When committing to a whole foods-based cleanse, many people are eager to jump in and start their detoxification program right away. But this means an integral and very important step is missed: pre-detoxification.Yes, a mini-cleanse before you start your cleanse.
It may seem unnecessary, but think of it like warming-up at the gym. It is always important to warm-up your muscles before a workout. The same goes for a cleanse. A pre-detox period preps your body for the following few weeks and helps maximize your success during the cleanse.
Why should you do a “pre-cleanse?”
The more processed foods, sugar, coffee, alcohol and other toxic substances you have consumed over the years, the more toxins your body as accumulated. According to the Clean Program, if you start a cleanse without a pre-detox period, you may experience stronger detoxification symptoms, including headaches, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
A pre-detoxification period will not only help you achieve better results from your cleanse, but it will also help minimize detox symptoms.
7 -Steps to Prepare for a Cleanse
We have a guest on our blog today! Our Certified Nutritionist, Celine Glasier, is here to share her favorite pre-detox tips.
- 3-7 days before a cleanse, begin cutting back on processed and additive-filled foods. Reducing your consumption of sugar, refined carbs, caffeine and alcohol prior will also help ease physical and mental the transition into a cleanse. Caffeine and alcohol in particular tax your adrenal glands and interfere with your liver’s detoxification process. Eliminating them prior to a cleanse will allow your body to increase its natural detoxification mechanisms.
- Increase dark, leafy greens and other vegetables in your diet. The darker the green, the more nutrient and phytonutrient dense the veggie.
- Drink plenty of water. Water is essential for cleansing and helps flush out toxins in our system. If you drink caffeine or exercise heavily, add an extra 8-16 ounces of water per day.
- Increase fiber intake. Having fiber in your diet encourages bile secretion, which is an important component of the liver’s detoxification processes. It also helps keep things moving through the digestive tract. Green vegetables, sweet potatoes, and berries are excellent plant based high fiber foods.
- Incorporate some kind of exercise into your routine, whether it’s a walk in the park, spinning or a yoga class. Movement is important when cleansing your system and increases circulation.
- Begin to understand your breath. Often when we are stressed or busy we breathe more rapidly without realizing it. Take a few moments throughout the day to breathe deeply into your lungs. One relaxing breathing technique is to take four full breaths in one minute. This practice is wonderful if you are stretching, about to go to bed or need to recharge.
- Avoid eating late at night. Late night eating can be taxing on your digestion and make you feel sluggish the next day. It can also keep you up at night as your body is continuing to digest instead of rest. Sometimes we mistake hunger for fatigue or thirst. Try having a glass of water and going to bed a bit earlier. Not only will you wake up feeling much more refreshed, this will be a wonderful habit to support you during your cleanse.
Cutting back on caffeine proving to be difficult? Try Celine’s delicious Cleansing Herbal Tonic in the morning, instead of coffee.
Whole Body Reset
Interested in a whole-foods based cleanse? Advanced Allergy Solutions is offering a virtual 10-day or 21-day group cleanse, hosted by Celine.
Here’s what you get when you join:
- Standard Process’s 10 or 21-day day Purification Program (cleanse kit, shopping list, recipes and whole food supplements)
- One-on-one and group support from our clinic’s nutritionist, Celine Glasier
- Access to a private Facebook group where you can interact with other people doing the cleanse
- Exclusive weekly nutrition, movement and lifestyle discussions hosted by Celine and our personal trainer, Ace Morgan.
- Private Q&A forum any questions you may have during the program
You can save your spot and purchase a cleanse HERE. If you are local to the San Francisco area, save on shipping fees and purchase your Whole Body Reset Kit at Advanced Allergy Solutions’ clinic in Hayes Valley.
The first 5 people to purchase their kit also get a FREE Whole Body Reset Companion Cookbook!
Any questions? Give us a call at 415-556-4700 or email us at info@aasclinics.com.