5 Helpful Tips To Prepare For A Raw Food Detox
by Tera Warner
I’ve given up on the idea that there is ONE right way to eat. The fact is, each of us are dealing with an entire history of experiences, most of which we’re not even conscious of, that continually affect our cells and their ability to operate efficiently and optimally.
I knew a woman who ate buckets of peanut butter for about a year and a half and SWEARS it brought her tremendous relief from depression. I know another woman who, if you breathe peanut on her, will collapse in a state of anaphylactic shock. The example is extreme, but the point is clear: two people can have very different reactions to the same food.
A simple raw food or whole food detox is a very empowering way to take a look at how your body responds to food, and make any adjustments necessary in the way you eat to keep you on the path to optimal health and vibrant living. Here are give tips to assist you in experiencing a successful 7-day detox:
Observe the Obvious
No need to drown yourself in piles of articles and nutritional debates. If your gums are sore, if your hair is falling out, if your energy is low, you have negative health indicators that indicate something isn’t right. Before you set off any medical fire alarms, or start popping pills unnecessarily, taking a good look at a few common sense factors affecting your health can go a long way to improving it.
As you prepare and proceed with a simple 7-day raw food or whole food detox, use your body’s cues and indicators and observe your reactions. Avoid intellectually overstimulating yourself with the latest guru-approved nutritional literature and just pay attention to your energy, mental clarity, digestion, etc.. Be willing to observe what is actually happening in your body, use the support and guidance of an experienced health coach or health advisor, and then do what feels truly right for you.
Dramatic changes in diet can trigger all kinds of reactions. Be patient. Observe the process and see what happens. While we all have similar physiology, how each of us responds to stress, relationships, communication, affects the entire system. While there are certain laws of nature to which we are all subject, very different family histories, environmental factors and emotional states will have an enormous influence on our overall ability to absorb, assimilate and digest foods, and to experience vibrant health and energy.
You know your body better than anyone, but still allow yourself to push your limits and fall outside of the comfort boundaries as you progress with the detox. What at first is uncomfortable, may quickly turn and become a new state of calm, control and clarity unlike anything you’ve experienced before in your relationship with food.
Avoid the Pre-Detox binge.
The attitude of: ‘Well, since I’m detoxing next week, I should just eat as much spaghetti and ice cream as I can this week’ is destined for disaster. Why double the workload? I mean, the point of a healthy spring detox is to give your body the opportunity to cleanse and rest and release some of the junk it has been storing up. Don’t double the workload for yourself by eating poorly leading up to it. Take the time to become more aware of your behaviours and attitudes around food, and go gently to prepare your body for what is to come.
You can do this by gently transitioning toward the detox. It’s no secret sugar and processed foods aren’t ideal contributors to vibrant health. Your commitment to move gently toward a healthier diet in preparation for your 7-day raw food or whole food detox will go a long way to improving your overall results! The detox will be more comfortable and you’ll get better results.
Hydrate.
As soon as you take your first bite of food in the morning, your appetite wheels start turning, and the digestive party gets started. Hold off. Hydrate first.
Hydrate in the morning with clean, spring water, then WAIT to eat until you’re hungry. Don’t just eat because it’s ‘time’ to eat, or because that’s just what you do. Observe your body’s reactions. Are you REALLY hungry? If you’re not sure if you’re REALLY hungry, then you’re not hungry. Waiting for real hunger is one of the most satisfying things you can do. If you’ve got to hit the road in the morning, pack a snack, hydrate some more, and get on with the production of the day until you feel genuinely hungry.
Just getting busy and being productive can take your mind off food. When true hunger kicks in, the message will come in loud and clear.
Simplify.
One of the best things about our 7-Day Raw Food or Whole Food Detox program is the SIMPLICITY. Honestly, this detox program is soooo great because it really will reveal to you what variety addicts we’ve all become. This idea of ‘meal preparation’ has gotten out of control. I mean, just pull out a plate, pile it high with sunflower seed sprouts, baby tomatoes and cucumber slices, and you’re set.
When you’re truly hungry, you’ll eat it and it will be delicious.
As you’re approaching the detox, start making efforts to simplify your foods. Limit the number of ingredients. During the detox, we’ll have several monomeals that will be completely satisfying in the integrity of their perfect simplicity.
Avoid Eating Late at Night
As you’re leading up to a detox program, start to give your body the rest it needs and avoiding eating late at night. As a single, self-employed mom, I know this situation too well. I’m often guilty of working until very late, and then giving in to late night snacks.
Sometimes we mistake hunger for fatigue. If you just hit the sack, you’ll wake up feeling much more refreshed, and as you prepare for the detox coming up, this will be a wonderful habit that will support you when the real thing comes.
There are plenty more tips we could cover, but baby steps, baby steps!
In our 7-Day Raw Food Detox we’ll be covering many more tips and tools for health and high-energy living. Take the time this week to start putting in place the habits and tools that will support you throughout your detox. By simplifying your foods, hydrating first thing in the morning and avoiding eating late at night, you’re already going to be well on your way to experiencing huge energy improvements.
That’s the juicy scoop for this week. We look forward to detoxing with many of you very soon.
With love,
p.s.
Our next 7-Day Raw Food Detox is starting on March 25th! Come join us and you will learn how a safe, effective cleanse will eliminate deep toxic buildup and restore your energy, vibrant health and digestion!