We all like to eat a little too much around the holidays. It’s part of many cultural traditions to prepare elaborate dishes with lots of meat and cheese, as well as baked goods and deserts. After all the heavy meals we usually set quite high goals for our bodies as part of out New Year’s resolutions. All of this turns out to be a short feast for the senses but a big burden for our bodies that have to deal with all the extra weight we’ve put on. You may not feel it but usually the digestive system needs a good detox program after the holiday season. It is more than a good idea to start your year with a few days of detox practices.

Shorty after we’ve had extra amounts of fats and sugar we go back to our normal diet and we notice that out digestion isn’t working properly. Most people start making plans on losing weight about this time. 

The good news is that you don’t have to put yourself through tough regimes and diets or spend hundreds of hours in the gym in order to fit into your old pants. Your body has its mechanisms to self-regulate after periods of stress on the digestive system. What you can do is help it go through the process of detoxifying with ease. 

This article presents a compiled list of expert advice on how to go back to your normal digestive function after the holiday season. We’ve chosen detox techniques that are easy and even pleasant to do. 

Wake up with a warm cup of lemon water

Start your day with a cup of warm water with lemon juice or make enough of it to last you through the day. Warm lemon water alkalizes the body, helps the metabolism and suppresses appetite. Hydration is also a good detox practice. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps the liver and kidneys to get rid of any toxins.

You can also add a cup of warm green tea at the beginning and end of your meal. This will help with metabolism and digestion. Fennel tea is also a great choice, since it relieves indigestion and all its symptoms (bloating, gas, constipation, heartburn and even irritable bowel syndrome). This sweet herb stimulates the digestion and removes all the excess gas from the intestines.

Try intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is an easy way to make use of fasting practices without actually starving yourself. In order to do intermittent fasting, have your last meal for the day around 7 p.m. and start your morning with a nice cup of tea or coffee, instead of breakfast. Go without food for about 16 hours and make sure to drink plenty of water. The “starvation period” makes the body burn fat tissues in order to keep its energy levels optimal. This way you lose weight and give your digestive system so time to restore itself.

Focus on more fruits and vegetables

This is a simple rule that applies not only when you’re detoxifying. Vegetables as a food group can do amazing things for your body. You can eat them in salads, soups, as side dishes or as a part of a daily smoothie. 

While detoxifying choose fruits with less sugar and calories. Focus on vegetables and plant-based protein. Detox programs do not allow you to have dessert ot foods that are too salty. However, you can always substitute with a piece of fruit or a nice salad. 

For best results eat fresh fruit. This can be quite challenging if your sugar craving is strong. Just remember that in a couple of days your desire for sugar will subside and a banana will be sweet enough. We all know that cookies, chocolate bars, and cakes are full of empty calories and do not benefit the body in anyway. Fruit on the other hand, provide lots of vitamins and minerals.

Exclude salt from your menu for some time

Detox from salt is a great idea, especially if you usually eat a lot of it. Avoid foods that are rich in salt, such as soy sauce, ketchup, and store-bought dressings. These can be problematic for people who are gluten intolerant, as well. 

There are many seasonings that contain extra salt or sodium, too. Make sure you read the label before buying such products. You can substitute them with fresh or dried herbs and freshly squeezed lemon juice to add more flavour to your dishes.

Say bye to unhealthy carbohydrates

Avoid refined and starchy processed foods. Substitute them with good proteins and fast, fresh or cooked vegetables. Add more whole grain rice and good seeds to your diet. 

Resist the temptation

Your fridge is full of food that are not suitable for your detox program? It is easy to get tempted by a piece of cake or a couple of cookies. However, you know that this will not benefit your body and will actually build more toxins in your digestive system. Instead of trying to completely avoid the “bad foods” find substitutes for them. Cook your food at home and add as many fruits and veggies to your diet as possible.

