PATRICK HOLFORD’S 9 DAY DETOX PLAN

I have had numerous requests for a detox diet that works, and since Patrick is the international nutrition guru, his detox works a charm! Detoxification is as important to your body as eating the correct foods.

When your liver is functioning properly, you feel good, look good and it slows down the rate at which you age! Most inflammatory, allergic or metabolic disorder can be caused by or as a result of impaired liver function. Just like we need a break every now and then, well so does your body. So, giving the body a break from toxins such as alcohol, pollution, refined foods etc will help your body heal and rejuvenate. A yearly detox for a week to nine days can make a huge difference to your energy levels.

Certain foods need to be consumed in abundance:

fruit (apricots, berries, citrus, kiwi fruit, paw paw, mango, melon, red grapes)
vegetables (artichokes, peppers, beetroot, brussel sprouts, broccoli, red cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, watercress, bean and seed sprouts)

Certain foods need to be eaten in moderation:

grains (brown rice, corn, millet, quinoa – no more than twice a day)
fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, trout – no more than once a day)
oils (extra virgin olive oil for cooking instead of butter, cold pressed seed oils for dressings)
nuts and seeds (one handful per day of raw, unsalted nuts and seeds. Choose from almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pecan nuts, sunflower seeds, pimpkin seeds, sesame seeds and flax)
potatoes and bananas (limit to one portion per day/ every other day)

Avoid:

all wheat products
meat, eggs and dairy
salt
bad fats
artificial additives (sweeteners, food preservatives and additives)
dried fruit

Start your detox on a weekend and combine it with exercise (25 mins per day). Drink at least 2 litres of water per day (You can also drink herbal teas or dandelion coffee). Have 250ml of fruit or vegetable juice per day (eg carrot and apple juice). Supplement your diet with 2 multivitamins, 2 grams of Vitamin C, 2 antioxidant complexes and 2g of MSM. Also have a shot of aloe vera juice daily. Expect to feel lousy for a day or two, especially if you are eliminating foods that you were allergic to, or were dependent upon.