss, better sleep and healthier skin. Add to that what we know about a vegan diet’s ability to promote heart health, support the immune system and fight inflammation, and you have many good reasons to try it out.
The impact of different detox programs may not be defined and proven in a clinical sense, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t benefits to be realized by getting back to the basics and developing healthier eating habits.
Some tips for a successful vegan detox experience.
Eliminate meat, dairy and eggs
We are talking about a vegan detox, after all. But even if we weren’t, these items are among the first to be removed from your diet. Give your body a break from the sodium and cholesterol, not to mention the hormones and antibiotics thatthey may have been used to get them to market. Animal products make the digestive system work harder and create a lot of waste, so they have no place in a detox plan.
Load up on plant-based nutrients
It’s common for a cleanse or detox plan to start with one or more days of fasting. Aside from that, however, there is no reason to skimp on the plant-based nutrients that give you the vitamins, minerals, protein, soluble fiber, antioxidants, and so much more. As always, get your leafy greens, plant-based proteins and a colorful assortment of fruits and veggies.
Of course, we recommend juicing to get the full benefit of these foods, but a nice green smoothie without added sugar can be another tasty way to get your nutrients, especially with some select supplements, like those found in our Hallelujah Diet Super Deluxe Full Body Detox supplement kit.
Choose local, organic produce
Pesticides and preservatives are everywhere in the foods we eat. They introduce toxins to our bodies on a daily basis. Buying from a local farmer’s market or choosing organic produce in the grocery store lets you know your fruits and vegetables have been raised responsibly and intended to be eaten in their freshest state. Be especially aware of your sources of strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, grapes, peaches and tomatoes, as they are frequently raised with heavy pesticides.
Hydrate well
It’s hard to flush anything without enough water. Well-hydrated organs do their jobs better, and that includes the toxin-eliminating functions of the liver and kidneys. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day during a detox, and add more if you are exercising and sweating. If you get tired of water, try some herbal teas or fresh juices.
Avoid processed foods, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol
When the goal is to DE-toxify, why would you put preservatives, refined sugars, and other toxins into your body? Alcohol in particular makes your liver work overtime, which leaves it less time to clean out the other impurities in your system.
Get plenty of sleep
Quality rest is an essential part of a successful detox. Fortunately, most detox diets will eliminate most of the substances that keep us from enjoying the long, deep sleep our body needs to rejuvenate itself. Removing caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars and other agitating factors will make it easier to wind down and drift off.
Exercise
While a detox period is not the ideal time to break personal performance records, it’s good to get the blood pumping and the sweat flowing. Getting your heart rate up signals to the rest of the body that it’s time to work out the waste products.
If you are already a vegan or vegetarian, a moderate detox program will probably not be a drastic change from your daily routine, so these tips could serve just as well in optimizing your regular diet and health regimen.
It’s important to note that some people on a detox program do experience side effects such as headaches, fatigue, sleep problems, irritability or digestive issues. This can be frustrating because it feels like the exact opposite of why you’re doing a detox in the first place. The good news is that for most people, this is part of the process that leads to feeling better than ever on the other side.
Don’t forget, before making a major change in your diet and supplement routine, discuss it with your doctor or dietician.
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