Tips And Recipes For A Healthy Detox Diet

According to Maria Marlowe, certified nutritionist and author of Detox Without the Deprivation, the most important part of detoxing is getting enough water. "Water is the number one detoxifier," says Marlowe, "so watermelon, which is mostly water, makes a great part of a detox plan. We eliminate many toxins through urine, which is why it's important to drink adequate water (at least 2.2 liters for women, 2.5 for men) per day, and eat water-dense foods (fruits and vegetables) every day, but especially while on a detox."  

The holidays can wreak havoc on even the strongest stomachs. Susan Schenck, author of The Live Food Factor, recommends cleaning your system with a quarter cup of beet juice. "Eating beets is very good for digestion," says Schenck. "Beets are a wonder cure for constipation." 

Believe it or not, mate tea has some wonderful detoxifying properties, and it won't make you jittery like coffee does. According to registered dietician Lisa Hugh, "Mate tea is very nutritious, full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. Its caffeine is very well tolerated by most people and causes less jitters and upset stomach compared to other caffeinated beverages."

Most of us feel a bit bloated after heavy holiday meals. One natural way to feel more comfortable in your skin is to eat endives and fennel, says Dr. Carolyn Dean, medical advisory board member of the Nutritional Magnesium Association. "The bitter alkaloids and fiber in endive make it a good liver and bowel detoxifier," Dr. Dean says. "Fennel seeds are good for [reducing] flatulence or constipation, and to chew after a meal for the breath and digestion."