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Home > Healthy Living > Cleansing Cleansing Diet

THE CLEANSING DIET

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It is vital that all stages of this program be followed. Avoiding the proper beginning and end stages of a cleanse can be very harmful to the body. It is important that the body not be shocked by introducing a stage without preparation. If you have never done a cleanse before, plan a short one in order to become accustomed to it. Decide beforehand exactly how many days you are going to do your cleanse and stick to it. Some people find that once they’ve started they don’t want to discontinue. Plan ahead for this.

Stage One (3 days)
Eat the Optimal Diet (see below) if you are not already.

Stage Two (3-7 days)
• Start each day with the "Master Cleanser" - 2 Tbls. lemon juice, 2 Tbls. maple syrup, 1/10 tsp. cayenne, 1 cup pure water
• Eat only fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Try to be consuming as much variety as possible by including as many ‘colours’ as you can. Near the end of this stage you should be eating only raw foods including plenty of leafy green salads. Examples of what’s encouraged: Carrots, broccoli, romaine lettuce, yams, apples, oranges, bananas, avocados, strawberries, grapes, kale, tomatoes - be creative.
• Drink at least 8 cups of clean filtered water.

Stage Three (3-7 days)
• Start the day with the "Master Cleanser"
• Fresh organic fruit and vegetable juices and plain vegetable broths can be taken freely. Your vegetable broth should be unsalted and seasoned only with miso, light herbs, garlic, ginger, and cayenne. A great juice combination to try is carrot/beet/apple.
• A daily shake made with fruit juice, 2 tablespoons of psyllium husks (for fibre and cleansing), powdered spirulina or other ‘green’ powder (for protein and chlorophyll), powdered vitamin C (1000mg), and one teaspoon of bee pollen.
• 6 capsules of acidophilus (for healthy intestinal flora)
• One half cup of aloe vera juice (for colon cleansing)
• Drink up to 10 cups of water

Stage Four (2-4 days)
• Follow stage two instructions

Stage Five (Life)
• Follow the Optimal diet

OPTIMAL DIET
1. Eat small meals regularly throughout the day rather than 3 large ones. This helps keep your energy and blood sugar level, and helps you avoid overeating at mealtime.

2. Reduce your total fat intake, especially saturated fat. Learn which foods are high in fat and eat them in moderation.

3. Include sources of essential fatty acids in your diet every day.

4. Increase your whole grain consumption . Avoid refined 'white flours' - this includes pastas, crackers. and breads.

5. Increase fruit and vegetable consumption, eating what is in season and fresh. Aim for 6-10 servings a day.

6. Reduce animal products. A reduction leaves room in your diet for healthy, life-giving fruits, vegetables, and grains. Choose deep-sea fishes over other animal protein.

7. Minimize sugar consumption, especially white sugar (sucrose).

8. Avoid processed foods. Read labels carefully to identify additives, and buy fresh and natural whenever possible.

9. Drink at least 8 glasses of water or non-caffeine herbal teas. Coffee and soft drinks don't count.

10. Increase fibre by including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes like apples, oranges, potatoes, broccoli, beans, etc.

11. Avoid eating the same foods daily, particularly wheat, dairy, and citrus. Sensitivity may develop from frequent exposure. Learn to rotate foods.

12. Take a good multi vitamin and mineral supplement daily in addition to a good diet, not in place of one.

 

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes in Prenatal and Pediatric Health.