Food’s Role In Detoxification

Food Is Medicine and Food Heals

What we eat can support or hinder detoxification efforts. As Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, stated: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” With that thought in mind, what diet is best while detoxifying?

First Steps of the Detox Food Plan

The Detox Food Plan is designed to support the gut and also the liver, as the liver is the hub of detoxification processes.

The first step to support detoxification is to eliminate toxic foods. Processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, and foods with additives and artificial sweeteners are first on the list of foods to avoid (fast food, bright yellow boxed mac and cheese, sports drinks and soda are examples). 

Realizing that food is our medicine, clean (organic, when possible) food, not in contact with plastic or other contaminating elements, and not the major food allergens (gluten-containing foods, dairy, eggs, shellfish, soy, corn, and peanuts) are foods to have to start the healing.

Key Aspects Of The Detox Food Plan

1. Reduce food triggers;
2. Support detoxification and elimination pathways;
3. Phytonutrient density for optimizing gut, liver, and kidney function; 
4. Support liver function with high-quality protein; 
5. Lower the body burden of exposure to toxins by focusing on clean and organic foods; 
6. Provide targeted antioxidants to support hepatic detoxification enzymes and biotransformation of toxins; and
7. Balances hormone metabolism. 

Found on the Detox Food Plan

1. Healthy fats and oils;
2. Nuts and seeds;
3. High-quality proteins;
4. Non-starchy vegetables;
5. Legumes;
6. Dairy alternatives (nut and grain milks);
7. Starchy vegetables;
8. Fruits; and
9. Certified gluten-free whole grains.

Sample Meal Plan

Our tip for meal planning is to take the Food List and find the foods you enjoy. Create meals using those items you like. As you feel adventurous, try new items.

To help spark your creativity, here is a sample meal plan: 

Breakfast: Detox Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup berries

1-2 tablespoon Core Restore detox powder 

1 cup dark, leafy greens (e.g., arugula, broccoli leaves, collard greens, kale, watercress, etc.)

 2-3 ounces carrot juice

4 ounces green tea

1 to 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice

3 ounces tomato juice

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender. Pulse blender a few times, then blend until desired consistency is reached.e

Lunch: Protein of choice (for example, hard cooked egg, chicken, or salmon) salad filled with a rainbow color of vegetables (such as, red bell peppers and tomatoes, shredded purple cabbage, shredded orange carrots, green spinach and kale, yellow squash, and scallions), on dark greens, mixed with cooked quinoa, garbanzo beans and pumpkin seeds, and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.

Dinner: Poached salmon on a bed of steamed vegetables. 

Share with us your favorite detox food plan meals!