7 Detox Foods to Add to Your Diet for Optimal Health

7 Detox Foods to Add to Your Diet for Optimal Health

Try eating clean rather than just telling yourself what can’t have. Detox foods can help. Big time.

 

January is a time of year to do a good old spring cleaning of the system. It’s about giving your body a break after a season of over indulgence. And that doesn’t have to mean cutting everything out in lieu of a few cold pressed juices each day. It opens the door to binge eating once you just can’t take it anymore. Instead, why not consider adding these detox foods to your diet?

1. Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are one of my favorite detox foods, and they’re also quite popular for this reason. Specifically, they detox the liver which is the body’s most important detoxifying organ. Cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, broccoli, kale and collard greens, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.

2. Legumes

Replace animal protein sources with legumes like black beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, and adzuki beans to give your body an opportunity to push out junk. Meat and dairy can get stuck in your system for long periods of time because they don’t have fiber. It’s not that you have to give up animal products completely, but taking a break is a great idea.

3. Green tea

Take a few weeks and see what starting your day with green tea instead of coffee does for you. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and it’s one of the most detoxifying foods. It improves brain function, weight loss, and reduces your risk of cancer.

4. Dark chocolate

That’s right, chocolate. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants but it’s important that you choose dark chocolate that’s at least 60 percent cocoa. Milk chocolate is not dark chocolate and if it’s too sweet it’s less beneficial. Dark chocolate is a powerhouse of ntioxidants including polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins. Consider it a cellular spa day.

5. Avocados

Avocados contain a chemical called glutathione, which detoxes the liver of synthetic chemicals and blocks carcinogens in the body. Not to mention the healthy fats, folate, and fiber. Avocados won’t make you fat so don’t be meager with their use–add them to everything.

6. Beets

Beets are a blood purifier and they boost the body’s cellular intake of oxygen. Bottom line–beets are overall body cleansers. Roast a batch up and add them to all your favorite meals like risotto, salads, or a quinoa dish. And they add such great bright color to all your favorite dishes.

7. Lemon

Consider using lemons as your acid source. Lemons are excellent liver detoxifiers because they are a source of glutathione (so mix them up with your avocado for double dose of the stuff!). They also contain vitamin C which is great for reducing cell damage due to pollution and other environmental toxins.

The best way to clean up your diet is by gradually adding in cleaner foods. Gradual replacement of foods is much easier than just taking away foods that aren’t good for you. The more gradual the changes you make in your diet, the more likely you’ll be able to maintain them.

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