Jumpstart Your Fitness: With foods that help you detox

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Mar 24th 2008 6:00AM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Now that spring is officially here and Easter has come and gone it's the perfect time to embrace some clean and healthy habits to coincide with the fresh new season -- and to get you on track to have an awesomely fit summer (bikini panic anyone?).

Some people swear by detoxing and doing regular "detox diets" in order to flush toxins out of their bodies, but even if you're not ready to commit to something that serious you can still get some of the benefits just by incorporating certain foods into your diet and boosting your body's own natural detox system: the liver.
The top 10 detox foods(click thumbnails to view gallery)

The Top 10 Detox Foods:

Green Leafy Vegetables
However you like to eat them (the fresher and rawer the better) the chlorophyll in green leafy veggies helps clear environmental toxins like pesticides from your system, while also helping to protect the liver.

Lemons
Drinking fluids is essential to keeping your system clear of toxins, and the vitamin C found in lemons (lemonade, lemon water) works wonders when it comes to converting those toxins into easily flushed water-soluble forms.

Watercress
Watercress moves things out of your system by acting as a diuretic, plus it's rich in minerals.

Garlic
Garlic is good for a lot of things, one of which is activating liver enzymes to help clear out garbage faster.

Green Tea
Green Tea is also good for a lot of things in your body, and for detoxing it has catechins (they speed up liver activity).

Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts have 20-50 times more cancer-fighting and enzyme-stimulating power than the regular, grown up plants do.

Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds help protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol and other toxins. And if you want more than just what comes on your hamburger bun try tahini, a sesame seed paste commonly used in Asian dishes.

Cabbage
The liver uses two main detoxifying enzymes -- and cabbage activates them both!

Psyllium
Full of soluble fiber it helps "mop up" toxins and flush them out of your body. Either mix it into juice or have it in cereal for breakfast.

Fruit (all kinds)
Full of detoxifying vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, fruit is great pretty much across the board.

Source

Comments (22)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Alex 3-24-2008 @ 2:11PM

cool

Natalie 3-24-2008 @ 4:54PM

Ellen............you mentioned Bobskinsoap. Do you get it online? And do you know if it helps Psoriasis??

Michael 3-24-2008 @ 4:39PM

I started a detox diet a few weeks ago and have lost a little bit of weight. I have cut out a lot of refined sugars and greasy foods and I feel like I have so much more energy!

http://cleanseparasites.com

Natalie 3-24-2008 @ 4:57PM

Has anyone ever tried the Almighty Cleanse detox program?? It`s From kevin Trudeau`s Natural Cures website. Just wondering if it works........

Connie 3-24-2008 @ 5:50PM

most people I know are using portionpals and loving it

Dave C 3-24-2008 @ 6:19PM

You say people swear by the detox diet, I'm sure it helps out but we all know there are people out there who swear about anything . You know given a placebo and they swear that they feel sooo much better now,those placebos are a miracle drug for certain people.Hey if it works it works that is the name of the game.

Dave C 3-24-2008 @ 6:32PM

Connie,would you please expand on what you mean by portionpals ,for us dummies ?

girly 4-01-2008 @ 6:53PM

i've heard that after ur diet, you have trouble consuming meat

Diane 3-24-2008 @ 7:15PM

To respond to the post on Kevin Trudeau, I saw a huge expose show on him, and evidently he is a total fraud in everything he has ever done. He has been sued SO many times, and even put in jail for his outrageous claims that have in many cases ended up hurting people. I would say if you are looking or a detox diet look anywhere but with that guy. Who knows where his info came from. I drink a detox tea by Yogi that seems to flush my system, and follow weight watchers online program. I have lost 20 pounds so far and still going. I kinda think like Oprah on this one, anything will work if you stick with it and add some exercise, but some things are just healthier for your body. That is why I stay away from fad diets like no carb and all that, because we need carb for healthy function, and instead follow weight watchers which is essentially a balanced diet. Good luck to all who are trying to trim down and tone up, I know first hand how hard it can be!

mizcarey 3-24-2008 @ 7:34PM

I'm not Trudeau's biggest fan, but his legal problems all seem to stem from his taking on the FDA, drug companies, etc. There's too much $ to lose if we eat right rather than take their drugs.

