Diet, Detox, Fasting or Cleansing?

By on July 27, 2009

I saw few die of hunger – of eating a hundred thousand. Benjamin Franklin

There are different types of fasts and cleanses and all should begin and end with caution. You should not expect to go from eating a regular meal one day to fasting or cleansing the next. You can – BUT expect to be hungry and have unpleasant side effects.

What you’ve eaten days before will play a huge role (good or bad) in your experience and results IF YOU DON’T PREPARE. Therefore, the best way to avoid unpleasant side effects is to wean yourself off “regular” food for three days prior to a cleanse or fast by doing the following:

  • Day 3 – if you eat animal products, eliminate those on this day.
  • Day 2 – try to avoid all cooked food, and…
  • Day 1 – eat only raw foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, soaked raw nuts and seeds, fresh young coconuts, juices, smoothies, salads, sprouts, etc.

You are now ready to begin your fast and have liquids only. If you are doing a cleanse that does NOT require fasting, you can do a two-day countdown.

To ease your way out of a fast or cleanse, simply reverse the way you started. Some fasts have specific instructions on easing your way out. You may want to follow those the first time. Otherwise, do the following the first day after fasting or cleansing:

  • Day 1 – begin eating fresh raw fruits and vegetables (and their juices), salads, etc. Eating fresh raw cold soups or some broth that first day is great as well. Healthy meal ideas are provided in Part 3, Food For Thought (of my book).
  • Day 2 – this can be the first day of a healthier diet and lifestyle for you. You can begin introducing cooked foods.
  • Day 3 – if you eat animal products, this would be the very soonest to begin eating.

Chapter 13 of Age Less, Naturally! gives two more ways to end a fast. A word of caution… the longer a fast, the longer the time needed to reintroduce foods, especially any type of cooked food. Do NOT attempt to “reward” yourself (for all your hard work) by eating something horribly bad and clogging. You can feel quite ill – why put those addicting chemicals back in your blood? The longer you fast or cleanse the greater your addictions will have gone.

You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.  ~Julia Child~

About Carmen

Author, Coach, and Herbalsita POWERED BY: Real Food and barefoot walking/running. Connect with Carmen on Google+

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