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Never follow the diet for more than two or three days, and never take any laxatives or herbal products that can interfere with your bowel or kidney function, she says.
A basic cleansing diet should make you feel a lot better and give your body a chance to rest from overindulging.
You can use this basic cleansing diet whenever you feel that the excesses of eating, drinking and partying are damaging your health, but never exceed the two-day limit.
Note that if you go in this diet and you're in a stressful job, rather do it over the weekend or when you're on holiday, as the diet can leave some of us initially feeling faint and tired.
The 4 basic rules
Rule 1: Rest
If you're going to clean out your system, take a day or two off and rest because the cleansing diet can make you feel tired and could interfere with activities like driving.
Spend the day relaxing, listening to soothing music, reading and sleeping to recharge your batteries. Meditating and doing relaxing exercises are also excellent ways of restoring harmony to the body and soul.
Remember to switch off your computer, TV and cellphone to block out irritating stimuli that can detract from your relaxation.
Try arranging an aromatherapy or reflexology session as a special treat, or indulge in a facial. If you can persuade the therapist to treat you in your own home, you'll derive the greatest benefit and avoid having to drive.
Read: what to eat for a really restful sleep
Rule 2: Liquid
Drink a lot of fluid, but let thirst still be your quide. Clean water, spring water, diluted fruit juices (without preservatives), fresh fruit and vegetable juices whipped up in a food processor, and iced rooibos tea with lemon and honey, are all excellent liquids to detoxify the body.
A high liquid intake helps to flush out the liver, the kidneys and the bowel.
Fruit cocktail:
Wash and cut up any combination of the following fruits:
- Apples
- Pineapple
- Sweet melon (spanspek)
- Pawpaw
- Grapes
- Mango
- Peaches
- Plums
- Guavas
Remember to remove pips and use seedless grapes. Liquidise fruit with one to two tablespoons of honey, and drink immediately. Add ice cubes or crushed ice, but don't store these smoothies for long periods (not even in the fridge, as vitamin C is easily destroyed by exposure to light and air).
Add carrot or beetroot to boost beta-carotene and bioflavonoid content.
Read: how to shop for the best veggies
Rule 3: Dietary fibre
If you feel that you need more than liquids to sustain you during the cleansing period, concentrate on eating foods rich in dietary fibre to clean out the bowel.
The following foods are the best sources of dietary fibre: fresh, raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, wholewheat bread, high-bran cereal, oats, brown rice, wholewheat crackers and snack breads.
Soak dried fruit in boiling water overnight and boil in soaking liquid until soft. Add one to two tablespoons of honey. Add fruit and liquid to oatmeal porridge for a delicious, fibre-rich breakfast.
Read: 8 common misconceptions about fibre
Rule 4: Avoid
Don't use this diet if you suffer from any illness, or have problems such as heart disease, diabetes, low blood sugar, kidney problems or any other serious condition.
Don't exert yourself while using the diet. So, all strenuous activities, exercise and working are taboo.
Avoid all stimulants such as alcohol, Ceylon tea, coffee, cola drinks, carbonated cold drinks, chocolate, cacoa and cigarettes.
Avoid all stressful situations and contact with the busy outside world. Concentrate on regenerating your batteries and purifying your system.
Health24
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