For some DETOX can be a scary word.
Before I understood the benefits of following a detox I stayed far away. There was no way I was going to starve myself, live on only water or juice all day – not for me!
Yet, after studying health and nutrition and dealing with my own health issues with food allergies and intolerances, I now see the importance. And, it’s not what I thought at all!
In short, a detox is not scary.
In reality, it’s necessary
in today’s world.
There are many ways and levels in which a person can detox, from a gentle detox to a big heavy metal detox best followed by a functional medicine doctor.
There are multiple detoxes one could follow:
- junk food and processed foods detox
- sugar detox
- gluten, dairy, and soy detox
- soda or sweet drinks detox
- electronics / technology detox
- detox from toxic people in your life
- news / media detox
Any way you look at it, a detox, or cleanse, is taking a break to reboot your body, mind, spirit, or life. A detox takes something out of your everyday life for as little as three days to a month or more. Then, you slowly reintroduce back what you took out, paying close attention to your body and mind to see how you react, if at all.
Take a minute to stop and look around at how we live each and every day. We are surrounded by toxins that are wreaking havoc on our bodies, some of which we can control, and others that are out of our hands.
Some things we can try to control toxins:
- How much and what kind of water we drink
- The foods we choose to eat or avoid
- Choosing organic over conventional foods
- Choosing grass-fed or organic meats
- Using air purifiers
- Choosing healthier personal care products, pots and pans, even cleaning supplies
Some things we cannot control about toxins:
- the air we breathe
- In some areas, the water we drink
- The chemicals on our food
- The materials in our homes and furniture, including toxins like mold
- The environment in our workplace
- Big companies dispensing toxins in the air – sprayed over fields or through smokestacks
The truth is that we are bombarded
with toxins every single day.
At www.laraadler.com, she shares that 84,000 chemicals are registered for use in the US and only 200 have been assessed for safety. And, now there is an average of 232 toxins found in umbilical cord blood. That is news to make us get up and change the way we are living.
Today, I don’t think that a detox is scary anymore. I think it’s imperative for our health at least once or twice a year.
Following a detox can bring
new health awareness
Most people go through their days, devouring whatever they feel like, not giving food much thought. Of course, most of you reading this (on my site Gluten-Free MARCKS The Spot) are probably following a gluten-free diet and do think about every bite you take.
Maybe still gluten-free, but possibly not always a healthy choice, right?
Even being gluten-free, one should still complete a detox. Yes, you have taken out gluten which is toxic to our bodies, especially if you have Celiac Disease or gluten-intolerance. Yet, even on a GF diet, you’re most likely consuming other toxins within the foods you’re still eating, as well as have environmental toxins around.
A detox can help you become mindful
Following a detox helps you clearly think about all the food you eat. It can bring awareness of how you’ve been eating and the habits you’ve formed over the years – good or bad. But overall, it allows you to really stop and think about your food consumption, and become mindful of your choices moving forward.
Following a detox can also pinpoint other allergies or intolerances you may not have been aware of previously, even if you are already gluten-free. Eliminating certain foods for a period of time, then slowly re-introducing them, is key to see how you feel. This helps show which foods may be causing issues and need to be cut out for a while to benefit your health.
Following a detox can create
healthier habits
Incorporating new things you try on a detox into your everyday life can help create healthier habits; more cooking at home, healthier eating, more exercise, or more self-care practices.
Smoothies have become part of my daily routine. They definitely change how I feel throughout the day, giving me more energy and an overall better feeling of health. I now even pack my Ninja with me when traveling. (You don’t need an expensive blender to make smoothies!)
Think about your lifestyle, your habits, and the foods you eat each day.
Do you need to stop and reboot?
Stop dieting and worrying about which one will work for you. Try a detox, or cleanse, and make lasting habits to create your healthy lifestyle.
Join me to learn more in the
Virtual Gluten-Free Clean Eating
Cooking Class
March 10th, 2021