Don’t forget to work out

Exercising on its own is not considered a detox technique. However, working out can be very beneficial to your detox program. Sweat removes excess toxins from some bodily tissues and stretching can be very beneficial to send more oxygen to all organs and systems.

When it comes to sport, perhaps you don’t know where to start. Avoid high-intensity workouts and give more priority to interval-based training. A good start will be to have 15 seconds of high-intensity exercise followed by a 20 second interval of rest. This way a 10-minute workout becomes as effective as a 30-minute one. High intensity cardio exercises are not the best idea. Instead, focus on having a steady pulse throughout your practice and add some yoga or pilates classes to your schedule. 

As we mentioned earlier, exercising is a great way to get rid of toxins through the sweat. You may be surprised by the fact that most of the toxins in our bodies are held in the layers of the skin. That’s why there is nothing better for your skin and body health than working up a good sweat. In this sense, sauna is also a good idea but in moderation.

Don’t forget your daily dose of enzymes and fibres

After all the delicious meals you had during the holidays, your digestive system most likely is running low on digestive enzymes and fibres. Some vegetables and beans are rich in these nutrients. You can also provide them through dietary supplements like

ProteoZyme – 40 tablets

CorEnzyme – 60 capsules 300mg

Add extra antioxidants to your diet

Did you know that alcohol, as well as some medications, can kill the antioxidants in your body which in turn can increase the levels of oxidative stress? Whether your social calendar is full of events ot you enjoy the occasional glass of wine, it is important to add more antioxidants to your diet. Good sources of these nutrients are blueberries, blackberries, beans, as well as green tea.

Dandelion root - what is it

Since we opened the antioxidant topic, we would like to introduce you to dandelion root. Dandelions are rich in a few different types of antioxidants that benefit cellular rejuvenation. Dandelion root contains certain compounds that are beneficial for the growth of healthy gut bacteria. This not only improves digestion but also aids the body’s immune system. Recent research proves that dandelion root protects the liver from oxidative stress and the damage that many medications impose on this vital organ.

Dandelion flower is one of the best sources of digestive lecithin. This compound has various functions in the body. It increases the levels of acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter that benefits memory. You can find dandelion supplements or you can enjoy this herb as a tea. The recommended daily dose of dandelion root varies from 500 to 2000 mg a day (as tea or as a supplement). For short-term use take daily for at least two week.s 

Aid your detox with some celery juice 

Celery juice has numerous benefits for the body. It has anti-inflammatory properties and destroys pathogens of different kinds. It has been proven to be effective against EBS. Celery juice is rich in luteolin - a compound that can decrease the production of cytokines by 90%. Cytokines are responsible for inflammatory responses in the body. 

This magical juice is highly hydrating and alkalizing. It is a perfect way to balance the body’s pH levels, as well as neutralise acidity. Balanced pH is vital for healthy cell function and optimal mineral levels. Low levels of acidity are related to decreased risk of heart disease, better bone density, decreased inflammation, improved immune functions, and weight loss. 

Celery juice is rich in natural sodium and enzymes. Natural sodium helps the body to absorb nutrients from food. Enzymes, on the other hand, increase gut acid levels that aid digestion and prevent food fermentation in the intestine. The sodium and potassium in the juice are natural diuretics. 

As you can see, detox can have many shapes and forms. All of the tips and tricks we have provided can be easily achieved without purchasing expensive products or drastically changing your lifestyle. All you have to do is exercises your will and follow the instructions for a chosen period of time - 7 to 14 days. 

This goes to show that detox programs don’t need to be extremely expensive or restrictive. The combination of a few simple methods can have amazing results for your digestive system and overall health. Detoxification will also work wonders for your immunity, skin condition and general energy levels. 

If you didn’t have the time to do your post holiday season detox in January, you can still do it in February. After a few weeks of excess eating, partying, skipping gym and changing your sleeping pattern, it is easy to get discouraged. Just remember that we all go through times of feeling bad about not taking care of our bodies. It is never too late to start a healthy diet and get in shape.