There is a debate around whether a detox works or not. In my opinion, it works, but people react differently and maybe, just maybe it does not work for someone. I think the only reason it does not work is because of the bad stuff that you are removing that tastes so damn good.
I have done a few detox days/weeks in my life and every time it did make a difference to my body and what I put into it.
The only difference with this detox was that I could basically eat whatever veggies, fruit and protein I wanted to. I was not limited to only fish and chicken instead of pork and beef, however chicken and fish is preferable. Also, breakfast and lunch could be substituted with a healthy shake or smoothie or you had your chewable food option if you do not like the shake. Fantastic, works for everyone.
What was the type of stuff that I had to avoid? Carbs or in other words bad carbs and processed food/meat.
The “Please avoid List”:
Protein:
- Processed and canned meats e.g Salami
- Sausages
- Cured or smoked meats
- Soy Products
Dairy:
- Butter
- Casein
- Cow’s Milk
- Cream
- Goat’s Milk
- Ice Cream
- Soy Milk or Yoghurt
- Whey Protein
- Yoghurt
Grains:
- Barley
- Rye
- Wheat
- Spelt
Beverages:
- Coffee max 1 cup per day
- Ceylon Tea
- Fruit Juice
- Fizzy Cooldrinks
Herbs/Spices/Dressings and Condiments:
- BBQ Sauce
- Chutney
- Tomato Sauce
- Mustard Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Tamari
- Teriyaki Sauce
Bad Fats:
- Hydrogenated fats
- Trans fats
- Processed and refined oils e.g mayo, salad dressings, salad spread
- Peanut Oil
I also did not have any potato, bread, crackers, pasta, rice or any form of these type of carbs. My body honestly loved me.
What did I have to eat? Basically what did my menu look like? A typical day would be:
Breaksfast: Shake
Lunch: Shake or a smoothie
Dinner: Protein and Veggies/Green Salad or soup as my veggies.
I drank 1.5L – 2L of fluids a day. This includes water and flavoured, decaf tea without milk only low calorie sweetener and a little bit of honey.
What did my body do?
I kept a notepad and wrote down only the first week of “feelings”. I started with the 2nd week, but did not really have any “feelings” as my body quickly got used to it.
Detox Week 1
Monday: None
Tuesday: It was a very cold day and I wanted to eat everything! I was hungry just before dinner and I had a headache in the evening.
Wednesday: I still had a headache in the morning. I missed and craved my coffee the most. I started peeing like a race horse and I sorted my tea cupboard. I still had a headache I the evening and I think I started sweating tea.
Thursday: I was at one point so thirsty, but that was because I did not have enough fluids during the day and the headache in the evening subsided after I had my fluids.
Friday: Everything was turning to be normal but I almost did myself in on the smoothie. I thought 2 servings means 2 servings so meaning you can make two and have one now for lunch and maybe the other one for dinner or breakfast, BUT I was so wrong. Half a portion or 1 serving is actually for a snack and 2 servings is a lunch. Shoe, almost lost out there hahaha
Detox Week 2
Monday: It was really bad. I craved everything I could not have. I was looking for that warmth.
Tuesday: I really struggled. Again it was a very cold day and all you want is comfort food. Hot soups, bread, pasta, you name it. My fluids was almost nothing and I really struggled taking in enough. Of course you develop a headache again.
From Wednesday I were settled in and I was very proud of myself as I did not have popcorn at the movies and when we went out for lunch (which happened twice in the 2 weeks) I chose healthy options.
What was the results?
– I got used to drinking a lot of fluids.
– My body craved fluids if I did not have enough.
– My headaches subsided.
– I did not have any cravings for the usual stuff I always craved.
– I felt more energetic, my sugar levels looked fantastic.
– I used very low dosages of insulin.
– I never got so hungry that I just jumped into the cupboard or fridge and started eating everything in front of me.
– I started sleeping better.
After the two weeks:
- I lost 3cm around my middle
- I dropped more than 1% in fat percentage
- I picked up muscle weight
We started experimenting with low carb/keto recipies and looking for meals that had very low to no carbs almost. We had a cauliflower pizza which was so yummy and it still felt like a pizza although it tastes more like cauliflower. It is filling and a good substitute in my book.
I am at the point where I do not want to add carbs back to my menu again. I felt so great without it and my body responded to it so good why mess with something that works.
There are many different detox options. One of them I would like to try is a juice detox. I have to be very careful though as I am not sure what the natural sugars will do to my sugar levels.
I am still kind of detoxing. Kind of, because I will still be drinking my shake in the morning for breakfast but I will have two corn cakes at lunch which is added today after I saw my dietician. Still there will be no carbs at dinner except in the form of veggies (Butternut,beetroot or Sweet Potato).
What do you think? Does a detox work? Have you ever tried it? Please let me know as I would love to exchange some ideas. Maybe you have a cool recipe to try. Stick it down in the comments below. I WANT new ideas and food!
E xx
The Travellingmind 