Ellie 3-25-2008 @ 8:57AM

I am 46 yrs old and have had sluggish energy for the past 6 yrs or so and have gained 5 lbs every year for the past 10. I have tried every diet out there to no avail. Very discouraging! I finally took myself to Red Mountain Spa in St George, Utah and started a detox eating plan out there. If you go to their web page they have a whole list of foods to eat for detox and foods to avoid. It's been a month now and I feel so much more energized; I am eating healthier than I ever have. And the best part is I actually enjoy my workouts and can't wait for the next day! What has helped me is cutting out all wheat ( I have a wheat intolerance) and sugar, eating more fish and leafy veggies. And I read an amazing book that changed my way of exercise (which is why I enjoy it so much now) called Slow Burn by Stu Mittleman. This is not a diet for me...it is a new way of eating for the rest of my life. And I love the way I feel. Dry skin brushing is another great way to detox your body. Works with the lymphatic system. Everyone is different...you just have to find what works for you.

Tanya 3-24-2008 @ 8:00PM

I am a personal trainer and believe in drinking lots and lotas of water for detoxing and ridding your body of chemicals and artificial sweetners...especially diet sodas and fake sweetners.

I also believe in sweating and in getting in lots of walking

I love recommending smartsoles to my clients
http://www.smartsole.com.

It is a 3/4 insole (does not need to be cut to fit) that fits in all
sneakers and most walking shoes. It tones muscles and increase
calories burned with every step.

I hate most vitamin waters that add calories when regualr water for
hydration would suffice.

CJ 3-24-2008 @ 8:07PM

I have two chronic conditions and for the past year have detoxed my body and changed the way I eat and what I use. I actually used colonics and lost 40 pounds that I had gained from medication. There are alot of holistic alternatives that work and you need to research them. My supplements work for my conditions (Interstitial Cystitis and Endometriosis) and I eat better. I have read Kevin Trudeau and he did some of the things I did and used some of the supplements I did. People have to learn to educate themselves and take care of themselves and not look to someone else to do the work for them. Detoxing works if it is done correctly.

tee 3-25-2008 @ 2:21PM

hi c
i also have 2 chronic blood problems, and a friend of mine has that endinotris really bad . Mine is that my liver is at the end stage does not or say it is not working but a third of cupasity and my diabeties is doing the rest . then my arthritis in my spine is worse hum this detox system does sound wonderful if you can just stick to it , i myself have been fighting for almost 25 yrs now have tryed it all and i found you do the right foods like this it is the best all around you have to test and find the right foods for your ailments . like fruits, water , vegs, fish, chicken, natural foods not stuff that is frozen and has all that added stuff in it .. do like the freash not frozen .. you have a farmers market or a farm go to it fresh eggs are better that them old white eggs been laying in store . fresh butter is better than veg oil .

katya 3-24-2008 @ 8:19PM

I've cut out bread, crackers, etc., no fast food, and no prepared food. I've been trying to stick to just fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and nuts and seeds. I lost some weight pretty easily at first, but if I'm not pretty strict about it, not much happens. I do feel like I have more energy. It's not hard in that I don't feel deprived, but I have to plan so well and make sure I have the right foods. Otherwise, it's too easy to grab something quickly when I'm in a hurry and eat something I shouldn't.

katya 3-24-2008 @ 8:19PM

Is there a good colon cleanser someone could recommend?

Natalie 3-24-2008 @ 9:03PM

Ellie...........in regard to the skin brushing...........what kind of bristle brush should be used, and where could one get it from?? Thanks

marcie0305 3-24-2008 @ 10:17PM

Great Post! I'd like to emphasize "the fresher and rawer the better" - we all need a little (or a lot) of "detox" - but it's really about getting all the "crap" out of your system (definition of "crap": stuff that you are "told" to eat and/or is readily available to you when you are in a hurry.)

Please eat the way mother nature intended :)

~Marcie
http://feedingblackmail.blogspot.com/