Dr. Amy's Spring Detox

With Summer approaching, Spring can be a great time for a detox. A detox can help with energy levels, weight loss and gives our body a break from toxins. It is also a great lead in to healthy eating. There are so many different detox programs out there that it can be overwhelming to choose which one is right for you. This detox is simple, basic and effective. You can do this for 14 days or for even better results, extend it to 28 days.

Before you officially start your detox, begin weaning yourself off of coffee rather than going "cold turkey". During the detox, coffee is off limits. Also, increase your water intake. You must be drinking 1/3 of your body weight in ounces of water per day. Add an additional 8 ounces for each hour of exercise that you do.

Instead of focusing on what you can't have, we will focus on what you CAN have. Try to stick to these foods only during your detox.

• Start each morning with a cup of warm water, add the juice of one half of a lemon.
• Foods to include in your diet are fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, meat and fish, fats, and spices.
  • FRUIT: unsweetened fresh or frozen, except oranges
  • VEGETABLES: Raw, steamed, sautéed or roasted, except corn
  • NUTS and SEEDS: Almonds, cashews, walnuts, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. All of these can be made into nut butters. Avoid peanuts.
  • MEAT and FISH: Chicken, turkey, wild game and lamb. Avoid beef, pork cold cuts, frankfurters, sausage, canned meats and eggs.
  • FATS: Olive, flax, safflower, sunflower, sesame, walnut, pumpkin, coconut and avocado oil. Avoid margarine, butter, shortening and processed oils.
  • SPICES: All spices can be used but no condiments such as ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise. 
• NO sugars should be in your diet except for the fruit that you eat.

During your detox period, add in mild daily exercise such as walking or yoga. Exercise dramatically increases blood and lymphatic circulation which moves toxins into circulation for elimination by the various elimination channels. In general, listen to your body's guidance. Don't push it; work with it. Adequate sleep and stress reduction are important to the success of your program. Your body is recharging and regenerating; help it by getting adequate rest!

Detox programs are not advised for women who are pregnant. If you are planning to conceive, check out our blog about a preconception detox. At Health Foundations Birth Center, we have Certified Nurse Midwives and Women's Health Nurse Practitioners that can do women's health visits and preconception visits. They can discuss more with you the benefits of cleansing your body for general purposes as well as preconception.