9 ways to detox naturally in the New Year

 

 We indulge a lot during this time of the year. All our good intentions on weight loss are thrown out of the window for now,  so one can drink and eat as much as you can. Now is the time to get back on track and detox! Here is how:

1. Stay hydrated with water. Water is part of every metabolic process in the body, and adequate water intake also helps keep the balance of body salts normal. Natural thirst should always be addressed. And remember that fruits and vegetables are almost all water, so 5-7 servings can boost your natural water intake. And the best way to tell if your water intake is adequate is to check the color of your urine. Pale yellow is the goal. If it’s any darker than that, drink a glass of water or two.

2. Limit caffeine – but there’s no need to eliminate it. Caffeine can be a boost for mental focus and energy, if limited to less than 300 milligrams per day. A large mug of coffee has about 150 milligrams of caffeine, so that’s about two servings a day. A mug of tea is around 50 milligrams, so that’s about six servings. When it comes to caffeine, the less often it is consumed, the more of a positive biological effect you can expect.
3. Extra credit: Avoid alcohol -- even red wine. Alcohol is not a health food, although some health benefits have been associated with moderate intake (that's a maximum of one serving for women and two for men daily). Alcohol is also a diuretic, which can be dehydrating. And it’s a double diet whammy, bringing both the extra calories and the lowering of mental focus to say no to higher-calorie foods. Plus a serving is not the size of the glass, and a 5-ounce glass of wine, 1 shot (1.5-ounce) of hard alcohol, or a 12-ounce beer doesn’t seem like much to many people. So, take the extra credit! You can choose to include a limited serving of alcohol daily, or as a weekend indulgence, but do your best to skip it.
4. Skip sugar – and low-calorie sweeteners. You want to ground zero your sweet taste buds with more limited intake of sweet of all kinds. Cut out sugary drinks, snacks, and treats, and you’ll be surprised how fruit will satisfy your sweet tooth. And taking a break from all low-calorie sweeteners helps you learn to tamp down your perception of sweetness.
5. Eliminate processed and prepared foods. As a general rule, don’t consume things that come in cans, boxes, bags or jars. Bonus points: Don’t eat in restaurants, either. Many restaurant foods may look healthy, but the food may have been prepared in unhealthy oils, or they may be drenched in a creamy sauce. Cutting out processed foods is the quickest and easiest way to limit excess (and often hidden) sugars, fats, and calories.
6. Break a sweat. Skin is the body’s largest organ, and sweating helps you eliminate excess body salts and other metabolites of body processes. Breaking a sweat every day is a good way to support your body’s healthy elimination of metabolic breakdown products.
7. Eat fiber. There are so many myths associated with “cleansing” the digestive tract, but your digestive tract actually wants to be stimulated, especially with fiber. Think of this as exercise for your gut. Fiber revs up your digestive tract -- it’s like nature’s Roto-Rooter. But stick to fiber that’s found in nature -- fruits, veggies and whole grains -- and skip the bulked-up processed products that claim to contain 50 percent of your daily fiber needs or more in ONE serving. Stick with nature’s fiber content, which is about 3-4 grams a serving, about 15-20 percent percent of your daily requirement.
8. Get some sleep. Aim for seven to nine hours every night. Adequate sleep supports and maintains a healthy brain. Recent studies continue to support the connection between amount of sleep and cognitive function.
9. Change your response to stress. While eliminating stress is not realistic, changing how your respond to daily stressors goes a long way to boosting a healthy body. Start with the concept to “stop and think” with a deep breath before you respond. Stress has both physical and mental effects on metabolic and behavioral activities. And simple steps like eating well, getting adequate sleep, and being physically active go a long way to helping you maintain the control you need to manage your stress more effectively.







Madelyn Fernstrom